Phom organisations endorse ‘Naga Oxford Declaration’ on repatriation

DIMAPUR, JUNE 30 (MExN): The Phom People’s Council (PPC), the Phomla Hoichem (PH), and the Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) have unanimously resolved to endorse the Naga Oxford Declaration on repatriation of Naga ancestral remains and artifacts. The resolution was adopted at a special joint meeting of all civil society organisations (CSOs) of the Phom community held on June 24 at the VCC & VDB Hall in Longleng Town.

The declaration, first articulated by Naga tribal leaders on June 13 at the Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford, UK, calls for the return of ancestral human remains and cultural artifacts held in the museum to their respective Naga communities.

During the meeting, NT Thamlong Phom, Vice-President of the PPC and a member of the Naga delegation to Oxford, gave a detailed report of the seven-day visit to the Pitt Rivers Museum. He shared insights on the artifacts and human remains of Phom ancestors housed at the institution, describing the experience as both “very insightful and helpful to decide the way forward for the repatriation of the Naga Human remains.” “It was also painful and surprising to learn that many Human remains belong to the Phom Naga Tribe,” the report stated.

Following the presentation, the house unanimously endorsed the Naga Oxford Declaration. The joint resolution was signed by YB Angam Phom, President of PPC; A Ainyu Phom, President of PH; and C Sham-e Phom, President of PSC.

The organisations expressed their “sincere gratitude and appreciation to RRaD team under the aegis of FNR for undertaking these gigantic steps for repatriation of the Naga Ancestors Human remains from PRM.” They noted that the repatriation effort is of immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Phom community. “The Phom People believes that our Ancestor’s spirit will not find final peace and eternal rest until and unless their remains are given proper burial with Honor and dignity as per our customs and traditions,” the statement read.

The PPC also made a collective appeal to all Naga communities “to work unitedly for the earlier repatriation of the Naga Human remains from PRM.” The joint resolution marks a major endorsement of the broader Naga initiative to reclaim ancestral remains and reassert cultural rights through international collaboration.