South Africa Reburies Remains of Anti-Colonial Ancestors
Why this is here: The reburial included remains held by a Scottish museum for nearly a century, highlighting a growing movement to return ancestral remains and artifacts to Africa.
South Africa reburied the remains of 63 Khoi and San people on Monday. The remains were originally taken to Europe for scientific research between 1868 and 1924. The University of Glasgow’s Hunterian museum and Iziko Museum in South Africa repatriated the remains.
President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the ceremony in Steinkopf, Northern Cape. He stated the repatriation began with negotiations between the university and the South African government in 2022. Ramaphosa described the act as restoring dignity to the ancestors.
He also urged European nations to acknowledge colonial-era indignities. Ramaphosa suggested these countries consider reparations to former African colonies. The Khoi and San are recognized as the earliest inhabitants of southern Africa and resisted colonial rule.