Naga Sadhu (symbolic)
London: The online sale of skulls of Naga humans in Britain has shocked everyone. ‘Naga human skull’ was being sold ‘live online’ in an auction house here. On receiving the information, a strong objection was raised from India’s side. After this, now the skull of Naga man has been removed from the list of online sale. The auction house has taken this step after India’s protest on this issue.
Let us tell you that Swan auction house in Testsworth, Oxfordshire in Britain has a collection of skulls and other remains obtained from all over the world under its ‘The Curious Collector Sale, Antiquarian Books, Manuscripts and Paintings’. ’19th Century Horned Naga Human Skull, Naga Tribe’ was listed for sale at lot number 64. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had protested against its sale and sought the intervention of Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to stop this sale. After this India lodged its protest and its sale was stopped.
The price of one skull was up to Rs 43 lakh
The minimum price of the Naga man skull which was being sold online in Britain was ranging from Rs 2.30 lakh to Rs 43 lakh. Rio wrote in his letter, “The news of the proposal to auction Naga human skulls in Britain has had a negative impact on all sections of people, as this is a very emotional and sacred matter for our people. It has been the traditional practice of our people to treat the remains of the departed with the utmost respect and honor.” After the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) raised concerns over the matter, Rio asked the External Affairs Minister to take up the matter with the Indian High Commission in London. Requested to lift. So that steps can be taken to ensure that the auction of the skull is stopped.
Auction violates UN rules
“This work will be of particular interest to collectors focusing on anthropology and tribal cultures,” the UK online auction listing read below a photo of a Naga human skull. The starting price for the auction was kept at 2,100 GBP (Great British Pound) (about Rs 2.30 lakh) and the auctioneers expected it to be sold for 4,000 GBP (about Rs 43 lakh). Its origins can be traced back to the collection of 19th century Belgian architect François Coppens. The FNR asserted that the auction of human remains violates Article 15 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which states, “Ethnic indigenous peoples have the right to preserve their cultures, traditions, history and There is a right to maintain dignity and diversity of aspirations, which should be appropriately reflected in education and public information.”
Demand to send Naga skull back to India
Barat FNR directly contacted the auction house to condemn the sale and demanded the item be returned to Nagaland. The organization is one of many ethnic origin groups around the world. The organization is currently in talks with the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford regarding artefacts held in its collection. Museum director Laura van Brockhoven told the BBC she was “displeased” that some of these items would be auctioned. “The fact that these objects were taken and put up for sale is truly sad, outrageous and unconscionable,” Brockhoven said. “We know that these remains were collected in the 19th and 20th centuries. They may have been made, but their sale in 2024 is quite surprising.” Swan auction house has been contacted for comment. (Language)
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