In a poignant appeal to history, the descendants of Zimbabwean freedom fighters are urging British institutions to assist in locating the remains of their ancestors—skulls believed to have been taken during the brutal colonial era. The Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge, which together house thousands of human remains from Africa, find themselves at the centre of this emotional and contentious request. The families are determined to confront the legacy of colonial violence and the enduring trauma it has inflicted upon their communities.
A Call to Action
The descendants of the first Chimurenga heroes, who rose against British colonial rule in the 1890s, are demanding accountability from the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge. The request comes after years of speculation that the institutions hold the remains of their ancestors, including those of Chief Chingaira Makoni, who bravely fought against land seizures by British settlers. Eight descendants have formally reached out to the institutions, seeking collaboration to locate six specific remains.
Despite their hopes, a statement from the museum and university in 2022 claimed no identifiable remains belonged to these notable figures, a declaration met with disbelief and disappointment from the families and Zimbabwean officials. In recent letters to the institutions, the descendants argue that the only way to resolve the uncertainty is through the establishment of a taskforce comprising experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK, tasked with examining the contested remains and historical archives.
The Weight of Ancestral Legacy
“This is not merely a pursuit of the past,” the letters assert, highlighting the broader implications of the search. “It is about whether these institutions are prepared to confront the colonial violence honestly and to address its lasting repercussions.” Chief Makoni’s descendant, Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, expressed the deep-seated grief felt by his family, underscoring the psychological toll of colonial legacies.
“We are very aggrieved by the dehumanisation that our ancestors faced,” Gwasira explained. He noted that for many in Zimbabwe, the return of ancestral remains is not just about closure but a pathway to healing. The belief in ancestral spirits, or *vadzimu*, plays a crucial role in Zimbabwean culture, connecting communities to their history and spirituality. “Until those ancestors return to us, we have no access to the Lord,” he lamented.
Institutional Responses and Ongoing Challenges
The issue of repatriation is not new. Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had previously called for the return of these remains a decade ago. In November 2022, the trustees of the Natural History Museum made a formal commitment to repatriate the remains of 11 individuals from Zimbabwe. However, in a letter of support for the descendants, the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations stated that “no discernible progress” had been made since that commitment.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former director of the International Council of African Museums, voiced concerns over the thoroughness of research conducted by the museum and the university. She expressed fears that the absence of acknowledgment of any Chimurenga remains in UK collections might indicate a lack of proper investigation. “It is worrying that people have long believed the remains are here, yet not a single one has been identified,” she remarked.
The Historical Context
Many prominent figures from the Chimurenga, such as spirit mediums Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, were executed for their resistance. Their stories are woven into the fabric of Zimbabwe’s fight for independence. Yet, the legacy of colonialism continues to cast a long shadow, with institutions in the UK lagging behind other European countries in addressing the provenance of human remains taken from former colonies.
While the Natural History Museum has stated it is awaiting direction from the Zimbabwean government regarding the repatriation process, the University of Cambridge has reassured families that its largest collection, the Duckworth Collection, does not contain remains of the Chimurenga heroes. This response, however, does little to assuage the pain or uncertainty felt by the descendants.
Why it Matters
The quest for the return of ancestral remains is not only a matter of historical justice but also a critical step toward reconciliation. For the descendants of these resistance leaders, reclaiming their ancestors is about healing deep-rooted wounds inflicted by a colonial past that continues to reverberate through generations. Addressing these injustices can pave the way for a more honest dialogue about colonial history, its lasting impacts, and the responsibility of institutions to rectify past wrongs. As these families press on in their search, they symbolise a broader movement for recognition, respect, and restitution that echoes far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
