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In a poignant plea echoing the past, descendants of Zimbabwe’s resistance fighters are urging the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge to assist in locating the looted skulls of their ancestors, who valiantly opposed British colonial rule during the 1890s. This call for action comes amid growing scrutiny of UK institutions’ collections of human remains from Africa, highlighting the need for accountability and reparative justice.
Longing for Ancestral Restitution
The descendants, representing the first chimurenga heroes, have formally requested collaboration with the noted institutions to identify and return six specific skulls believed to be housed within their collections. These requests are underscored by a commitment to provide DNA samples, which could play a crucial role in the search for these historic remains. The chimurenga heroes, who bravely stood against the British colonisers, were often met with brutal reprisals, including execution and desecration of their remains.
Despite previous assertions by both the museum and the university stating they had found no evidence to suggest that any of their collections contained the remains of these notable figures, the descendants express profound scepticism. In letters addressed to the institutions, they argue that the origins of the remains can only be clarified through the establishment of a taskforce comprising experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK.
The Historical Context of Dispossession
The legacy of colonial violence lingers heavily, and the descendants have articulated their collective grief and anger over the historical injustices faced by their forebears. One letter signatory, Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, the current Chief Makoni and a direct descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni—who was executed and beheaded after leading resistance against land seizures—emphasised the emotional toll of this ongoing dispossession. “We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took,” he stated.
The call for the return of these remains is not merely a matter of historical interest; it is deeply intertwined with cultural identity and spiritual beliefs. In Zimbabwean Shona tradition, ancestral spirits play a vital role in connecting the living with the divine, and the absence of these remains is perceived as a barrier to spiritual communion.
Institutional Responses and the Path Forward
The Natural History Museum has acknowledged its trustees’ decision to repatriate all human remains from Zimbabwe, yet critics argue that little progress has been made since that commitment was made in November 2022. An all-party parliamentary group advocating for African reparations has urged the government to take meaningful action to facilitate the return of these remains.
Dr. Rudo Sithole, a former executive director of the International Council of African Museums, raised concerns about the lack of thorough investigation by the museum and university regarding the provenance of their collections. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she remarked, reflecting the frustrations felt by many in Zimbabwe.
In a measured response, a spokesperson for the Natural History Museum reiterated its commitment to the repatriation process but stated that no evidence had been found linking their collections to the first chimurenga heroes. Similarly, the University of Cambridge has expressed condolences and acknowledged the descendants’ grief while maintaining that their collections do not include the remains in question.
Why it Matters
The demand for the return of ancestral remains extends beyond the immediate needs of the descendants; it represents a critical juncture in the ongoing discourse surrounding colonial legacy, reparative justice, and the ethical responsibilities of institutions holding colonial-era collections. As the voices of the descendants resonate, they highlight the enduring wounds of colonialism and the necessity for institutions to confront their past with honesty and integrity. The outcome of this appeal could set a significant precedent for how museums and universities worldwide approach the sensitive issue of human remains and the broader implications of colonial exploitation.
