Germany has been gradually confronting its colonial history, particularly the period when it ruled extensive territories in Africa. One poignant story is that of Mnyaka Sururu Mboro, who has dedicated nearly half a century to honouring the promise made to his grandmother: to retrieve the remains of Mangi Meli, a local king executed by German soldiers in 1900. Mboro, now 73 and residing in Berlin, believes that this head was taken to Germany and has never been found.
Upon moving to Heidelberg in 1978 for his studies, Mboro became aware of “Petersallee” in Berlin, named after Carl Peters, a notorious imperial commissioner. Deeply troubled by its name, Mboro could not shake off the image of his grandmother and the atrocities committed. His anxiety fuelled his drive as he co-founded Berlin Postkolonial, an organisation advocating for a critical reassessment of Germany’s colonial legacy.
Germany’s participation in colonialism was relatively late, with rulers over various African territories from 1884 to 1900. German colonial policy, marked by violence and racism, resulted in suffering for many communities. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock acknowledged this, stating that while Germany cannot erase past mistakes, it must learn and accept responsibility for its colonial actions.
The head of Meli might be among thousands of remains taken to Germany, where they were historically exploited for pseudoscientific endeavours. The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation manages approximately 5,500 to 6,000 remains from this era and is working to return them, though discovering their origins is challenging.
In recent efforts to address historical injustices, Germany has agreed to return artefacts like the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, highlighting the importance of educational initiatives surrounding its colonial past. Justice Mvemba, who leads Decolonial Tours in Berlin, aims to provide an honest narrative of this history, shedding light on ongoing racism while advocating for teaching about colonialism in schools.
Mnyaka Sururu Mboro’s quest to recover the remains of an African king reflects Germany’s struggle with its colonial past. Despite its late entry into colonialism, Germany acknowledges its violent legacy and seeks to confront it through repatriation of artefacts and education. The movements spearheaded by Mboro and Justice Mvemba strive to cultivate awareness and responsibility regarding Germany’s historical injustices and their present repercussions.
Germany’s ongoing journey to reconcile with its colonial past is symbolised by Mnyaka Sururu Mboro’s quest to recover a king’s remains. Initiatives like the Berlin Postkolonial aim to confront painful histories and challenge glorified narratives. The dismissal of colonialism in education further necessitates dialogue, with figures like Justice Mvemba advocating for transparency about the past and the ongoing impact of racism in society.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
