The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has expressed solidarity with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in its efforts to repatriate Naga ancestral remains currently housed at the Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM) in Oxford, England. In a statement, GNF highlighted the cultural and emotional significance of this initiative, describing it as a “sacred cultural mission” and a “necessary act of cultural recovery.”
“The journey home of the displaced Naga remains from distant shores is a significant and necessary act of cultural recovery. But it can mean more—if the Naga people are alive to the rich continuity of life, history, and cultures in their beautiful homeland, and are in tune with the indomitable and resilient spirit of their forebears for what is right, just, and good,” the statement said.
The remains, taken from Naga territory during the colonial period, are at the heart of an ongoing dialogue between the FNR and the PRM. The museum, which has committed to addressing historical injustices, has shown a willingness to engage with Naga representatives in this sensitive process. The GNF expressed gratitude for the museum’s cooperation, calling it a critical step toward mutual understanding.
GNF emphasized that this repatriation represents more than the physical return of ancestral remains. They described the initiative as a step toward “cultural restoration and reconciliation,” with the potential to heal divisions among Naga communities, many of which have been separated by “unnatural borders.”
In its statement, the GNF praised the FNR’s leadership in reclaiming the dignity of the Naga people. “The return of their forebears could also mark the beginning of today’s Naga people’s collective journey from past and present divisions and animosities toward understanding and healing, leading to the reclamation of their narrative as one people whose story has, for too long, been told by others—often poorly,” the statement read.
The GNF also urged Nagas to reconnect with their heritage, embrace the spirit of their ancestors, and work towards a shared future.
This statement follows the recent revelation of the planned auction of Naga ancestral human remains in the United Kingdom, which sparked widespread outrage across Nagaland. The FNR expressed deep concern after learning that a 19th-century Naga human skull, described as a “horned Naga human skull,” was scheduled for auction on October 9, 2024, by Swan Fine Art in Tetsworth, Oxfordshire. Valued between £3,500 and £4,000, the skull is linked to the Ex Francios Coppens Collection from Belgium.
The FNR condemned the auction as an “inhumane and violent practice” that perpetuates the colonial exploitation of Indigenous human remains. The skull is part of a broader sale titled The Curious Collector Sale, which includes antiquarian books, manuscripts, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and furniture.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the FNR called for urgent intervention to halt the auction, urging immediate diplomatic action to ensure the dignity of Naga ancestral remains is upheld. “Such auctions continue the policy of dehumanization and colonial violence against the Naga people,” the FNR stated.
In response, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio reached out to India’s Union Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, requesting swift intervention.
The GNF’s statement reflected a shared vision of unity among Nagas across international borders, stressing the importance of reclaiming not only their ancestral remains but also the legacy and narrative of the Naga people. “The FNR’s work is a timely reminder for Nagas spread across unnatural borders of the importance of reclaiming not only their dignity as one people with a shared history, but also a worthy legacy to live for and pass on to future generations,” the statement concluded.
The GNF also emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue, healing, and understanding between cultures. “We trust that the partnership between PRM and FNR will continue to foster mutual understanding and respect among people across seas and international borders,” the statement read.
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