Pitt Rivers Museum to return 39 Naga ancestral remains to Nagaland

The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford has agreed to return 39 sets of Naga ancestral remains to Nagaland following years of negotiation. The remains, which include skull fragments, skin, and hair, were largely collected by colonial administrators in the early 20th century and were on display until 2020.

The repatriation process was led by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) team. While the Oxford University Council approved the return of 39 remains, it declined one item due to a lack of clear Naga provenance. A Naga delegation, including tribal leaders and elders, is expected to accompany the remains during their journey home.

Community leaders have expressed a mixture of mourning and celebration regarding the news. For the Naga people, the return is viewed as a vital step in decolonization and providing a final, dignified resting place for their ancestors.