The descendants of Zimbabwe’s historic resistance fighters are urging leading British institutions, including the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge, to assist in locating the remains of their ancestors, believed to have been taken during colonial rule. These calls come as part of a broader dialogue surrounding the restitution of cultural heritage and the ongoing impact of colonial legacies.
A Plea for Recognition and Justice
Eight descendants of the first Chimurenga heroes, who valiantly resisted British colonisation in the 1890s, have formally appealed to the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge to collaborate in identifying six specific ancestors’ skulls reportedly held in their collections. This request follows a troubling finding from a 2022 investigation, which indicated that neither institution had identified any remains as belonging to these significant figures. The lack of progress has left the descendants and Zimbabwean officials deeply disheartened.
This group of descendants has also offered to provide DNA samples to aid in the search for their ancestors’ remains. In letters addressed to both institutions, they stressed that establishing a taskforce comprising experts from Zimbabwe and the UK is essential for examining the contested remains and archival materials.
The Historical Context and Current Implications
Among the signatories is a descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, a pivotal figure who fought against the appropriation of land during the colonial era. Captured and executed in 1896, Chief Makoni’s skull is believed to be among those taken to England, symbolising not just a personal loss but a broader narrative of colonial violence and dispossession. Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, the current Chief Makoni, expressed the profound grief felt by his community, stating, “We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took.”
The letters sent by the descendants highlight the urgency of this issue, articulating that “this is not only about the past.” They implore the institutions to confront the historical injustices of colonialism and to take tangible steps towards reparative justice.
Institutional Responses and the Path Forward
Despite the Natural History Museum’s commitment in November 2022 to repatriate all Zimbabwean human remains in its collection, progress appears to be stagnant. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations recently expressed concern about the lack of action over the past three years. Dr Rudo Sithole, a prominent figure in the field of African museums, noted that Zimbabwean experts remain sceptical regarding the thoroughness of the research conducted by these institutions, particularly concerning the identification of the Chimurenga heroes’ remains.
The museum has stated that, after extensive research, it could find no evidence linking the remains to any specific individuals or historical events. Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge has reassured the families that its largest collection, the Duckworth Collection, does not contain remains of any of the first Chimurenga heroes, a response that has not alleviated the descendants’ concerns.
An Ongoing Legacy of Colonialism
This situation is symptomatic of wider issues surrounding the treatment of human remains and cultural artifacts taken during colonial times. The UK has faced increasing scrutiny regarding its handling of such items, especially in contrast to other European nations that have actively engaged in research and restitution efforts for their colonial collections.
The ongoing struggle for recognition and repatriation illustrates the deep scars left by colonialism, not only on the land and its people but also on their spiritual heritage. The descendants of Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters believe that only through the return of their ancestors’ remains can healing begin. “Until those ancestors return to us, then we have no access to the Lord,” Gwasira articulated, underscoring the spiritual significance of these remains in Shona tradition.
Why it Matters
The quest for the return of human remains taken during colonial rule highlights the need for greater accountability and reconciliation in post-colonial societies. It raises fundamental questions about the ethics of cultural heritage preservation, the responsibility of institutions in addressing historical injustices, and the enduring impact of colonial legacies on contemporary communities. This dialogue is not merely a reflection on the past, but a vital step towards healing and restoring dignity to those whose lives were irrevocably altered by colonial exploitation. As such, the actions taken by these institutions will resonate far beyond the walls of museums, shaping the future of cultural understanding and reparative justice.