The descendants of Zimbabwe’s resistance heroes are urging British institutions, including the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge, to assist in locating the looted skulls of their ancestors. These remains, taken during the colonial era, symbolise a painful legacy of oppression and are at the heart of ongoing discussions regarding reparations and the ethical responsibilities of museums.
A Historical Context
The plight of Zimbabwean descendants stems from the brutal suppression of uprisings against British colonial rule in the 1890s. The first Chimurenga, or resistance movement, saw the likes of Chief Chingaira Makoni and notable spirit mediums such as Mbuya Nehanda lead their people against oppressive forces. Tragically, many of these leaders were executed, their skulls taken as trophies and transported to institutions in Britain.
Currently, the Natural History Museum in London houses approximately 3,375 items of human remains from Africa, while the University of Cambridge holds the largest collection, with at least 6,223 items. This has raised significant concerns within Zimbabwe and among descendants of those who fought against colonialism, who believe that their ancestors’ remains are among these collections.
Formal Requests for Collaboration
In a recent formal appeal, eight descendants of the Chimurenga leaders have requested collaboration with these institutions to locate the remains of six specific ancestors. They are prepared to provide DNA samples to aid in this research, reflecting a desire for transparency and accountability. The institutions’ previous statements claiming a lack of identifiable remains have been met with disbelief and disappointment from the descendants and Zimbabwean officials.
“The questions surrounding the provenance of these skulls can only be addressed through a dedicated taskforce comprising experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK,” their letters assert. This collaborative approach seeks not only to uncover the truth but also to confront the historical injustices faced by their forebears.
The Emotional Toll of Colonial History
Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a descendant of Chief Makoni, articulated the profound emotional distress felt by those connected to the resistance heroes. “We are very aggrieved… We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took,” he stated. Gwasira emphasised the cultural importance of ancestral remains in the Shona tradition, where the spirits of ancestors are believed to facilitate communication with the divine.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former executive director of the International Council of African Museums, echoed these sentiments, expressing concern that not enough research has been done to determine the origins of the remains held in British institutions. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she noted, highlighting the need for comprehensive investigations into the artefacts held by UK museums.
Institutional Responses and the Need for Progress
In response to the growing calls for action, the Natural History Museum has stated its commitment to repatriating the remains of 11 identified individuals from Zimbabwe. However, progress has been slow, with the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations indicating that “no discernible progress has been made” since the museum’s trustees decided to repatriate these remains in November 2022.
A spokesperson for the University of Cambridge confirmed that the Duckworth Collection, which comprises the institution’s largest assemblage of human remains, does not include those of any of the first Chimurenga heroes. This assurance, however, does little to alleviate the anxiety surrounding the fate of these ancestral remains.
Why it Matters
The ongoing struggle for the return of looted ancestral remains represents a broader conversation about colonial legacies and the responsibilities of modern institutions. As the descendants of Zimbabwean resistance heroes seek justice, their calls resonate far beyond the specific case of human remains. They highlight the urgent need for museums and universities to confront their colonial pasts, acknowledge the harms inflicted, and engage in a meaningful dialogue about reparations and reconciliation. The outcome of these discussions will not only impact the descendants’ healing process but will also shape the ethical framework within which cultural institutions operate in the modern world.
