Konyak Union backs repatriation of ancestral Naga remains initiative

DIMAPUR —The Konyak Union (KU) has extended its support to the repatriation of Ancestral Naga remains initiative undertaken by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) with the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford University.

“The KU is committed to support the Ancestral Naga remains initiative undertaken by the FNR with the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University and cooperate in any way possible to repatriate the remains of their respective ancestors,” the union stated in a press release.

The KU’s support was conveyed during a meeting of the union with a joint delegation of the FNR and Recover Restore and Decolonise (RRaD) on Friday at KU headquarters in Mon town.

During the meeting, KU reiterated the importance of the repatriation process and in his welcome speech, KU president, Tingthok Konyak, noted that the union had earlier sent an official letter to the FNR with a desire to learn about the repatriation initiative.

The union expressed happiness that the FNR and RRaD team accepted the queries and decided to visit them to initiate a dialogue on decolonisation, healing and repatriation.

“Considered as a historic event that requires Naga people to work towards unity, the KU President called upon the Naga researchers to focus on the historical relevance and importance of the repatriation process,” it stated.

The union’s vice president, HA Hongnao, noted that the larger community heard about the Pitt Rivers Museum after the repatriation initiative started.

“He (Hongnao) further stated that the KU believes that that this is an important process but it is pertinent that all matters related to artifacts, whether human remains or cultural artifacts, are respectfully handled,” the release stated.

He also expressed dismay that a Konyak heritage handmade gun which he had donated to the Kohima State Museum went missing and cannot be traced till date.

He called upon the community and the state organs to respect the process and noted that such unfortunate incidents should not happen with any artifacts repatriated to the Naga homeland.

Earlier, the KU office bearers welcomed the FNR and RRaD team comprising of Dr. Reverend Ellen C Jamir, Dr. Dolly Kikon, Manngai Nemdakly and Kuvethilu Theluo.