In the heart of Berlin, a poignant plaque marks the site where the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 forever altered Africa’s trajectory. Unlike the stark reminders of Nazi history, this vibrant symbol serves as a stark reminder of Germany’s colonial past, put up recently by Afrikaforum. Yet, despite its significance, few locals and tourists notice its presence as they bustle towards more prominent historical landmarks, highlighting the nation’s collective amnesia about its imperial history.
The Berlin Conference represented a confluence of European interests where leaders decided Africa’s fate, carving up territories with little regard for the continent’s people. Otto von Bismarck, then Chancellor, was initially hesitant about colonial ambitions, but was swayed by pro-colonial sentiments from the German populace. In this secretive gathering, 14 nations, without any African representatives, laid the foundation for an imperial race, entrenching new rules for occupation that would later ignite a frenzy of colonisation.
Many Germans today remain unaware of this dark chapter in history. A local resident, Sanga Lenz, reflects on how her education was devoid of discussions around colonialism. For her, a startling family discovery broke the silence—a relative’s role in constructing railways in German East Africa, revealing connections long overlooked in public discourse. This echoes a sentiment among many who sense the colonial past is interwoven into Germany’s identity but is seldom acknowledged.
Activists like Nadja Ofuatey-Alazard argue that Germany’s focus on more recent atrocities, such as those committed during the Nazi regime, ignores its colonial crimes. EOTO, a group she co-directs, seeks to elevate discussions surrounding colonial history, calling for its inclusion in educational curricula. This emphasis on historical responsibility is echoed by tour guides, who lament the minimal awareness around Germany’s colonial exploits.
The brutal legacy of colonisation still resonates in modern Namibia and elsewhere, where horrific acts committed by German colonial forces have scarred communities. As descendants of victims press for recognition and reparations, the narrative often shifts to deflect blame onto other colonial powers. Activists insist Germany must confront its past head-on rather than diminish its role in the brutal exploitation of African nations and their peoples.
In the quest for recognition, conferences like the “Decolonisation” series initiated by Ofuatey-Alazard aim to confront these lingering injustices. Inviting delegates from the African diaspora allows for a counter-narrative to the colonial history often celebrated by European powers. However, calls for reparations and some historical acknowledgment remain largely unaddressed by the European Union.
Personal testimonies from individuals like Justice Lufuma Mvemba reveal the dissonance between school teachings and the lived realities of those from formerly colonised nations. Launching her own Decolonial City Tour, Mvemba aims to shed light on Berlin’s colonial connections, inviting both Germans and visitors to reclaim this history actively. Still, resistance to acknowledging this past persists, demonstrating the complexities of memory in contemporary Germany.
Germany’s colonial history remains largely unacknowledged, overshadowed by its Nazi past. The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 reshaped Africa without African representation, but many Germans today are unaware of this legacy. Activists are pushing for greater recognition and inclusion of colonial history in education, alongside calls for reparations, as debates continue in society about the implications of Germany’s imperial past that still resonate today.
In essence, Germany’s colonial history remains an underexplored narrative overshadowed by the atrocities of the Nazi regime. Efforts to memorialise this past, chiefly through plaques and educational initiatives, highlight a growing awareness yet underscore the need for deeper recognition and reparations. Activists and educators are striving to illuminate the darker chapters of history, urging society to reckon with its colonial legacy, ensuring that the conversation of accountability and remembrance unfolds with greater urgency. This narrative reveals that although Germany has engaged with its past, it must amplify its colonial history in mainstream discussions, prompting a collective confrontation of its historical responsibilities.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
