A poignant call has emerged from the descendants of Zimbabwean resistance fighters, urging British institutions to assist in locating ancestral remains believed to be held within their collections. The Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge are at the centre of this campaign, with relatives seeking the return of the skulls of their forebears who valiantly resisted British colonial rule in the 1890s.
Descendants Demand Action
The descendants of those who participated in the first chimurenga uprising against British colonisers have long held the belief that their ancestors’ remains are housed at these institutions. This belief was recently rekindled as eight descendants formally requested cooperation from both the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge to locate six specific remains. They have also offered to contribute DNA samples to facilitate the identification process.
Despite previous assertions from the museum and university in 2022 claiming they could not find any remains linked to the chimurenga heroes, this has prompted outrage among Zimbabwean officials and the descendants, who feel their ancestral heritage is being disregarded. In a letter sent to both institutions, they proposed the formation of a taskforce comprising experts from Zimbabwe and the UK to investigate the disputed remains and the relevant archives.
A Historical Context
The letter’s authors articulated the broader implications of their plea, stating, “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. Until the remains of our ancestors are accounted for and returned, the suffering continues.”
Among the signatories is Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a direct descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, a prominent figure in the resistance against land seizures by British settlers. Chief Makoni was executed in 1896 after engaging colonial forces, and his skull is believed to be among those taken to England. Gwasira expressed deep anguish, remarking, “We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took.”
A Broader Issue of Colonial Legacy
This appeal for the repatriation of remains coincides with recent findings revealing that British universities, museums, and councils collectively hold at least 11,856 items of human remains from Africa. The University of Cambridge has the largest collection, with over 6,200 items, while the Natural History Museum follows closely with approximately 3,375.
The historical context is further complicated by the fact that Robert Mugabe, former President of Zimbabwe, made a similar request for the return of these skulls a decade ago. In November 2022, the trustees of the Natural History Museum made a formal commitment to repatriate all Zimbabwean human remains in their possession. However, the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations recently expressed frustration, stating that “no discernible progress has been made” since that decision.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former director of the International Council of African Museums, voiced her concerns regarding the lack of thorough research conducted by the museum and the university to determine if they possess remains belonging to the first chimurenga heroes. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she stated.
Spiritual and Cultural Implications
Gwasira highlighted the cultural significance of these remains in Zimbabwean Shona tradition, where ancestral spirits, known as vadzimu, play a crucial role in connecting the living to the divine. He lamented, “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 plea for the return of remains is not isolated; it is part of a larger movement across Europe, where countries such as France and Germany are actively funding research to trace the provenance of human remains taken during colonial times.
Institutional Responses
The Natural History Museum has reaffirmed its commitment to repatriating 11 individuals from Zimbabwe, indicating that it is currently awaiting guidance from the Zimbabwean government regarding the next steps. However, it maintained that extensive research has found no evidence to link the remains in question to specific historical figures or events.
In a similar vein, a spokesperson for the University of Cambridge acknowledged the profound grief expressed by the descendants and confirmed that the Duckworth Collection, which houses the university’s largest collection of human remains, does not contain those of the first chimurenga heroes.
Why it Matters
The quest for the return of ancestral remains encapsulates the enduring impact of colonialism and the urgent need for reconciliation. It reflects a broader demand for truth and healing, urging institutions to acknowledge their historical roles in perpetuating colonial violence. The descendants’ calls for action resonate not only within Zimbabwe but also echo the sentiments of many communities worldwide seeking justice and reparation for historical grievances. Addressing these concerns is not merely an academic exercise; it is a vital step towards healing and reconciling a painful past.