Outrage erupts over auction of Naga human remain in UK

October 9, 2024 6 Views No Comment

• FNR, Nagaland CM demand halt to the auction
• Writes to Union Minister S Jaishankar to intervene

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 9

Outrage erupted as a planned auction of a Naga human remains by Swan Fine Art was set to take place in the United Kingdom (UK) on October 9. The matter was first brought to attention by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) who urged Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio to intervene by calling the High Commissioner of the UK to put a stop to the auction.

In a letter addressed to the CM, it stated that FNR was informed that a Naga ancestral human remain listed as a “19th century horned Naga human skull” is part of a one-day sale by the Swan Fine Art at Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, in the UK. Expressing deep concern, the forum highlighted the emotional and cultural significance of the matter for the Naga people.

The human remain, estimated at £3,500 to £4,000, originates from the Ex Francios Coppens Collection in Belgium and was featured alongside books, manuscripts, and various antiquities in an event titled “The Curious Collector Sale.”

“This inhumane and violent practice of auctioning Indigenous human remains is unacceptable in the 21st century,” the FNR asserted in their letter. Condemning the auction as a continuation of dehumanizing practices and colonial violence, FNR stated that such sales reduce Indigenous ancestral remains to mere collector’s items.

The appeal comes at a critical time, as the FNR, in collaboration with the Recover, Restore and Decolonize Team (RRaD), has been engaged in a dialogue for the repatriation of Naga ancestral remains from the Pitt Rivers Museum (PRM) at Oxford University. The auction has intensified the urgency of these efforts, highlighting the need for prioritizing the return of Naga heritage to its rightful place.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the CM urgently called on Union Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, to intervene in halting the proposed auction of the Naga human remains.

“The auctioning of human remains deeply hurts the sentiments of the people, is an act of dehumanisation, and is perceived as continued colonial violence against our people,” Rio stated in a letter addressed to the Union Minister. He emphasized that Naga customs hold the remains of the deceased in the highest regard, and such an auction is a direct affront to these beliefs. Rio urged Jaishankar to engage the Indian High Commission in the UK to take immediate action in preventing the auction.

The Chief Minister underscored the urgency of the issue, appealing to the Government of India to ensure that the cultural rights and emotional sentiments of the Naga people are respected and protected.

Meanwhile several users on X expressed shock and displeasure over the entire matter terming it “outrageous and disrespectful,” to indigenous people. Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of California, Dr Dolly Kikon demanded that the auction be stopped and called on others to do the same as well.

Reacting to this, Director of PRM, Laura Van Broekhoven termed it, “completely unethical. Human remains from Naga, Shurar, Dayak, Solomon Islands and also Nigeria, Congo, Benin, PNG…please stop this auction.”

Swan Fine Art removes item from auctioning list
Late in the afternoon, it was observed that the organiser, Swan Fine Art had removed the Naga human remain from its list of auctions. A visit to its website showed that the item was no longer available. However, the organiser did not provide any statement in this regard.