Africa in Bayreuth - a complicated history
Traces of the African presence in Bayreuth date back to the Baroque period. The University of Bayreuth - more specifically its Institute for Franconian Regional History and the Chair of African History - is shedding light on this in a wide-ranging public workshop.
Particularly in light of the current discussions about pharmacy names or carnival societies, but also in connection with the discussion about the culture of remembrance in Bayreuth, the protagonists hit a nerve. The workshop is inscribed in various fields of research: on the one hand, in the multifaceted history of today's Upper Franconia region and its interconnections with other cultural spaces; on the other hand, in the current research discourse, in which there has been intensive discussion in recent years about transcultural and post-migrant communities as well as their influences and effects on the culture of remembrance in Germany with regard to the colonial past.
We spoke to the organizers of the workshop.
Dr. Marcus Mühlnikel, Academic Council at the Institute for Franconian Regional History, University of Bayreuth
Dr. Ibrahima Sene, Member at the Chair of African History, University of Bayreuth
What was the reason for this conference? How did you come up with the idea?
Ibrahima Sene: "One current reason was the intensified debate on the post-colonial culture of remembrance in Germany with the revelation of post-colonial and racist thought and social structures in the present. Germany's colonial past and the historically asymmetrical relations between the Global North and South are now also being discussed in communities such as Bayreuth - and rightly so."
What role do current debates such as the naming of the Mohren pharmacy play?
Marcus Mühlnikel: "The discussions sometimes narrow down to the question of whether institutions should change their names (see Mohren Pharmacy) or whether architectural monuments should remain as they are because of supposedly colonialist representations (see Margrave Fountain). This also raises the question of whether certain groups in our society feel that their dignity has been violated by certain traditions. The workshop aims to address these questions and set a new tone for these discussions. With our conference, we also aim to illustrate the complexity of (colonial) history, also with regard to different perceptions of Africa. And last but not least, we would like to point out concrete relationships between the Upper Franconian region and African regions."
Under what aspects was the program curated?
Ibrahima Sene: "The academic disciplines of African history and regional history have very different approaches to and questions about the topic. We are experts in subject areas that intersect here and can be related to each other very fruitfully. This in turn opens the door to new questions. The lectures reflect our approach. For example, the speakers come from different research disciplines, but they all come together in the general theme of "Africa in everyday life in Bayreuth". In addition, actors from politics, business and the church will report on current points of contact."
Who is the event aimed at?
Marcus Mühlnikel: "The event deals with a public issue. It is therefore aimed at the wider Bayreuth community, members of the University of Bayreuth and interested members of the public. The venue is the Iwalewa House, in the heart of the city of Bayreuth. All interested parties are cordially invited."
How long does Bayreuth's connection to Africa go back?
Marcus Mühlnikel: "We have clear evidence of the presence of people from Africa during the Baroque period. For example, in addition to the "Cammertürken", there were also "Cammermohren" in the princely court of Margrave Friedrich (1711-1763), as evidenced by these names in the court calendars, which sound very strange to us today. One lecture will also deal explicitly with this early phase."
How can you describe this connection in three sentences?
Ibrahima Sene: "It is assumed that these people were at the princely court because they lent an "exotic" flair to courtly society. They probably also served as status symbols and exotic objects of prestige for the princes. This implies not only an exoticization, but also a racialization of these people."
To what extent has the concept of Africa changed in Bayreuth, or should it change in your eyes?
Marcus Mühlnikel: "Another aim of the conference is to further differentiate the concept of Africa. For example, people often generalize when talking about "Africa". However, we should not forget that the African continent is many times larger than Europe and consists of over 50 sovereign states, each with its own history and cultural background. Fortunately, many events and discussions are now taking place in Bayreuth on this topic, involving different perspectives (city administration, university, associations, etc.)."
Anja-Maria MeisterPR Spokesperson of the University of Bayreuth
Universitätsstraße 30
D - 95447 Bayreuth
Phone: +49 (0) 921 / 55 - 5300
Mail: anja.meister@uni-bayreuth.de