This article analyses the complex histories and contemporary uses of a colonial-era photograph of Nduna Songea Mbano Lwafu, a sub-chief in Tanzania, taken before his execution during the Majimaji War (1904–1908). The photograph, initially used for colonial anthropological purposes, has been repurposed in postcolonial Tanzania to memorialise and honour national heroes. The study traces the photograph’s journey from its creation by German colonial forces to its current role in Tanzanian museums, textbooks and artistic expressions. By analysing its use in various contexts, the article addresses the broader implications of addressing colonial visual materials that resonate with violent histories. The article highlights how the photograph’s materiality allowed it to be transformed and reinterpreted in Tanzanian cultural forms such as carvings, sculptures and calendars. It discusses the methodological approach of using oral history to provide context to the photograph, underscoring the importance of understanding the colonial violence that accompanied its creation. The article argues for the need to critically engage with colonial photographs to prevent the erasure or misrepresentation of historical figures and events. Through this case study, the article contributes to broader discussions on the politics of memory, the decolonisation of visual archives and the dynamic nature of photographic meanings in postcolonial settings.