Colonial-Era Objects from the Usambara Mountains (Tanzania) in the Ethnographic Collection Göttingen: Historical Considerations and Exhibition Perspectives
Abstract
Many cultural artefacts from the German colonial period in Tanzania, whose complex histories are unknown, are stored in ethnographic museums including the Ethnographic Collection Göttingen. Nowadays, many museums want to take a more critical look at their collections, which is also reflected in current exhibition concepts.
Taking up these developments, this thesis focuses on five objects from the Usambara Mountains in north-eastern Tanzania, all of which were appropriated by collectors during the German colonial period. This region was chosen as the starting point for the research due to its importance during the German colonial period, and as these objects can be used to visualize different aspects of the colonial system.
Questions of the historical background of the region, the provenance of the objects and potential perspectives for exhibiting the objects will be explored. The aim of the thesis is to provide various ideas for possible exhibitions of the five objects, based on their historical background and provenance. In doing so, the thesis draws an arc from the colonial past in the Usambara Mountains to exhibition perspectives of the objects today.
Project Description
The first part of the thesis deals with various elements of German colonialism in the Usambara region. These include the population of the region (Shambaa), missions, “colonial science”, land use and the post-colonial situation in the region today. The following part deals with the five objects and the research into their provenance, e.g. their use, collectors and places of origin. These are the objects analyzed:
- Af 1462 - „Strohring“ (Straw ring)
- Af 2054 - „Vinyuwa“ („Vinyuwa“)
- Af 2030 - „Buschmesser“ (Bush knife)
- Af 54 - „Halskette“ (Necklace)
- Af 113 - „Saiteninstrument“ (String instrument)
On this basis, four theoretical approaches are used to analyze the perspectives of the exhibition. The theoretical approaches are as follows:
- Postcolonial approaches: Reflective Exhibiting
- Participation in museums: Exhibition as dialogue
- Objects in focus: Object-centred exhibiting
- Making research visible: Integrating provenance research into the exhibition
The methodological approach to the topic takes place on three levels. The first is research of literature based on historical and ethnographic writings. The five selected objects are then approached using the method of provenance research. Interviews are the third methodological approach and were conducted with four experts from different backgrounds, all with expertise in the field, from Tanzania.
About Me
I studied social and cultural anthropology with political science and gender studies at the University of Göttingen. During my studies, I developed a great interest in the Ethnographic Collection and its objects. As part of my studies, I studied at the University of Dar es Salaam where I was able to expand my knowledge in the German-Tanzanian history. There I got to know people working in the cultural sector. I interviewed some of them as part of my bachelor's thesis. I continue to pursue my interest in museum anthropology and have since started a Master’s program in Curatorial Studies in Frankfurt.
Summary of Findings
The provenance research on the objects provided insights into the collectors and their position in the colonial system. The expert interviews helped obtaining information about the meanings and uses of the objects. Nevertheless, many questions about the provenance of the objects remained unanswered. Consequently, impulses and questions for further research were provided.
Furthermore, the consideration of different theoretical approaches to exhibitions and the reference to statements from the interviews revealed different perspectives on how the objects could be exhibited. Each perspective emphasized different aspects that additionally emerged from the interviews and provenance research.
Reflections on the objects from the Usambara Mountains can be found in current debates in the field of museum anthropology. The research on these artefacts will remain relevant and inevitable in the future. In addition, the interviews revealed the importance of transnational dialogues on the subject and the extent to which the objects can initiate and strengthen these exchanges.