The Naga community has spotlighted the repatriation of their ancestral human remains from the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, UK, during a two-day dialogue addressing ‘repatriation,’ ‘colonisation,’ ‘decolonisation,’ ‘trauma,’ ‘healing,’ and ‘reconciliation.’ Held at the Lighthouse Church, Dimapur, and organized by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation-Recover Restore and Decolonise (FNR-RRAD), the event brought together college students, academics, professionals, activists, theologians, elders, and community leaders.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, emphasized that repatriation provides an opportunity to confront the history of colonialism, honor the dead, and reconcile with the past to seek truth and justice. Dr. Aier, who could not attend in person, underscored the importance of performing traditional last rites to respect cultural practices and aid community healing.
Intergenerational dialogue played a significant role, with Dr. Visier Sanyü recounting his harrowing experiences of fleeing from the Indian army in the late 1950s and the devastation of Khonoma village. His storytelling resonated deeply, especially with young students who had little prior knowledge of such historical events.
Dr. Phyobemo Ngully addressed the enduring impact of intergenerational trauma on the Naga people, highlighting the necessity for the community to recognize and appreciate each other’s strengths. He called for a collective effort to address the psychological and cultural implications of such trauma.
The potential repatriation of ancestral remains is seen as a means to rebuild social structures and kinship ties. The process is expected to acknowledge historical injustices and pave the way for reconciliation. Dr. Aier called on community leaders and the public to engage in and support the repatriation initiative.
The dialogue concluded with speakers stressing that repatriation will demand sustained commitment, paralleling the experiences of the Maoris of New Zealand. The essential takeaway was that repatriation should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a final outcome, fostering holistic solutions to the community’s challenges.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/finding-a-way-forward-through-repatriation
Category : Public Space
Tags:
