Naga Tribal Leaders Make Oxford Declaration on Repatriation

Ukhrul, June 14: The Naga Oxford Declaration on Repatriation was made by Naga Tribe Hoho leaders on Friday, June 13, during a public session held at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History Lecture Theatre.

The Naga delegation, comprising senior leaders of Naga tribe Hohos from Naga territories, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), and the Recover, Restore, and Decolonise (RRaD) team, concluded a week-long series of events and activities aimed at repatriating ancestral human remains from the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University on 13 June 2025, a release stated.

The declaration, read at the Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, stated:

“We are grateful to our ancestors for being a testament and silently proclaiming the stories of our people.

We are sorry that it has taken us several decades, but we are here now to reclaim and return you to the homelands from where you were taken. We are committed to the process of your return from museums.

We acknowledge that this repatriation process is towards the healing and wholeness of the Naga people.
As Nagas, we do so in a united voice, with mutual respect and consensus and to offer you a dignified rest, establishing a Naga monument of healing and peace for all generations, symbolising the oneness of the Nagas.

We extend our solidarity to fellow Indigenous Peoples across the world who seek to undertake a similar journey of repatriation in the hope of bringing decolonisation, justice, and peace, not just for ourselves, but for humanity.

May God walk us on this journey.”

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The declaration was endorsed and signed by Thejao Vihienuo, President APO, Kumsang Bendangtoshi, Presidential Council Member, Tongor Luden Ao Senden, Talamong Khiamnuingan, Executive Chairman, Khianmuingam Tribal Council, A. Peihwang Wangsa, Representative of the Konyak Union, Ngongba Tange Thamlong Phom, Vice President, Phom Peoples Council, Dr Vihuto Asumi, President, Sumi Hoho, Jollyson Ronra Shimray, Vice President, Tangkhul Naga Long, and Dr P Ngullie on behalf of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.

Thejao Vihienuo, who read out the declaration, asked all Nagas present in the audience to stand in solidarity if they agreed. All the Naga representatives present, including the delegation, students, and visitors, stood in solidarity and gave their assent to the Declaration. The Declaration was then presented to Dr Laura van Broekhoven, the Director of PRM, it stated.