Geschichte(n) Tansanias
In the organizer's words:
The territory of present-day Tanzania is characterized by an eventful history. Due to its location on the Indian Ocean, the societies there were part of transregional trade networks early on.
During German colonial rule, Tanzania was part of the colony of "German East Africa" (1884/85-1918/19), followed by the British colony of "Tanganyika" (until 1961). The consequences of oppression, exploitation and violence continue to have an impact to this day. During colonialism, thousands of cultural belongings were brought to Germany. The Ethnological Museum in Berlin houses more than 10,000 'objects' from present-day Tanzania.
Special exhibition
What stories do these cultural belongings tell?
Various narratives, perspectives and cultural belongings are used to show the centuries-long interconnections of present-day Tanzania. A special focus is placed on the period of colonial oppression and exploitation. Colonial narratives are critically reflected upon and racist attributions are questioned.
The exhibition was developed collaboratively and is characterized by diverse narratives and perspectives. The curators from Dar es Salaam, Songea and Berlin as well as representatives of communities in Tanzania have their say in texts and film interviews in the exhibition. Works by East African artists critically examine the colonial gaze. The cultural belongings and the different perspectives are presented in an architecture made of teak and bamboo, which both protects the 'objects' and offers an aesthetic and sensual experience.
Short film project City Research
An integral part of the exhibition is the international student project City Research. Two groups of students - one in Berlin, one in Dar es Salaam - set out to investigate the city and examine traces of colonialism that are still recognizable today. They created short films that deal with buildings, street names and squares, for example, which are shown in the exhibition.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the National Museum of Tanzania, the Ethnological Museum and the Central Archive,Staatliche Museen Berlin - Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz and the Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss.
Events
The exhibition "History(s) of Tanzania" is complemented by a diverse program of events that presents current artistic positions from Tanzania and the Tanzanian diaspora, which not only reflect the long shadow of the colonial era in an artistic and critical way, but also formulate visions of the future beyond colonial narratives.
Tanzanian artists from the fields of film, dance, photography, media art and music provide insights into current debates, aesthetics and strategies of cultural (re)appropriation.
- The exhibition is free of charge.
- Languages: German/English
- Temporary exhibition space, 2nd floor in the Humboldt Forum
- Opening hours: Exhibitions: Wednesdays to Mondays from 10:30 - 18:30. Tuesday is a regular closing day.
This content has been machine translated.
Location
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