Mumbai, September 8: In a significant development, Oxford University has approved the return of 39 remains of Naga ancestors to India, specifically to Nagaland. The remains have been housed at the university’s Pitt Rivers Museum in the UK. These artifacts were taken during the colonial period when the British transported them from Nagaland to Britain.
The Naga community, along with the Nagaland government and various human rights and cultural organizations, has been actively working towards the repatriation of these remains. Upon their return, the remains will be treated according to traditional customs in Nagaland.
While the Naga community had requested the return of 40 remains, the Oxford Council declined to return one, citing insufficient evidence of its Naga origin. The handover of the remains is scheduled for November 2026.
This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to reclaim cultural heritage and address historical injustices.