Oxford Museum Repatriates 39 Naga Ancestral Remains, Confronting Colonial Past

The University of Oxford has formally agreed to repatriate 39 Naga ancestral human remains from its Pitt Rivers Museum, a landmark decision announced on September 5, 2026. The move, confirmed by the University Council on July 13, 2026, marks a significant moment in the ongoing global effort to address colonial-era injustices and foster reconciliation between institutions and Indigenous communities. This repatriation is heralded by Naga leaders as a crucial step towards confronting a century of colonial violence and restoring dignity.

The Pitt Rivers Museum, known for its extensive ethnographic collections, will return the 39 sets of human remains to their homeland. The University Council, however, declined one additional set of remains for repatriation due to insufficient evidence of its Naga origin, according to the research notes. The decision culminates a six-year process initiated by the museum itself.

Who drove this repatriation effort?

The repatriation process began in 2020 when Prof. Laura Van Broekhoven, Director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, proactively approached the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to facilitate the return. Prof. Van Broekhoven formally conveyed the University Council's decision in a letter to Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor of the FNR. She expressed hopes for continued collaboration, stating, "We hope we can now commence the work — together with the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, the Naga Tribe Hohos, and with the support of the Recover, Restore and Decolonise team — towards the bringing home of the Naga ancestors to their homeland." She further described the initiative as a "very unique combination of exceptional leadership and collaborative effort all working toward a shared vision of reconciliation, peace and healing."

Guiding the effort was the Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) research initiative, established by Naga academics Prof. Dolly Kikon (based in the United States) and Prof. Arkotong Longkumer (based in the United Kingdom) in collaboration with the FNR. A Naga delegation, including tribal leaders, FNR, and RRaD members, visited the Pitt Rivers Museum in June 2025 for discussions integral to the repatriation.

What does this mean for the Naga people?

For the Naga people, this repatriation represents far more than the return of physical artifacts. Rev. Dr. Wati Aier called upon the Naga people to view the return of ancestral remains as a "transformative turning point for collective restoration" and a direct confrontation of "more than a century of colonial violence, militarisation, and forced cultural fragmentation." In a deeply emotional encounter during the 2025 delegation visit, NT Thamlong Phom, President of the Phom People's Council (PPC), asked in the Phom dialect, “O, our beloved forefathers. What happened to you? How did you lose your life? You have your own home, your own land, your ancestors, and your descendants. Leaving all this behind, how did you land in this strange, lonely foreign land?” He later emphasized the cultural significance, stating, "Our traditions say that we find solace and grace only when we rest in our homeland. Finally, my ancestors will be at peace."

At a press briefing in Dimapur, Nagaland, India, on September 5, 2026, held during the inaugural session of the "September Dialogue 2026," the Naga Tribe Hohos and FNR-RRaD issued a joint statement. They affirmed, “Repatriation, for the Nagas, is not simply about bones and ancestral remains finding their way back to the land, but importantly it is about memory returning to where it belongs. It is an essential step of a longer journey towards justice and dignity, and towards healing and wholeness.” This sentiment was echoed by FNR-RRaD Coordinator Rev. Dr. Ellen Konyak Jamir, who announced the decision at the press conference, alongside leaders like Thejao Vihienuo, President of the Angami Public Organisation (APO), and Jollyson R Shimray, Vice President of Tangkul Naga Long (TNL).

What is the museum's broader stance on colonial history?

This repatriation aligns with a broader reform at the Pitt Rivers Museum to address its colonial history. In 2020, the museum removed all human remains from public display as part of an initiative to confront what it termed "insensitive displays." This action is consistent with the museum's 'Committed to Change' document, which aims for "redress, social healing and the mending of historically difficult relationships." The human remains were allegedly taken by colonial administrators more than a century ago as "oriental curiosities" and "trophies," with John Henry Hutton, a colonial administrator, donating the first Naga ancestral human remain to the museum. The current decision marks a significant move toward rectifying these historical acquisitions and fostering a new era of engagement with originating communities.