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By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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| KEY TAKEAWAYS |
|---|
| The theft of human remains from Tanzania reflects the brutality of colonialism. |
| Felix von Luschan collected skulls under the guise of scientific research. |
| Recent DNA analysis has linked stolen skulls to living Tanzanian descendants. |
| Berlin’s Museum of Pre- and Early History plans to return 202 skulls to Tanzania. |
| Efforts for repatriation are challenged by the lack of a national policy in Germany. |
| The return of ancestral remains represents healing and a reclaiming of cultural identity. |
Confronting the Ghosts of Colonial Atrocities: Tanzania’s Fight for Ancestral Repatriation
The Grim Legacy of Colonial Plunder
In colonial history, few events are as grim as the theft of human remains from conquered peoples. This disturbing practice peaked during Germany’s occupation of Tanzania, then German East Africa. Felix von Luschan, a German anthropologist, led this ghastly project. He urged for “scientific” reasons to steal Tanzanian graves.
Human Remains in German Collections
Skulls from Tanzania
250
Historians estimate that around 250 skulls from Tanzania are part of a larger 1,200-skull collection, with about 900 from Rwanda and 35 from Kenya. These remains were taken during the German colonial era for anthropological research.
Number of Bones in Berlin Collections
8,000
There are estimated to be up to 8,000 bones in Berlin collections, with possibly a few thousand more in other German collections, originating from colonial-era looting in Africa.
In 1901, Von Luschan wrote to Moritz Merker asking for skeletons from Kilimanjaro, showing his blatant disregard for human dignity. This marked the beginning of large-scale collection, sending many Tanzanian remains to Germany for supposed research. Chief Mangi Lobulu’s remains were shipped in 1902, highlighting the personal tragedies these actions caused (The Dial).
The Maji Maji Rebellion and Its Aftermath
The Maji Maji Rebellion from 1905 to 1907 was a bloody fight against German control in Tanzania. After this, German officials ramped up the collection of human remains. Skulls from fallen rebels were taken to satisfy European “race scientists.”
Human Remains in German Collections
Skulls from Tanzania
250
Historians estimate that around 250 skulls from Tanzania are part of a larger 1,200-skull collection, with about 900 from Rwanda and 35 from Kenya. These remains were taken during the German colonial era for anthropological research.
Number of Bones in Berlin Collections
8,000
There are estimated to be up to 8,000 bones in Berlin collections, with possibly a few thousand more in other German collections, originating from colonial-era looting in Africa.
This collection wasn’t just post-conflict. German officers looted cemeteries, stripping communities of their cultural history. Thousands of remains ended up in European museums and institutions (Citizen Digital).
The Pseudoscience of Racial Superiority
Felix von Luschan’s skull collection shows the twisted mix of colonial power and fake science. These stolen remains spread ideas of racial ranking, wrongly justifying colonial crimes. Under the guise of research, this work dehumanized African populations.
These collections were part of the colonial system, not standalone academic pursuits. They turned humans into study objects and reinforced European views of supremacy, paving the way for further exploitation (UCT News).
The Maji Maji Rebellion: A National Trauma
The Maji Maji Rebellion was more than an uprising; it was a pivotal moment in Tanzania’s history. Sparked by oppressive policies, it united over 20 ethnic groups against German colonial rule. The rebellion began in 1905 when a prophet named Kinjikitile Ngwale claimed to have sacred water, or “Maji Maji,” that could protect warriors from bullets. Despite initial successes, German forces brutally suppressed the rebellion, leading to the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people (BlackPast).
Consequently, the rebellion’s suppression caused widespread famine and economic ruin. The German strategy involved destroying crops and resources, leaving communities devastated. This tragic period remains a national trauma, symbolizing resistance and the high cost of colonial oppression (TutorChase).
Felix von Luschan: Architect of Anthropological Exploitation
Felix von Luschan was an Austrian anthropologist whose work epitomized the misuse of science to justify colonialism. Starting his career in medicine, he later became influential in anthropology, designing courses for future colonial officials. Von Luschan believed that ethnology could aid colonial policies, reinforcing a hierarchy that placed Europeans at the top (Czernin Verlag).
Under his guidance, anthropologists collected human remains and conducted studies that dehumanized Indigenous populations. His methods included taking measurements and samples without consent. These practices contributed to the pseudoscience of racial superiority, providing a false legitimacy to colonial atrocities (Czernin Verlag).
Understanding Ancestral Repatriation
Ancestral Repatriation: The process of returning human remains and cultural artifacts to their communities of origin. It restores dignity to affected communities and helps heal historical wounds caused by colonial exploitation.
Ancestral Repatriation and Cultural Identity
Returning ancestral remains is crucial for Tanzanian communities seeking to reclaim their heritage. The looting of graves severed connections to ancestors, causing cultural and spiritual harm. Repatriation efforts allow communities to perform proper burials and rituals, restoring a sense of continuity (OAPEN Library).
Moreover, acknowledging past wrongs helps in rebuilding cultural identity. As communities receive their ancestors’ remains, they can preserve traditions and pass them to future generations. This process fosters healing and strengthens communal bonds (OAPEN Library).
Institutional Restitution Efforts and Future Implications
German institutions are beginning to confront their colonial past. The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation is working to return human remains to Tanzania or ensure appropriate burials. This initiative marks a shift towards acknowledging and amending historical injustices (Deutsche Welle).
However, restitution efforts face challenges. There is no unified national policy in Germany for repatriation, so progress depends on individual institutions. Future efforts must involve sustained collaboration and dialogue with affected communities to ensure meaningful reconciliation (OAPEN Library).
Moving forward, continued education and awareness are essential. By understanding past atrocities, societies can work towards preventing such injustices in the future. The journey towards healing requires addressing the root causes of colonial exploitation and promoting equitable relationships (OAPEN Library).
The Long Road to Repatriation
In recent years, there has been a push to return these stolen remains to their rightful place. German institutions involved in keeping these remains are now moving towards reconciliation. Since 2017, researchers at Berlin’s Museum of Prehistory and Early History have used DNA analysis on skulls from Tanzania. This work aims to link these remains to their descendants (Citizen Digital).
DNA analysis has revealed connections between some skulls and Tanzanian descendants. This underlines the personal and cultural importance of these remains beyond their historical ties.
Institutional Efforts and Challenges
In January 2023, Berlin’s Museum of Pre- and Early History announced readiness to return 202 skulls to Tanzania. Part of a bigger effort, this includes remains headed for Rwanda and Kenya, marking a move towards justice (The Dial).
The path to repatriation is not easy. Germany lacks a national policy, so efforts depend on individual institutions. The Saxon State Ethnographic Museums’ active policy highlights progress but also the need for more action.
Cultural and Ethical Implications
Returning these remains means more than simply sending them back. It requires acknowledging the legacy of colonial violence and its continued impact today. For Tanzanian communities, getting back ancestral remains helps heal past trauma and reclaim cultural identity.
The process challenges European institutions to recognize their role in colonial crimes. Treating human remains like scientific objects calls for new ethical standards in anthropology and museum practices.
Towards Reconciliation and Justice
The ongoing effort to return Tanzanian remains is crucial to addressing colonial atrocities. Although progress has been achieved, significant challenges persist. Success requires commitment, honesty, and a readiness to face difficult truths.
This process offers a chance for more than returning remains. It challenges societies to rethink the power and ideologies that allowed such abuses. While Tanzania’s stolen skulls remind us of the depths of colonial cruelty, efforts to reclaim them speak to the resilience of those fighting to recover their past. This journey is not simply about history; it’s a vital step to ensuring a fairer future.
FAQ
Q: What historical events led to the theft of human remains in Tanzania?
A: The systematic theft of human remains in Tanzania is rooted in Germany’s colonial occupation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly during the Maji Maji Rebellion from 1905-1907. Anthropologist Felix von Luschan played a key role by requesting and collecting remains from the region.
Q: How did these collections contribute to racial theories?
A: The remains collected under the guise of anthropological research were used to support pseudoscientific theories of racial superiority, dehumanizing African populations and justifying colonial domination.
Q: What is being done to repatriate the stolen remains?
A: In recent years, movements have emerged to repatriate these remains. German institutions, including the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin, are conducting DNA analyses to match remains with living descendants in Tanzania.
Q: What challenges accompany the repatriation process?
A: The repatriation efforts face challenges due to a lack of comprehensive national policies in Germany, leading to reliance on individual institutions. This results in a fragmented approach, though some institutions are taking proactive steps.
Q: Why is this repatriation significant for Tanzanian communities?
A: Repatriating these remains is crucial for healing generational trauma, reclaiming cultural identity, and confronting the historical injustices stemming from colonial practices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
