BERLIN // German scientists yesterday handed a delegation from Namibia the skulls of 20 people who died in a colonial concentration camp more than 100 years ago - and whose heads were seized for a research project that aimed to prove white supremacy.
The skulls were part of the anatomical collection of Berlin's university hospital, the Charité, and their return has cast a spotlight on a dark chapter of Germany's past. Namibia has been trying to get the remains repatriated since 2008 when a television documentary revealed their existence in the hospital's vaults.
The heads were from four women, 15 men and one boy, age 3 or 4. They fell victim to what historians have described as the first genocide of the 20th century - the suppression by the troops of Emperor Wilhem II of an uprising in which tens of thousands of people from the Herero and Nama tribes were killed between 1904 and 1908.
At a ceremony in Berlin, members of the Charité presented the skulls,
18 in grey boxes and two in glass cases, all surrounded by white flowers, to some 60 representatives from Namibian ethnic groups.
The 20 skulls belonged to Herero and Nama people who died in a prison camp on Shark Island, off the coast of what was then the colony of German Southwest Africa. Scurvy was the cause of death in several cases, tests showed. Some three quarters of prisoners on the island died of malnutrition, poor hygiene and exposure to the elements.
The severed heads, with skin and hair still attached, were sent to Berlin for anatomical research aimed at proving the supposed genetic superiority of white people. The tissue was subsequently removed and the skulls were put in storage in the university's medical archives, along with some 7,000 other skulls from all over the world and dating from various eras.
"The whole heads were separated from the bodies, preserved in formalin and shipped to an anthropologist in Berlin, Paul Bartels, who researched anatomy at Berlin University," said Andreas Winkelmann, who is in charge of the collection of anatomical specimens at the Charité. "He was primarily interested in examining the soft tissues, especially the muscles used in facial expressions. His doctoral students published their research from 1913 to 1915 and when you read it, you get the clear impression that they simply wanted to show that Europeans have finer, more differentiated facial muscles," said Mr Winkelmann. "They interpreted their findings accordingly."
"From today's point of view it wasn't good research, not just because of the context but because of the methodology. It was about 'race' and the idea behind it was that Africans were supposedly more primitive and perhaps closer to apes. That was the aim of this research."
Germany in 2004 apologised for the war in which some 65,000 Herero - most of the 85,000-strong population - and 10,000 Nama were killed, but it has refused demands from descendants to pay compensation, arguing that international laws on the protection of civilians did not exist at the time of the conflict.
It has, however, paid large sums of aid to Namibia.
Members of the Namibian delegation reiterated their demands this week that Germany should pay compensation for the crimes.
For Namibians, the handover of the 20 skulls was a symbolic step in coming to terms with their past and reminding the world of Germany's guilt.
"The repatriation of the skulls gives voice to the dead to tell their own story to the world about how absurd and inhumane German colonialism was towards black communities in Namibia," said the former Namibian ambassador to Germany, Professor Peter Katjavivi.
It was not only scientists who seized human remains in Africa. Adventurers, traders and soldiers also sent back body parts as trophies of their conquests that remain in museum vaults, university archives and private collections in Germany. The University of Freiburg is also examining skulls in its possession that could have come from Namibia.
The director of the Medical History Museum at the Charité, Thomas Schnalke, said: "We acknowledge that German science made itself guilty at the time. We want to apologise for that. We are not the owners of the skulls that were prepared, sent here and researched in questionable circumstances."
He said it had taken years to arrange the handover because the hospital first had to be sure about where the heads came from. The identities of the 20 skulls were not known because no records were kept of the names of the dead. Their origin was determined by examining catalogues in the university archives.
"We are examining further skulls that may have come from Namibia," said Mr Winkelmann. "We can say there will definitely be some more, probably a similar number." In addition, Australian scientists have been working with Charité to identify the geographic origin of possible Aboriginal skulls. They, too, could be returned home.
The skulls at Charité were due to be flown to Namibia on Tuesday and a state memorial service is to be held in the capital, Windhoek, the following day. They cannot be buried according to Namibian tradition because the bodies complete. The remains will then be exhibited at the National Museum of Namibia.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
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Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
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1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
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- Professional ethics.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
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5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
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Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
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Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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