In this Book

Namibia and Germany: Negotiating the Past

Book
Reinhart Kossler
2015
summary
100 years since the end of German colonial rule in Namibia, the relationship between the former colonial power and the Namibian communities who were affected by its brutal colonial policies remains problematic, and interpretations of the past are still contested. This book examines the ongoing debates, conflicts and confrontations over the past. It scrutinises the consequences of German colonial rule, its impact on the descendants of victims of the 1904–08 genocide, Germany’s historical responsibility, and ways in which post-colonial reconciliation might be achieved.100 years since the end of German colonial rule in Namibia, the relationship between the former colonial power and the Namibian communities who were affected by its brutal colonial policies remains problematic, and interpretations of the past are still contested. This book examines the ongoing debates, conflicts and confrontations over the past. It scrutinises the consequences of German colonial rule, its impact on the descendants of victims of the 1904-08 genocide, Germany's historical responsibility, and ways in which post-colonial reconciliation might be achieved.

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page, Copyright

pp. i-iv

Contents

pp. v-vi

Abbreviations

pp. vii-viii

Preface and Acknowledgements

pp. ix-xiv

Introduction: A Special Postcolonial and Transnational Relationship

pp. 1-10

Part I - The Burden of History

1. Namibia’s Century of Colonialism – a Fragmented Past in an Unequal Society

pp. 13-48

2. Germany: From Late Coloniser to First Postcolonial Nation to Postcolonial Amnesia

pp. 49-78

3. The First Genocide of the 20th Century and the Holocaust: Structural Parallels – Discursive Continuities?

pp. 79-98

4. Namibia’s Germany:Transnational Implications of Settler Colonialism

pp. 99-116

5. The Namibian Connection in Denialism

pp. 117-146

6. The Windhoek Rider: Contested Terrain, Multiple Meanings

pp. 147-168

Part II - Community, Commemoration and Performance

7. Communal Reconstruction and Subaltern Traditions

pp. 171-186

8. Constructing and Claiming Identities and Spaces: Commemorations in Southern and Central Namibia

pp. 187-228

9. Beyond a Fragmented Image of History

pp. 229-238

Part III - Apology, Restitution & Reparation: The Challenge of Postcolonial Reconciliation

10. A Mute Conversation: The Rise of the Reparations Issue

pp. 241-254

11. Half an Apology – Political Re-Alignments

pp. 255-280

12. The Saga of the Skulls: Restitution Without Recognition

pp. 281-324

Conclusion: Perspectives in the Long Aftermath of Genocide

pp. 325-338

Glossary

pp. 339-342

Bibliography

pp. 343-376

Index

pp. 377-385

About the author / About the cover photograph

pp. 386-386

Back cover

Back To Top