University of Oxford to repatriate 39 Naga ancestral remains

The University of Oxford Council has agreed to repatriate 39 Naga ancestral remains currently held at the Pitt Rivers Museum in the United Kingdom. The decision follows a six-year effort led by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) initiative to return the remains to their homeland in Nagaland, India.

The remains, which include items such as a warrior’s cranium and a woman’s skull, were collected during the colonial era, often under duress by British officers. While the museum holds approximately 219 Naga ancestral remains, the Council approved the return of these 39 specific pieces, though it declined one additional set because its Naga origin could not be definitively established.

Naga representatives described the repatriation as a transformative step toward healing, dignity, and the recovery of collective memory. The process is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with plans to establish a monument of healing and peace following the return of the ancestors.