Naga Oxford Declaration: A historic call for repatriation

• DIMAPUR — The Naga delegation visiting the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University as part of a repatriation effort for Naga ancestral remains has come out with a declaration after a week-long visit.
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• The declaration titled ‘Naga Oxford Declaration on Repatriation’ dated June 13, expressed gratitude to Naga ancestors for being a testament and silently proclaiming the stories of the Naga people.

A Naga leader reads out the declaration during a public session at the Museum of Natural History Lecture Theatre, Oxford University, on June 13.

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• “We are sorry that it has taken us several decades, but we are here now to reclaim and return you to the homelands from where you were taken. We are committed to the process of your return from museums,” it stated.
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• It affirmed that the repatriation process is towards the healing and wholeness of the Naga people.

Also read: Naga tribal hohos meet UK parliamentarian to repatriate ancestral human remains

• “As Nagas, we do so in a united voice, with mutual respect and consensus and to offer you a dignified rest, establishing a Naga monument of healing and peace for all generations, symbolising the oneness of the Nagas.
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• “We extend our solidarity to fellow indigenous peoples across the world who seek to undertake a similar journey of repatriation in the hope of bringing decolonisation, justice, and peace, not just for ourselves, but for humanity,” the declaration stated.
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• Signatories of the declaration are Theja Vihienuo, president of Angami Public Organisation; Talamong Khiamniungan, executive chairman of Khiamniungan Tribal Council; Ngongba Tange Thamlong Phom, vice president of Phom Peoples’ Council; Jollyson Ronra Shimray, vice president of Tangkhul Naga Long; Kumsang Bendangtoshi, presidential council member, Tongror Luden Ao Senden; A Peihwang Wangsa, representative of Konyak Union; Dr, Vihuto Asumi, president of Sümi Hoho, and Dr. P Ngullie, on behalf of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
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• It may be mentioned that the Naga delegation was hosted at the House of Lords in London on June 11. The delegation met with Rt Hon. the Lord Boateng of Akyem and Wembley, a member of the British House of Lords, who expressed solidarity with Indigenous communities seeking the repatriation of ancestral human remains.