Discussions revealed strong community interest in the impacts of colonial dispossession and the importance of restitution. Many participants came forward to report stories of ancestors who disappeared during the colonial period, believing that their remains may have been taken to Europe. Others recognised possible family connections to individuals whose names or partial biographies have recently been uncovered in German archival records by the Marejesho research team.
Pictures Tumsifu Kombe, Northwood Media
The participants emphasised the value of the Marejesho Research and Information Centre as a hub for community engagement and knowledge sharing, while also highlighting the need for more similar centres across Tanzania. Some suggested establishing additional local hubs in places such as Kahe or Arusha. Attendees called for ongoing support from German and Tanzanian governments for these initiatives.
The research team will align its research questions with those arising from the community workshop (“Research on Demand”).
Across all discussion groups, participants emphasised the importance of respecting local cultural protocols for the return and reburial of ancestral remains. While traditions differ between communities, the conversations revealed remarkable common ground regarding the respectful treatment of both human remains and cultural belongings held in German collections.
