The items include valuable armor, weapons and clothing, as well as banners of fighters who resisted the British force that invaded and colonized Sudan more than 120 years ago. The most controversial items may be two skulls that came off the battlefield where Sudanese warriors tried to hold back the advancing British and Egyptian armies. During the engagement at Omdurman in 1898, British commanders used early machine guns and artillery to inflict thousands of casualties on lightly armed enemies. In Khartoum, the repatriation of the human remains of those who fought in the battle is considered particularly important. “We have to make a big campaign. These people are our brothers, our heroes. They united and defended our country. “It’s a very special story of resistance to imperialism. Τους Their descendants should see it all here,” said Dr Eglal el-Malik, director of conservation at the National Society of Antiquities and Museums. Trophy hunting on the battlefield by British soldiers was common during the colonial campaigns and there are thousands of Sudanese artifacts in British collections. The victories there were significant for Victorian Britain, as they were seen as revenge for the assassination of General Charles Gordon in Khartoum in 1885. Colonial rule in the United Kingdom lasted until 1956. The two skulls, held by the Anatomical Museum in Edinburgh, were taken by explorer Reginald Koettlitz and Henry Wellcome, a pharmaceutical pioneer and businessman, and are among the many human remains removed by Western Europeans from Africa. These were often used in pseudo-scientific research to support racist theories during and immediately after the rush to colonize the continent in the late 19th century. Mohammed Ahmad, whose successor led the Mahnist army at the Battle of Omduram in 1898. Photo: unknown Other items in British museums linked to the Battle of Omdurman include a banner with Sudanese militant leaders, now housed in the Durham University Palace Green Library, and an impressive lined coat and armor in the Royal Armory collection. Many other museums in the UK have similar items taken after the British victories. Sudanese officials said they would like to see many of the items on display at a new museum opening in Omdurman in the coming weeks, which will tell a new perspective on the story of how the British colonized Sudan. “I want to show the real detail of Omdurman’s battle and I can not do that without all the objects. “It’s very important for the Sudanese people to know that,” Ahmed Mohamed, the curator, told the Guardian. Mohammed insisted that the museum – which is being restored with a grant from the British Council – could provide adequate security and conditions for any items returned from the UK or elsewhere. Some items have already been returned to Sudan. A British family whose ancestors took items from the Omdurman battlefield recently returned a Sudanese “dervish” warrior robe. However, all stakeholders recognize significant practical and legal obstacles. El-Malik said she was opposed to the hasty repatriation of items. “There are a lot of Sudanese [people] you want these items back now [but] need to be aware of legal issues. The reality is that we have so many difficulties [in Sudan]. It would be great to have all these things back now, but [they are] in a good condition where so many people see it. So we have to be reasonable. “ A spokesman for Durham University said the final list of loan applications from Sudan was still under discussion. “We are working closely with the National Society of Antiquities and Museums in Sudan, including loan applications for several items from the Sudan Archive to be exhibited in Sudan. “They and we recognize that this is not without difficulties,” said the spokesman. Professor Tom Gillingwater, of the Edinburgh Anatomical Museum, said the foundation has worked with many communities around the world to facilitate the return of remains and artifacts, but has not yet received any formal request for the return of Omdurman’s skulls. “Anatomical remains are now being used for research into the history of genetics, diet and human movement. “We take our colonial heritage – and its modern impact – very seriously and continue to look at ways to address these important issues.” Dr. Eglal el-Malik, Director of Conservation at the National Society of Antiquities and Museums. Photo: Jason Burke / The Guardian El-Malik described British museum officials as “friends, colleagues” [and] very useful overall “. There are huge numbers of archeological and other artifacts from Sudan abroad, including a bust of the Roman emperor Augustus in the British Museum and an invaluable collection of gold jewelery looted from royal tombs by an Italian adventurer in his 1930s. in Germany. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am The issue of restoring legacies that have been forcibly removed or otherwise removed by colonial invaders, administrators and adventurers is a sensitive issue, with pressure on Western institutions intensifying in recent years. Last year, Germany became the first country to hand over Benin bronze bronzes looted by British soldiers in the late 19th century. France has also noted a significant change in policy. Sudan has been plagued by conflict for decades. A military coup last year shattered hopes for a swift transition to democracy following the ouster of veteran dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Sudanese officials say they are not seeking the return of archeological sites that went abroad under legal agreements or any objects they could not keep safe. The Khartoum National Museum is being renovated with a $ 1 million grant from the Italian government. Work is also underway at a museum in south-west Darfur. “The situation here is not good. “At the moment they have to stay where they are, but of course we would eventually like to have them in our museum,” said Ghalia Gharelnabi, the current director of the National Museum.
