The echoes of colonial violence continue to resonate as descendants of Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters urge British institutions to locate the remains of their ancestors, believed to have been taken during the brutal suppression of resistance against colonial rule in the 1890s. With the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge holding significant collections of human remains, the call for accountability and repatriation grows louder, highlighting a painful chapter in history that remains unresolved.
A Legacy of Loss
The Natural History Museum in London is home to at least 3,375 items of human remains from Africa, making it the second-largest repository in the UK, trailing only the University of Cambridge, which possesses at least 6,223 items. Among these remains are those believed to belong to the first chimurenga heroes—Zimbabwean ancestors who bravely resisted British colonisation. Their descendants have long suspected that their forebears’ skulls are held within these institutions, leading to a heartfelt plea for collaboration in locating and repatriating these ancestral remains.
In a recent overture, eight descendants of these historical figures have formally requested that both the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge assist them in identifying six specific remains of their ancestors. They have offered to provide DNA samples to aid the search, a gesture underscoring their commitment to reclaiming their heritage.
A Call for Collaboration
In letters sent to both institutions, the descendants expressed their dismay at the museums’ previous assertions that no remains could be identified as belonging to the resistance fighters. They argue that a joint taskforce, comprising experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK, is essential to investigate the contested remains and their historical significance.
“This is not only about the past,” the letters assert. “It is about whether institutions today are willing to confront colonial violence honestly and repair its enduring harms.” The descendants are adamant that until their ancestors’ remains are properly accounted for and returned, the legacy of suffering persists.
Among the signatories is Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a direct descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, a notable leader who fiercely opposed British encroachment on his land. Captured and executed in 1896, Chief Makoni’s skull is believed to be one of those taken to England, a poignant reminder of the dehumanisation experienced during colonial rule.
Gwasira articulated the deep-seated pain felt by the descendants: “We are very aggrieved by the dehumanisation that took place during that period. We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took.”
The Quest for Justice
This appeal comes on the heels of a Freedom of Information investigation revealing that UK universities, museums, and councils collectively hold at least 11,856 items of human remains from Africa. The revelation has sparked outrage, particularly as the descendants of these freedom fighters grapple with the implications of their ancestors being reduced to mere artefacts in foreign collections.
Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zimbabwe, previously demanded 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 has recently indicated that “no discernible progress” has been made since that decision, further frustrating the descendants.
Dr Rudo Sithole, a former executive director of the International Council of African Museums, expressed concern that neither the Natural History Museum nor the University of Cambridge had conducted sufficient research to ascertain the provenance of the skulls believed to belong to the chimurenga heroes. “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,” she lamented.
The Spiritual Dimension
The impact of the colonial theft extends beyond physical remains; it is deeply entwined with spiritual beliefs and cultural practices in Zimbabwe. Gwasira noted that ancestral spirits, known as vadzimu, play an essential role in connecting the living with the divine. He lamented the disconnect caused by the absence of his ancestors, stating, “We are suffering because until those ancestors return to us, then we have no access to the Lord.”
Other prominent figures from the first chimurenga, including the revered spirit mediums Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi, also met tragic fates, executed for their roles in the anti-colonial struggle. Their legacies continue to inspire resistance against oppression and calls for justice.
Institutional Responses
Spokespersons for the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge have acknowledged the ongoing distress among the descendants. The Natural History Museum reiterated its commitment to repatriation while awaiting direction from the Zimbabwean government regarding the next steps. They maintain that extensive research has yielded no evidence linking the remains in their collection to specific historical figures.
Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge has expressed its condolences to the families, asserting that its largest collection, the Duckworth Collection, does not include the remains of any first chimurenga heroes.
Why it Matters
The relentless pursuit of justice by the descendants of Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters serves as a powerful reminder of the lingering effects of colonialism. As UK institutions grapple with their colonial legacies, the call for transparency and repatriation resonates not only in Zimbabwe but across former colonies worldwide. The return of these remains is not merely an act of restitution; it is a crucial step towards healing historical wounds and acknowledging the humanity of those whose lives were irrevocably altered by colonial oppression. The actions taken today will define how history is remembered and how the legacies of colonial violence are confronted in the future.
