In a poignant appeal for justice, descendants of Zimbabwean resistance leaders from the 1890s have urged the Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge to assist in locating the remains of their ancestors, believed to have been looted during the colonial era. The call comes amidst growing awareness of the historical injustices surrounding the acquisition of human remains by British institutions.
A Legacy of Resistance
The descendants, representing the first chimurenga heroes who bravely opposed British colonisation, are seeking the return of six ancestral skulls they believe are held in UK collections. These individuals were pivotal in the uprisings against British colonial forces, and their remains have become symbolic of the broader struggle for recognition and reparation. Eight direct descendants have formally requested collaboration with the institutions to help identify and return the remains, offering DNA samples to aid in the research process.
In a recent correspondence addressed to both the museum and the university, the descendants expressed their disappointment over previous investigations that found no identifiable remains of any chimurenga heroes. “This is not only about the past,” they stated in their letters. “It is about whether institutions today are willing to confront colonial violence honestly and repair its enduring harms. Until the remains of our ancestors are accounted for and returned, the suffering continues.”
The Historical Context
Among those leading the charge for recognition is Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, who bravely resisted British encroachment on ancestral lands. Captured and executed by colonial forces, Makoni’s skull is believed to be among those taken to England, along with the remains of other resistance leaders. Gwasira articulated the deep-seated pain 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.”
This demand for accountability echoes a similar plea made by former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe over a decade ago, when he urged the Natural History Museum to repatriate the skulls of these freedom fighters. In November 2022, the museum’s trustees agreed to return all Zimbabwean human remains in their possession, yet progress has reportedly stalled since that decision, leaving descendants in a state of uncertainty.
Institutional Responses and Challenges
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former executive director of the International Council of African Museums, has voiced concerns regarding the lack of thorough research conducted by the museum and the university. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she remarked, highlighting the need for a robust investigation into the provenance of the remains.
Both institutions have responded to the descendants’ calls, with the Natural History Museum reaffirming its commitment to repatriate the remains of 11 individuals from Zimbabwe. However, they have indicated that extensive research has not established a direct connection between the remains in their collection and the historical figures sought by the descendants. Similarly, the University of Cambridge has communicated that its largest collection, the Duckworth Collection, does not contain remains from any chimurenga heroes.
As discussions continue, the UK is being urged to follow the lead of other European nations, such as France and Germany, which have begun funding investigations into the origins of human remains taken from their former colonies.
Why it Matters
This ongoing struggle for the return of ancestral remains underscores the broader quest for reconciliation and justice in the post-colonial context. The pain of historical injustices continues to resonate within affected communities, where the connection to ancestral spirits is integral to cultural and spiritual identity. The descendants’ calls not only serve to honour their ancestors but also challenge contemporary institutions to confront their colonial legacies with sincerity and integrity. As the dialogue around repatriation intensifies, it presents an opportunity for healing and a move towards recognising the rights and dignity of those whose histories have long been overlooked.
