In a poignant appeal, descendants of Zimbabwean freedom fighters have urged British institutions, particularly the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge, to assist in locating the looted skulls of their ancestors. These ancestors, who valiantly resisted British colonial rule in the late 19th century, have long been believed to have had their remains taken to the UK. This initiative emerges amid growing scrutiny of colonial legacies and the ethical responsibilities of museums holding such artefacts.
A Legacy of Resistance
The descendants of notable figures from Zimbabwe’s first chimurenga — an uprising against British colonisers in the 1890s — have taken a significant step forward in their quest for justice. Eight representatives have formally requested collaboration with the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge to identify six specific ancestral remains believed to be in their collections. They have also offered to provide DNA samples to aid in this critical research.
This call comes in the wake of previous statements from the museum and university, which, in 2022, indicated that they could not confirm the presence of remains belonging to these resistance heroes. Such declarations have sparked disappointment and disbelief among the descendants and officials in Zimbabwe, who assert that the institutions have yet to fully engage with the historical injustices of colonialism.
The Search for Ancestral Remains
In a letter addressed to the British institutions, the descendants emphasised the need for a dedicated taskforce consisting of experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK. They argue that only through this collaborative effort can the questions surrounding the provenance of the skulls be satisfactorily resolved. The letter states, “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.”
One poignant voice among the descendants is Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a direct descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, who bravely resisted land seizures by British settlers. Captured and executed in 1896, Makoni’s skull is believed to be among those taken to England. Gwasira expressed the profound emotional impact of this historical trauma, stating, “We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took.”
The Broader Context
The urgency of this appeal is underscored by a recent investigation revealing that UK institutions hold at least 11,856 human remains from Africa. With the University of Cambridge housing the largest collection at 6,223 items, the Natural History Museum follows closely with 3,375. This revelation has reignited debates about the ethics of holding human remains acquired during colonial times, with many advocates calling for transparency and restitution.
Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s former president, previously demanded the return of these remains, and in November 2022, the Natural History Museum’s trustees made a formal commitment to repatriate all Zimbabwean human remains in their possession. However, recent correspondence from an all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations highlighted a lack of progress on this commitment over the past three years, raising further concerns among the descendants.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a prominent figure in the field of African museum studies, underscored the inadequacies of the research conducted by the museum and the university regarding the identification of these remains. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she remarked, highlighting the need for comprehensive research to ascertain the origins of the remains.
The Spiritual Significance
The descendants believe that the return of their ancestors’ remains is not simply a matter of historical restitution, but also a critical aspect of their cultural and spiritual identity. In Zimbabwean Shona tradition, ancestral spirits, or vadzimu, play an essential role in connecting the living with the divine. Gwasira articulated this sentiment, stating, “Until those ancestors return to us, then we have no access to the Lord.”
As the dialogue continues, the Natural History Museum has reiterated its commitment to repatriation, awaiting direction from the Zimbabwean government on the next steps. Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge has reached out to the descendants to express condolences for their loss and to clarify that their largest collection of human remains does not include those of the first chimurenga heroes.
Why it Matters
This unfolding story highlights the broader conversation surrounding the legacy of colonialism and the ethical responsibilities of institutions that house cultural artefacts. Repatriating human remains is not merely a logistical task; it is a profound act of recognition and reconciliation, honouring the pain of the past while fostering a more equitable future. As global discourse around colonial legacies intensifies, the actions of British institutions in this matter will be closely scrutinised, setting a precedent for how nations confront their histories and engage with affected communities.