In a poignant appeal steeped in the legacy of colonial violence, descendants of Zimbabwe’s resistance fighters are urging British institutions to locate and return the remains of their ancestors, believed to be held in UK museums. This call to action follows a troubling revelation that the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge possess significant collections of human remains from Africa, sparking renewed demands for restitution and recognition of historical injustices.
A Legacy of Resistance
The descendants, representing the first chimurenga heroes who valiantly opposed British colonisation in the 1890s, have formally reached out to the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge. They seek assistance in pinpointing the whereabouts of six specific skulls belonging to their ancestors—individuals executed and mutilated by colonial forces. Eight descendants have offered to provide DNA samples to aid in the search, underscoring the depth of their commitment to reclaiming their heritage.
This plea comes on the heels of disheartening responses from the institutions, which, in 2022, claimed they could not ascertain any remains belonging to the resistance leaders. Such statements have sparked outrage and disbelief among descendants and Zimbabwean officials alike, who contend that the institutions must confront their colonial past with honesty and accountability.
A Call for Accountability
In letters dispatched to both institutions this month, the descendants insisted that the only way to resolve questions surrounding the provenance of the skulls is to establish a collaborative taskforce. This group would consist of experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK, tasked with meticulously examining the contested remains and relevant archives.
The letters poignantly articulate that this issue transcends mere historical inquiry. “This is not only about the past,” they state. “It is about whether institutions today are willing to confront colonial violence honestly and repair its enduring harms.” The urgency of their message is clear: until the remains are accounted for and returned, the legacy of suffering persists.
Among those advocating for this cause is Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a direct descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, a prominent figure who resisted the seizure of land by British settlers. Captured and executed in 1896, Makoni’s skull is believed to be among those taken to England. Gwasira expressed profound grief over the dehumanisation experienced by his ancestors, urging British museums to acknowledge their role in this historical theft. “If those remains are not part of us, the notion of subjugation remains in our minds,” he stated. “We feel if we are united with our ancestors, then that chapter of colonialism is closed.”
The Scale of the Issue
A recent investigation by The Guardian revealed that UK institutions hold at least 11,856 items of human remains from Africa, with the University of Cambridge housing the largest collection at 6,223 items and the Natural History Museum following closely with 3,375. This widespread collection raises critical questions about the ethics of retaining such items and the need for restitution.
In a historical context, former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had previously demanded the return of the chimurenga heroes’ skulls, highlighting the long-standing grievances surrounding colonial legacies. Despite a formal decision by the Natural History Museum in late 2022 to repatriate all Zimbabwean human remains in its collection, a recent letter from the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations indicated that “no discernible progress has been made” in the three years since.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former executive director of the International Council of African Museums, expressed concern over the lack of thorough research conducted by the museum and university to ascertain if the remains they possess include those of the chimurenga heroes. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she remarked.
The Spiritual Dimension
For the Shona people of Zimbabwe, ancestral spirits, known as vadzimu, serve as vital conduits for communication with Mwari, or God. Gwasira articulated the deep spiritual ramifications of the colonial theft of his ancestors’ remains, stating, “Some of our very important ancestors who held the traditional responsibility for taking our grievances to the Lord were killed, murdered, their heads were taken. We are suffering because until those ancestors return to us, then we have no access to the Lord.”
This spiritual connection to the past is a driving force behind the demands for restitution. The legacy of colonisation continues to haunt the descendants of those who fought valiantly against oppression, as they seek not only the return of physical remains but also the restoration of their cultural and spiritual heritage.
Why it Matters
The ongoing struggle for the return of ancestral remains is emblematic of broader issues of colonial accountability and reparative justice. As institutions in the UK grapple with their colonial past, the descendants of Zimbabwean heroes are not merely seeking recognition; they are demanding acknowledgment of the profound impacts of colonial violence on their identities and communities. The call for restitution transcends the retrieval of physical remains; it is a quest for healing, closure, and a rightful place within the narrative of history—a narrative that has long been denied to them.