German colonial crimes in Tanzania – Families search for their ancestors' remains | DW Documentary
John Mbano from Tanzania is determined to find the remains of his great-grandfather. Songea Mbano was murdered by the German colonial army. For generations, his family has mourned at an empty, plundered grave.
More than a hundred years ago, Songea Mbano’s skull was brought to Germany for racist research purposes. John and his wife embark on a journey that changes their lives. They begin their research with great determination and finally travel to Berlin to search for the bones of their ancestor.
Here, they meet activists campaigning to spotlight the denials and omissions in the reappraisal of German colonial history. With their help, the couple approaches the relevant German institutions with their request; to find and bring home the remains of their family member. It’s an experience marked with highs and lows, raised hopes and disappointments.
Even a historic visit by the German President to John’s hometown doesn’t bring them back; but undeterred, the family continues its campaign. The film examines the global debate over the return of these stolen human remains from a personal perspective. Because behind the political discussion are real people still suffering to this day from the colonial past and its consequences. Their struggle paves the way for a future that can free itself from the anguish of the past.
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Video “German colonial crimes in Tanzania – Families search for their ancestors' remains | DW Documentary” was uploaded on 09/12/2025 by DW Documentary Youtube channel.