Naga leaders initiate repatriation in Oxford

A delegation of Naga elders and leaders, along with representatives from the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and Recover, Restore, and Decolonise (RRaD), gathered at the Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM), University of Oxford, to initiate the repatriation of Naga ancestral human remains.
According to FNR, these remains, once displayed in the museum until 2020.
The delegation was welcomed by PRM Director, Professor Dr. Laura van Broekhoven, and her staff, marking a significant step toward reconciliation and healing.
Acknowledging the emotional depth of the occasion, Prof. van Broekhoven reflected on the museum’s long history with these remains and expressed hope that the process would bring healing to all involved.
Reverend Dr. Ellen Konyak Jamir, RRaD coordinator and FNR member, said that the delegation had arrived “with hearts heavy with history.” She emphasized that their mission was both sacred and necessary, as it represented an effort to reclaim the physical remains of Naga ancestors who had been taken away generations ago. Dr. Ellen praised PRM for its commitment to ethical stewardship and willingness to confront difficult histories.
During the opening proceedings, Dr. Visier Sanyü, an elder from FNR, led an Indigenous chant titled “Our Ancestor.”
The chant described the parting of a Naga ancestor from the creator and expressed hope that, through repatriation, the ancestor would return to its rightful place and aid in healing past wounds. Delivering the keynote address, Thejao Vihienuo, president of Angami Public Organisation, spoke on behalf of the Naga people, highlighting their long history between the Brahmaputra and Chindwin rivers. He said Nagas remained unconquered until the British invasion in the 19th century, which led to the division of their ancestral lands. Vihienuo underscored the importance of repatriation not just as a physical return but as a process of decolonization, recognizing the silent message conveyed by the ancestors whose remains had been kept at PRM.
The delegation was granted exclusive access to the ancestral remains, marking the first time such an opportunity had been provided since their removal from public display. In a solemn moment, Nepuni Piku from FNR led an incantation, invoking Blue Sky Father and Mother Earth, calling upon blessings, and formally announcing the presence of the delegation before the remains. As a gesture of respect, members laid traditional Naga shawls in homage to their ancestors.