A UK auction house recently decided not to sell a human skull that was set to be auctioned off after a strong reaction from people in India. This skull is believed to belong to the Naga tribe, an indigenous group from northeastern India, specifically the state of Nagaland.
A Troubling Artifact from the Past
The skull, which dates back to the 19th century, is a grim reminder of colonial times when human remains were often taken as trophies. Many of these artifacts ended up in museums and private collections across Europe and the United States. The skull was part of an auction set for this week at Swan Auction Galleries in Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, with a starting bid of £2,100 (about $2,740). The auctioneer estimated it might sell for around £4,000 (about $5,200).
The auction description indicated that this skull would be of particular interest to collectors focused on anthropology and tribal cultures. However, it wasn’t just the skull on the auction block—other human remains from various tribes across India, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and other countries were also listed for sale.
Outcry in Nagaland
The auction raised a storm of protests, especially from leaders in Nagaland. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was particularly vocal about the issue. He described the sale as “highly emotional and sacred” for the Naga people, emphasizing their tradition of respecting the remains of the deceased. He urged Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene and stop the auction.
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), a group advocating for the Naga people, condemned the auction. They argued that selling the skull violated Article 15 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which aims to protect the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide. FNR even reached out directly to the auction house to demand the skull’s repatriation.
Positive Developments
In response to the mounting pressure, Swan Auction Galleries announced they would remove the skull and all other human remains from the auction. This decision was met with relief by many, including Professor Laura Van Broekhoven, the director of the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, who criticized the sale of ancestral remains as “offensive and unacceptable.”
This cancellation highlights a larger trend where governments and organizations in South Asia and Africa are increasingly demanding the return of artifacts taken during colonial times. India has made significant progress in this area, having returned hundreds of stolen antiquities from the UK, US, and Australia. Just last month, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, India received 297 items, bringing the total number of returned artifacts to 650 over the past decade.
A Step Towards Justice
The cancellation of the auction is more than just a victory for the Naga people; it represents a growing recognition of the need for justice and respect for indigenous cultures. As the world grapples with the impact of colonialism, this event may encourage further discussions about the return of cultural heritage to its rightful owners. The journey toward reconciliation continues, but this moment marks a significant step forward.
