Research, Mission, Emigration
The exploration and scientific ‘research’ of the world, but also missionary work, created the conditions for colonial expansion. Objects such as maps, donation boxes, collected natural materials and ‘souvenirs’ from the colonies are critically examined and placed in the context of the exhibition. Missionary societies such as the Bethel Mission from what is now Bielefeld and the Rhenish Mission from Barmen were active not only in the colonies, but also in Westphalia. After taking possession, the German Empire promoted the colonies as settlement areas for those wishing to emigrate. Reports, images and the ideas that Germans brought back home from the colonies continue to shape our perceptions of people in the Global South to this day.
Biographies and Exhibits
A ‘Pioneer’ and Colonial Official
(1854–1922)
Ein „Pionier“ und Kolonialbeamter
The architect August Leue (1854–1922) from Dützen near Minden became secretary general of the German East African Society in 1885. From 1887 onwards, he lived in German East Africa and worked in various administrative posts and as a district captain. As a captain, he took part in military conflicts with the indigenous population in order to enforce ‘German colonial claims’. After 1900, he settled as a farmer in the north of the colony.
Leues House in Leudorf (Arusha/German East Africa)
Did you know that...
Leue named a place in German East Africa after himself: what is now Leganga in Tanzania was originally called Leudorf.
Mask from Burkina Faso
(2nd half of the 20th century)
From the estate of the Roman Catholic missionary order of the White Fathers, which had been active in the African mission since 1868.
