Projects

Mental Map: A way to access information from the Maji Maji war victims in southern Tanzania

Maji Maji War zone in Tanzania
Maji Maji War zone in Tanzania
LOCATION

Kilwa, Ndanda and Sonega, Tanzania

SYNOPSIS AND POSITION

The study will add mental mapping which has not been widely used in the archaeological studies and more specifically in Maji Maji war studies. i.e the methods for this study will combine ethnographic and geographical approach in accessing information from Maji Maji war victims/survivors. More emphasis will be placed in mental mapping where as sketches and maps will be developed to complement stories told. All groups of the community will be involved; the project will ensure respondents include youths, elders and students of the communities. All gender and major religion (Christians and Muslims) will be included to ensure equal representation. The mental maps and sketches produced from the project will portray how the contemporary community view or re imagine the Maji Maji war. This will be the contemporary communities’ perception about the war and how it has been documented from one generation to another; in other words the study will tap the transgenerational memories of the Maji Maji war from the affected communities.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

To tap the transgenerational memories of the Maji Maji war from the affected communities

Methods

  • Mapping and sketching the war
  • Observations
  • Interviews
  • Focus group discussion
  • Video recording
  • Photography

WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

  • 23 July 2021 and 22 February 2022 Maji maji war commemoration event in Songea 

ACTIVITIES

Data collection in KilwaNdanda and Songea (Southern Tanzania) 

Women's focus group discussion in Kilwa Kipatimu
Women's focus group discussion in Kilwa Kipatimu
Men focus group discussion Kilwa Kipatimu
Men focus group discussion Kilwa Kipatimu
Identifying Maji Maji War Location in Ndanda
Identifying Maji Maji War Location in Ndanda
Maji Maji Warriors’ grave in Songea region
Maji Maji Warriors’ grave in Songea region

Maps show: 1) Maji Maji War Map prepared from Ndanda respondents’ data; 2) Maji Maji War Map from Songea respondents’ data; 3) Maji Maji War Map from Kilwa Kipatimu respondents’ data.

All Images copyright © Hawa Mkwela

Songea, Tanzania

Kilwa, Tanzania

Ndanda, Tanzania