Pitt Rivers Museum to Repatriate Ancestral Remains of 39 Nagas

The Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford has announced its decision to return the ancestral remains of 39 individuals from Nagaland. This move follows a long-standing request from the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and marks a significant step in the repatriation of cultural heritage. The museum's director expressed hope for collaboration with local leaders and researchers to facilitate the return process. While the council approved the return of 39 remains, one remains was not returned due to uncertainty about its origins. This initiative is part of a broader effort to restore cultural heritage and acknowledge historical injustices.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 7, 2026, 10:53 IST

Return of Ancestral Remains to Nagaland

Pitt Rivers Museum. (Photo: 'X'/@River_LondonSE)

DIMAPUR, Sept 7: The Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford has made the decision to return the ancestral remains of 39 individuals from Nagaland, which have been part of its collection for many years.

In a letter addressed to Rev Wati Aier, who is the convenor of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Prof Laura Van Broekhoven, the museum's director, shared this significant news.

Broekhoven expressed hope in the letter that the museum could begin collaborative efforts with the FNR, Naga tribal leaders, and the Recover, Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) team to facilitate the return of these ancestral remains to their rightful homeland.

The University of Oxford Council had approved the return of the 39 remains during a meeting held on July 13. However, they did not authorize the return of one additional remains due to uncertainty regarding its Naga origins.

Rev Ellen Konyak, a coordinator for RRaD and member of the FNR, informed the media that Broekhoven had reached out to the FNR in 2020 to initiate the repatriation process.

In response, the FNR launched the RRaD initiative, which is spearheaded by two Naga scholars, Dolly Kikon and Arkotong Longkumer, both residing in the UK, along with a dedicated team of research volunteers. A delegation comprising Naga tribal leaders, elders, and members of the FNR and RRaD visited the Pitt Rivers Museum in June 2025 to view the ancestral remains for the first time.