Naga Delegation Visits Pitt Rivers Museum to Advance Repatriation of Ancestral Human Remains

Ukhrul, June 8: Naga delegation comprising tribal leaders, elders, and members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) team arrived at the Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM) in Oxford on Saturday in a historic and emotionally resonant initiative. The week-long visit, from June 8 to 14, 2025, marks a milestone in the ongoing process of repatriating Naga ancestral human remains currently held at the museum.

This is the first time in Naga history that a formal delegation has been hosted by the Pitt Rivers Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Naga artefacts, including 219 ancestral human remains. The delegation’s visit is rooted in fostering healing, dialogue, and collaborative efforts toward returning these remains to their rightful communities.

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Since 2020, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation has been actively facilitating this process by garnering the consent and active involvement of various Naga tribe hohos. As part of this effort, the FNR established the RRaD team to conduct participatory action research, aimed at raising awareness and building community support for the repatriation process. Their work also includes forging connections with other Indigenous communities across the globe engaged in similar efforts to reclaim ancestral heritage.

During the visit, the delegation will engage in co-learning sessions with museum staff, examine the conditions under which the remains are housed, and participate in in-depth discussions on the logistics, ethics, and future of the repatriation process. The emphasis, they stressed, is on ensuring a Naga-led process that honors Indigenous autonomy, cultural responsibility, and justice.

“This is more than just a visit; it is a step forward in rewriting and retelling our stories with dignity and truth,” said a representative from the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. “It is about confronting colonial legacies, restoring respect to our ancestors, and fostering a dialogue rooted in justice, healing, and reconciliation.”

The FNR acknowledged the Pitt Rivers Museum’s evolving institutional approach, particularly its “Committed to Change” and “Strategic Plan,” which aim to engage constructively with source communities and acknowledge colonial histories. The Naga delegation sees this institutional willingness as a sincere paradigm shift and a foundation for meaningful partnership.

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As this historic visit unfolds, the FNR has called upon the Naga public for solidarity and support, urging communities to actively participate in shaping a dynamic and inclusive pathway to repatriation. “The Naga response must be distinct yet globally relevant. This is not just about returning remains, it’s about restoring our dignity, sovereignty, and collective memory,” the FNR stated.

The Forum in its statement reaffirmed its openness to dialogue, suggestions, and constructive criticism, emphasising that the journey toward healing and justice is a shared one.