Museums should stop displaying African Ancestral Remains, says Report

These are amongst 14 recommendations contained in a new policy brief ‘Laying Ancestors to Rest – the African Ancestral Remains Project, which addresses the ethical, cultural, and historical issues surrounding African ancestral remains in UK collections. Many were taken during colonial rule and their continued presence in British institutions causes profound distress to diaspora communities and nations of origin, particularly when they are displayed or sold at auction.

As one member of the Edinburgh Sudanese Community Partnership noted in the study: ‘I found myself in a mix of freeze and fight immediately upon seeing my ancestors’ body parts, having the knowledge that they were Sudanese people who were buried in Omdurman in 1898 during the so-called Battle of Omdurman; to see that their graves had been robbed and that their heads were brought back as trophies and then the trophies were used for race science. It was so overwhelming.’

Such growing debates about restitution and reparations highlight the urgency for action. The African Ancestral Remains project unites African stakeholders, experts, and global best practices to shape respectful policies which out laid out in two key policy briefs:

• AFRIMUHERE presents a continental perspective.

• AFFORD offers a UK-focused approach.

Both will be unveiled in Parliament at an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) meeting 3.00pm – 5.00pm on 12 March 2025, followed by a presentation to government.

“It’s shocking that institutions continue to display African ancestral remains or that a market still exists for them in prestigious auction houses,” says Bell Rebeiro-Addy, Chair of the APPG-AR. “Internally driven institutional reforms have been slow and inconsistent. It’s time for government to lead, establishing robust legal frameworks to ensure the dignified treatment and rightful return of these remains.”