The ancestors are not (yet) allowed to return to Tanzania

[in English and in German] The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) transfers custody of three ancestors to the Molelia family of Tanzania. They now have sole control over the remains. Howe ver, immediate repatriation to Kibosho is not possible because it requires the approval of the Tanzanian government, which has not yet responded to the SPK’s offer to return the remains.

In February 2026, 72-year-old Sirili Molelia and his son Tony (38) from Tanzania travelled to Germany at the invitation of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK).

German soldiers murdered their (great) grandfather, a traditional king on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, 126 years ago.

The skulls of those killed and numerous cultural belongings were transported to Germany.

Through the mediation of Mnayaka Sururu Mboro, diaspora activist from Berlin Postkolonial, and artist Konradin Kunze (Flinnworks), DNA tests carried out in 2023 on remains from Kibosho in the possession of the SPK yielded positive results.

Their immediate repatriation to Kibosho requires the approval of the Tanzanian government. The government has appointed a high-level restitution committee. In March 2025 but not yet issued a statement to the German government.

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