In a poignant appeal for justice, descendants of Zimbabwean resistance leaders executed during the late 19th-century anti-colonial struggles have reached out to the UK’s Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge, urging them to assist in locating the remains of their ancestors. This request emerges from a desire to confront the painful legacy of colonial violence and to seek closure for families whose heritage has been marred by historical injustices.
A Legacy of Resistance
The descendants of the first chimurenga heroes, who valiantly opposed British colonial forces in the 1890s, believe that their ancestors’ skulls are among the numerous human remains housed at these institutions. Eight representatives of these families have formally requested collaboration with the museum and the university to trace six specific ancestors. They have offered to provide DNA samples to facilitate the search, emphasising the need for a comprehensive examination of both the remains and archival materials.
This call to action follows previous statements from the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge, which, in 2022, claimed they had not identified any remains linked to the colonial fighters. Such declarations have sparked disbelief and anger among the descendants and officials in Zimbabwe, who argue that a systematic investigation is vital to address the questions surrounding the origins of these remains.
Confronting Colonial Histories
In letters sent to the institutions, the descendants voiced a powerful sentiment: “This is not only about the past. It is about whether institutions today are willing to confront colonial violence honestly and repair its enduring harms.” Their words reflect a broader struggle to address the historical injustices that continue to affect communities today.
Among the signatories is Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, the current Chief Makoni, whose ancestor Chief Chingaira Makoni led a resistance against colonial encroachments in what is now Manicaland province. Captured and executed in 1896, Chief Makoni’s skull is believed to be among those taken to England. Gwasira expressed the deep emotional toll that this legacy inflicts upon 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 recent revelations from a freedom of information request highlighted that UK institutions collectively hold over 11,000 items of human remains from Africa, with Cambridge and the Natural History Museum housing the largest collections. This underscores a pressing need for dialogue and reparative action regarding the legacies of colonialism.
Institutional Responses and Ongoing Discontent
The Natural History Museum has indicated its commitment to repatriating the remains of 11 individuals from Zimbabwe but has yet to receive guidance from the Zimbabwean government regarding the next steps. A spokesperson asserted that extensive research had been conducted, finding no evidence linking any of the remains to specific individuals or historical events, a statement that has been met with scepticism.
Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge has assured the families that their largest collection of human remains, the Duckworth Collection, does not contain any from the first chimurenga heroes. However, this assurance has not quelled the calls for a more thorough investigation into the provenance of remains believed to belong to these significant figures in Zimbabwe’s fight for independence.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former director of the International Council of African Museums, has expressed concern that insufficient research has been undertaken by both the museum and university. She noted, “Because people long believed that all the chimurenga heroes’ remains were in the UK, we are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there.”
Why it Matters
The ongoing struggle for the return of ancestral remains from UK institutions is emblematic of a broader movement seeking to address historical injustices stemming from colonialism. As descendants of the chimurenga heroes continue to advocate for the recognition and repatriation of their ancestors’ remains, they highlight the enduring impact of colonial legacies on contemporary identity and cultural heritage. This call for accountability not only seeks to heal historical wounds but also represents a crucial step towards fostering reconciliation and understanding in a post-colonial world. The response of museums and universities in the UK will undoubtedly shape future dialogues around heritage, restitution, and the responsibilities of institutions in confronting their colonial pasts.
