A variety of narratives, perspectives, and cultural belongings are used to illustrate the centuries of entanglements that are part of the history of today’s Tanzania. The exhibition focuses particularly on the period of colonial oppression and exploitation. Colonial narratives are viewed in a critical light and racist attributions are called into question.
The territory of modern-day Tanzania has a chequered history. On account of its position on the Indian Ocean, the communities there became part of transregional trading networks early on. During German colonial rule, what is now Tanzania was part of the colony known as “German East Africa” (1884/85–1918/19); it subsequently became a British colony called “Tanganyika” (until 1961). The impact of the oppression, exploitation, and violence perpetrated in the colonial period can still be felt today. During colonialism, thousands of cultural belongings were brought to Germany. More than 10,000 “objects” from the territory of modern-day Tanzania are held by the Ethnologisches Museum in Berlin.
The exhibition was developed collaboratively and presents multiple stories and perspectives.