adminTHE skulls of several First Chimurenga heroes, which were shipped to British museums during early colonial years, will soon be repatriated to Zimbabwe after Government successfully negotiated with authorities in London.
It is believed among the skulls are those of Chief Mashayamombe Chinengundu of Mhondoro and Chief Makoni Chingaira of Rusape.
Both chiefs were beheaded by British invasion forces at the height of Zimbabwe’s first war of resistance against white settlers (1896/7), and their heads were shipped abroad in exchange for hefty sums.
Experts are working to identify the owners of all skulls whose repatriation is being led by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe.
Though this work is under way, some researchers believe other heroes like Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi were hanged and their heads also taken overseas.
NMMZ director Dr Godfrey Mahachi said last week that several skulls were at a London museum and had been positively identified as having originated from Zimbabwe.
He, however, declined to divulge the museum’s name.
“Through the efforts of our Government and their linkages with British authorities, we have established there are some human remains of Zimbabwean origin, which are in British museum institutions.
“We can confirm some of these remains got to London around 1898, which was around the time the First Chimurenga was coming to an end.”
Bongani Ndlovu