German Colonial Missionaries and the Majimaji Memorials in Southern Tanzania

Abstract

This article considers the role of missionaries in constructing memorials to the Majimaji sites at Mikukuyumbu, Nyangao, and Maposeni in southern Tanzania. The Majimaji war is one of the most important events in the history of Tanzania as the first attempt for freedom from colonial domination. Although the government of Tanzania constructed the National Majimaji Museum, it has failed to commemorate all battle sites with built memorials. On the other hand, missionaries have constructed memorials in all the areas where bishops, priests, and nuns were killed during the Majimaji war. Missionary memorials have been used by Southern Tanzanians—missionaries, Christians, and non-Christians. Thus, the analyses of the missionary Majimaji memorials and the use of the memorials by both missionaries and the people of southern Tanzania provides a picture of how battle sites are memorialized by different agents.