Bringing our Ancestors Home from Pitt Rivers Museum
I extend my deepest appreciation to the FNR for their tireless efforts in fostering unity among the diverse Naga groups.
- I extend my deepest appreciation to the Forum for Naga
Reconciliation (FNR), for their tireless efforts in fostering unity among the
diverse Naga groups and for taking the lead in this significant initiative. The
delegation of the Naga elders from every region of the Naga country to the Pitt
Rivers Museum in Oxford, UK will mark a crucial step in the process of
repatriation of Naga human remains. This endeavour should not be merely about
reclaiming human remains, which were taken away without our knowledge and
consent, but also about healing historical wounds and restoring dignity to our
ancestors.
- Moreover, this process should also bring to the forefront
the unfinished dialogue with the British, and apology for their colonial
transgression against the Naga people. The British occupation of our country
from 1866 to 1947 was characterised by exploitation and disregard for our
sovereignty. Despite our significant contributions to their wars (1 & 2
World War) we were abandoned, and left Nagaland to be occupied against our will
by India and Myanmar, whose cultures, polities, and ways of life entirely
foreign to us.
- The Pitt Rivers Museum’s gesture to return the Naga human
remains is appreciated. However, true reconciliation requires an admission by
the British government for its role in the historical injustices done to the
Nagas. I hope the delegation will strive for a meaningful engagement with the
British to address this unresolved issues. At the same time we should not seek
only the return of our ancestral remains but also recognition of our
sovereignty based on our historical facts and an admission of the promises they
failed to keep. Until they are prepared to undo their colonial legacy with
honesty and integrity, their offer seems like a continuation of past
injustices.
- May this journey pave the way to revisit our history with
the British government, and find a meaningful dialogue for resolution of our
longstanding issues.
- Vichütuolie Mere
- Ex-President, Chakhroma Public Organisation
