Naga delegation returns after repatriation talks

A Naga delegation comprising members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation’s (FNR) Recover, Restore, and Decolonize (RRAD) team and tribal leaders returned after a week-long visit to the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University, UK, to hold discussions on the repatriation of Naga ancestral human remains.
The museum had invited the delegation as part of its ongoing efforts to address colonial-era injustices involving ancestral remains and cultural artefacts.
Speaking to the media at Dimapur Airport on Sunday, RRAD coordinator Rev. Dr. Ellen Konyak Jamir described the visit a “historic moment” for the Nagas. She thanked the Naga people for their support and acknowledged the department of Art and Culture’s role in the journey’s success.
“We want to thank God for guiding us through this journey. It was a very meaningful and historic engagement for our people. We are especially proud of our tribal leaders who represented the different Hohos and communities with strength and dignity”, she said.
She appreciated the museum’s openness, noting that all human remains had been removed from public view and that policy changes were underway. “We acknowledge their courage in facing difficult histories,” she added.
Ellen also emphasized that the visit marks the start of a long international process. She pointed out that RRAD has spent the past five years building community awareness across districts, churches, and institutions.
The discovery of ancestral remains in foreign museums came as a shock to many in the community, she said. “They were treated as specimens and collectibles, which hurt us deeply. But we are determined to walk this path together.”
She added that the museum had shown genuine willingness to work with Indigenous communities and that the dialogue signals real institutional change.
The delegation also visited the British Museum, Cambridge University, Manchester University, Horniman Museum in London and the Bristol Museum. These institutions shared updates on collections in their possession, many of which include Naga ancestral remains and cultural items obtained during colonial rule. Most confirmed that human remains had been removed from public view, and that digitisation efforts were underway.
A public event was held on June 13 at the Museum of Natural History, Oxford, where Professor Arkotong Longkumer led a one-minute silence for air disaster victims. This was followed by a series of remarks and cultural ceremonies.
The event saw the presentation of the “Naga Oxford Declaration on Repatriation” signed by tribal leaders and Naga organisations, affirming their commitment to return ancestral remains and pursue healing for future generations.
Director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, Dr Laura van Broekhoven, said the delegation’s visit marked a shift from preservation to cultural care and dialogue.
Other speakers, including Dr Visier Sanyü, Thejao Vihienuo, and Dr Aküm Longchari, spoke on the need for truth, justice, and healing, and called on institutions like Oxford University to support the repatriation process.
A book titled “Healing of the Lands: Reflections & Dialogues on the Naga Repatriation Journey” was also released and presented to the museum by co-editors Dr Talilula Longchar and Dr Pangernungba Kechu.
The week-long engagement concluded with closing remarks by Prof Dolly Kikon, who commended the collective effort of the Naga delegation and called for continued partnerships rooted in healing, listening and co-learning.