Kategorie: English
-
Will the restitution to Cameroon begin now?
This text examines the repatriation of ancestral remains belonging to the Maka community in Cameroon from Freiburg, which is expected to take place in mid-July 2026. This could mark a breakthrough for the comprehensive restitution of Cameroonian cultural heritage from Germany. Cameroon’s Minister of Culture has announced a framework document for all communities, designed to…
-
The interface between German and Indigenous health systems in Northeastern Tanzania, 1884 -1914
This post includes a summary by Tanzanian historian Philemon Mtoi of his dissertation which he recently completed at the University of Bonn. Title of the dissertation: „Debating Colonial Destructive Administration: The interface between German and Indigenous health systems in Northeastern Tanzania, 1884 -1914“.
-
Burundi under German colonial rule
This post includes a summary by the Burundian historian Jean Berchmans Ndihokubwayo of his dissertation which he successfully defended at the University of Gießen on 20 May 2026. Title of the dissertation: Burundi under German colonial rule: Colonial authorities, local leaders, collaboration, resilience, and resistance, 1896–1916.
-
“Cultural Violence” – New exhibition on German colonialism in Tanzania
In this text, Anna Zoë Klos reviews the Tanzanian exhibition „Cultural Violence“, curated by Philip Maligisu and the Pan-African Centre for Heritage and Provenance Research. The exhibition was presented at the recent commemoration of the Majimaji war in Songea and at the Nafasi Art Space in Dar es Salaam.
-
Colonialism and Law. A Global History
In an interview with the blog “dekolonial-erinnern.de”, Dr Sebastian M. Spitra, an expert in international law at the University of Vienna, discusses his new book „Kolonialismus und Recht. Eine Globalgeschichte“ (Colonialism and Law: A Global History), due to be published by Campus Verlag in late April 2026. He emphasises the need for a shift in…
-
Mythos „Saubere Schutztruppe“ widerlegt
So wie früher die Erzählung von der „Sauberen Wehrmacht“ im 2. Weltkrieg die historischen Fakten verfälscht hat, propagieren heute Einige den Mythos der „Sauberen Schutztruppe“. Es ist dem Bundeswehr-Zentrum für Militärgeschichte & Sozialwissenschaften (ZMSBw) zu verdanken, dass diese Legende nun systematisch dekonstruiert wird. Im Gespräch (deutsch) mit dem Podcast „Decolonial Memories“ berichten die ZMSBw-Wissenschaftler Dr.…
-
Togo establishes restitution committee
This text deals with the establishment of a restitution committee by the Togolese government. Its purpose is to recover cultural heritage and ancestral remains that were appropriated by foreign actors, primarily during German colonial rule. The problem is that Germany is not adequately prepared for talks with Togo and other former colonies to come to…
-
The ancestors are not (yet) allowed to return
This text informs about a new episode of the podcast ‘Decolonial Memories’ with Sirili and Tony Molelia from Kibosho/Tanzania (English & Kiswahili). They travelled to Germany to encounter their ancestors and cultural belongings that were stolen by German colonial troops. In a statement, the family formulates demands for restitution and reparations by Germany.
-
„Culture as a weapon“
The text analyses the AfD’s election manifesto for the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September 2026. It highlights the central role of cultural policy in societal restructuring sought by the party and shows how this is linked to a refusal to critically examine colonialism.