[restitution matters]

Filming the Prolonged Pain of Colonial Violence

For decades, families in Tanzania have been demanding the return of their ancestors’ human remains from Germany. These ancestors, executed leaders of resistance efforts against German colonial rule, were exhumed from their graves and taken to Germany. Cece Mlay discusses co-producing a new documentary on how their descendants are seeking justice and closure today.

Amidst the German apologies, preparations and negotiations, it is unclear how much the experiences of the families and communities whose ancestors’ remains were exhumed and taken away have been considered.

It is also unclear how much these communities’ traditions on conflict resolution and reconciliation are guiding the approach to restitution and repatriation.

And while public discourse around the matter is relatively new, efforts by the families who took it upon themselves to figure out how to bring their relatives home are certainly not.