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In a poignant plea echoing through the halls of history, descendants of Zimbabwean resistance fighters are urging British institutions to aid in the search for the remains of their ancestors, looted during the brutal colonial era. The Natural History Museum in London and the University of Cambridge, which collectively hold thousands of human remains from Africa, are at the centre of this urgent call for accountability and reparation.
A Legacy of Struggle
The descendants are primarily linked to the first Chimurenga uprising, which saw fierce resistance against British colonial forces in the 1890s. Among their ancestors are figures like Chief Chingaira Makoni, who valiantly opposed the encroachment of British settlers on ancestral lands in present-day Manicaland. Captured and executed by the British South Africa Company, his severed head—like those of many other heroes—was taken to England, where it remains shrouded in the darkness of colonial theft.
This month, eight descendants formally appealed to the Natural History Museum and the University of Cambridge, requesting their assistance in locating six specific remains believed to belong to their forebears. They offered to provide DNA samples, hoping to facilitate the identification of these long-lost parts of their heritage.
However, the institutions have previously stated that they found no evidence linking any remains in their collections to the Chimurenga heroes, a claim that has left many descendants disheartened and sceptical. In their recent letters, the descendants argued that only a collaborative taskforce, composed of experts from both Zimbabwe and the UK, could resolve the longstanding questions regarding the provenance of the remains.
Unresolved Grief and Historical Injustice
“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 emotional weight of this statement reverberates through the generations, as descendants like Chief Makoni’s heir, Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, express deep anguish over the historical dehumanisation experienced by their ancestors.
Gwasira articulated the sentiment shared by many in his community: “We feel that the British, and especially the museums in England, should be honest and return those things that they took. If those remains are not part of us, the notion of subjugation remains in our minds.” His plea is not merely a call for restitution; it is a demand for closure, a symbolic end to a chapter of colonial oppression that continues to haunt the living.
The urgency of this request is underscored by a recent investigation revealing that UK museums and universities hold over 11,000 items of human remains from Africa, with Cambridge housing the largest collection. The Natural History Museum’s trustees had previously committed to repatriating all Zimbabwean remains, yet progress has stalled, much to the frustration of Zimbabwean officials and descendants alike.
A Call for Action
The failure to return these remains reflects a broader issue of accountability within UK institutions. Dr Rudo Sithole, a former executive director of the International Council of African Museums, expressed concern over the lack of rigorous research conducted to ascertain the identities of the remains held in British collections. “We are now very worried that not even a single one has been acknowledged to be there,” she stated, highlighting the disconnection between historical narratives and contemporary realities.
The sentiments are echoed by Gwasira, who pointed out the ongoing spiritual suffering in his community due to the disconnection from their ancestors. In Shona tradition, ancestral spirits are crucial conduits for communication with the divine. “We are suffering because until those ancestors return to us then we have no access to the Lord,” he lamented.
Institutional Responses and Ongoing Challenges
In response to the descendants’ requests, a spokesperson for the Natural History Museum reiterated their commitment to repatriation but noted that they were still awaiting guidance from the Zimbabwean government on the next steps. They stated, “After extensive research, we found no evidence to suggest that the remains are those of named individuals.” Similarly, the University of Cambridge acknowledged the pain expressed by the descendants but maintained that the remains in their Duckworth Collection do not belong to any of the first Chimurenga leaders.
This ongoing dialogue reveals a chasm between the institutions’ claims and the lived experiences of those seeking closure. The silence from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) further complicates the situation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Why it Matters
The quest for the return of these ancestral remains transcends mere restitution; it is a testament to the enduring impact of colonialism and the urgent need for institutions to confront their historical responsibilities. As descendants fight to reclaim their heritage, their struggle underscores a broader movement for justice, reconciliation, and the healing of wounds that colonial powers have inflicted upon nations and cultures. The resolution of such issues is not just an academic concern but a vital step towards acknowledging and rectifying the injustices of the past.