Kohima: The Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford is set to repatriate 39 ancestral remains to the Naga people. This decision ends six years of negotiations led by the Recover, Restore and Decolonize team of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). The process signifies a massive shift in museum policy. The institution stopped displaying human remains to prioritize respectful dialogue.
Professor Dr. Laura Van Broekhoven, director of the museum, apologized for the colonial era actions that classified these ancestors as objects. She labeled these remains as having been held in derogatory categories like head hunters or savages. Describing the effort to return them to their homeland, Van Broekhoven told the press, "The remains have been away from their homeland for far too long." In other remarks, she called the ongoing work "humbling."
This movement addresses deep historical wounds. Colonial administrators seized these items without consent under the guise of racial science. For the Naga, this is not just about returning bones. It is a spiritual necessity. Naga cosmology views ancestors as living presences. Their removal caused a rupture in the sacred order. The upcoming return allows for proper burial rituals and prayers to restore peace.
The FNR views this as a path toward broader reconciliation. It bridges the gap between past and future. The project aims to heal trauma from colonial violence, militarization, and internal conflict. By reclaiming these remains, the Naga people move toward a unified future. This effort has gained global attention, with reports from the BBC, The Guardian, CBS, and various Indian media outlets. It stands as a landmark in the global struggle for cultural sovereignty.
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