The History Closer to the People: Collecting and Accessing the Archival Materials and Objects of Archives in Peramiho Abbey in Tanzania
Introduction
The Archive in Peramiho Abbey is one of the oldest and the best Archives in East Africa. It was established in 1976 by the third Abbot of Peramiho, Fr. Lambert Doerr OSB, who was also an historian by profession. The Archive contains numerable and valuable documents from 1860 to the present day. The documents available are pictures, files, objects, newspapers, chronicles, and letters about the pre-history and life of the Ngoni society under the Chiefdoms in the Southern Tanzania. There are also numerous documents for intercultural relationship of different tribes (before and after the arrival of the Ngoni People from South Africa), the movement of slave trades, the beginning of colonialism and German Colonial Rule, Maji Maji War and First World war and the British Rule. The great part of the Archive contains documents for Information of works of missionaries in collaboration with the Ngoni People before and after the independence of today’s Tanzania.
The archives in Peramiho Abbey are a primary source for many disciplines like History, Philosophy, Theology, Anthropology, Medicine, Law, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, sociology, Biology, Political Science, Agriculture, Geography, different skills and other many disciplines.
In 2015 the late Abbot Lambert Doerr OSB who was an Archivist and Historian handed over the work of Archives to Fr. Lucius Masquarhart OSB who took over the responsibility of Archivist until his death in October 2021. In the last five years of his life Fr. Lucius OSB requested Dr. Fr. Xaver Kazimoto Komba to assist him in the Work of Archives. Dr. Fr. Kazimoto was a student of Abbot Lambert and wrote his Doctorate on Pastoral Theology about the Sustainability of the Church from the Maximilian University of Munich in German Language. In assisting Fr. Lucisu and supporting the Work in Archives of Peramiho Dr. Fr. Kazimoto made some important recommendations on how to improve the Archives in Peramiho. These include but not limited to creating membership for the use of the Archive, establishing a Public Archive which will be accessible for both members and non-members of the Congregation, to make the restoration of old books and files in the Archive, to make collection of the Archival Materials and Objects from all the Parishes which were under the Peramiho Abatia Nullius. These were all the old Parishes from Songea Archdiocese, Njombe, Mbinga and Tunduru. Another Recommendation and advise for improving the Archives in Peramiho was to translate the documents from German Languages to Swahili and English, also to establish an Online system in the Archive and Digitalization of the Archival materials and creating team of experts who will be dealing in writing more books about the History of Missionary in Peramiho.
The Problem of Accessibility to the Archives
The present set up of the Archives in Peramiho Abbey consists of the combination of the documents for the congregation with life and works of the missionaries, liturgical celebrations, ethical and disciplinary methods to the members of the congregation and secular studies. It is in the Clausura (Enclosure) and therefore, it does not give room and freedom for the non-members to access it. Only members of the Congregation and others for special permit can access and use those Archival Materials of the Archives in Peramiho. This limitation can only be solved by creating a Public Archive which will be free and accessible to every individual.
The Status Quo of the Documents
Most of the documents in the Archives of Peramiho Abbey are in danger of disappearing. Many manuscripts have been written by the special handwriting with ink pen and pencil and many documents have been destroyed by insects like, termites, cocroches and rabits. Almost 18 % of the documents of the Archives in Peramiho Abbey are estimated to be damaged and in danger of disappearing. Therefore, there is an urgent need of restoration mechanism, rescuing them and protection of those documents which are in great danger.
The Languages Barrier
Almost 85% percent of the documents in the Archives of Peramiho Abbey are in German Language and very few are in English, Latin, Swahili, French and Local languages. Many documents cannot be used because of the language barrier. Some few students and scholars who have luck to request Dr. Xaver Komba to support them to get the relevant documents of the archives through the general translation or interpretation of the contents of the available documents. In order to make all the documents of the Archive to be accessible the translation and Interpretation of these documents into English and Swahili is important.
The Aim and Objectives of the Project
The main goal of this research is to collect the remaining materials from the Parish, translating and digitalizing these archival documents and making them accessible to the public through traditional dances, Music, Songs, poets, poems and drama in the schools and different events in Songea.
The specific objectives are:
- To collect and restore or repair the remaining archival materials and objects from different parishes and Institutions of the Archdiocese of Songea, Njombe and Mbinga
- To establish a Public Archive for the access and use of all members without limitation
- To train an Archivist from Peramiho Abbey who will manage work in the Archives for the public use and Sustainable Development of the Society.
- To train the members of the community how to set their small Archives in their Institutions
- To make advocacy/dissemination through Study Tours, meetings and workshops during the research for villagers, primary and secondary Schools students on the importance of Archive and the cultural values in Southern Tanzania
- To offer an opportunity for students, academicians and stakeholders to exchange and share ideas, concept and experience on Ngoni Values for Nation-Building
- To apply the contents of archival materials for making aware the History teachers around Peramiho by translating those documents through traditional dances, music, drama, poems, poets in the schools and for different events in the Ngoni Society.
- To use social media to educate the scholars, general public and young generation of pupils and students on the sense of Ownership and importance of cultural values for legacies, equality, peace and Sustainable Development
- To present and demonstrate the women participation as the foundation for the principle of Majengenelu and their contribution during the Majimaji war, First World War and for building up the local History in Southern Tanzania
- To produce textbook as guidelines that will help in teaching and understanding of Majimaji War and Second World War basing on Cultural Values and human Security
- To establish a Historical and Cultural Week in the historical villages like Maposeni, Mbinga Mharule, Mpitimbi and Peramiho for demonstrating and presenting their values which have been documented in the archival materials for Sustainable Development.
The Contents of the Archives in Peramiho
Some people might think that, the Archives in Peramiho Abbey deals with documents and information about Religions and Catholic Missionaries. This is not true because the Archives in Peramiho Abbey contains different documents, books, files and topics as follow:
- Letters
- Pictures
- Articles
- Correspondences with St. Ottilien Abbey, Muensterschwarzach Abbey, Rome-Vatican, German Government, Embassy of German in Tanzania etc.
- Maps and Plans for different Mission Stations
- Purchasing of different Plot for founding the Parishes and religious Institutions
- The Chronic of the Missionaries
- Documentations of different Local languages
- Documentation of Local Skills
- Documentation of life and culture of the people
- Register for Birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage and death(cause for death) in different parishes
- The relationship between the Missionaries and the Local Chiefs
- The Buying of the Slaves by the Missionaries
- The Slave trades routes from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mbambabay, Kikole (Near Peramiho) to Kilwa
- The Apostolic Visitation of Archabbot from St. Ottilien to Peramiho
- The Link between Peramiho Abbey and other Abbeys like St. Ottilien, Muensterschwarzach in Germany, Ndanda (Bishop Gallus Steiger OSB)
- The Missionaries Works in agriculture, mechanics, building and construction, carpentry with Local peoples
- The Establishment of different Mission Stations and Schools of Peramiho, Kigonsera, Lituhi, etc.
- The Relationship between the Church/Missionary and German Colonial Government
- The Maji Maji War and the contribution of the missionaries to support the local people against hunger after the Maji Maji War
- The First World War and its effects to Missionary Work and Development of the People
- The New Missionaries of different Nationalities to rescue the established Missionary Works
- The expansion by establishing new parishes
- The recruitment of local people to take over the missionaries Works
- The agreement between the Benedictine Congregation of St. Ottilien and the Local Bishops of Songea, Njombe, Mbinga
- The change from the Missionary Church to the Local Church
- The Establishment of others Benedictines Monasteries of Hanga- Songea, Chipole Sisters, Tigoni in Kenya and Mvima in Sumbawanga
- The Relationship between Missionaries with other religions like Muslims, Anglican and Luthern and African religion
- The Projects of Peramiho Abbey like Water project, Health Project of Peramiho Hospital, Hydroelectric Power, Printing Press, Trade Schools, Secondary School and Nursing School
- The Situation of the Missionary after the Independence
- The Relationship between local Churches and Missionary of Peramiho
- The Documents from Tanzania Episcopal Conference(TEC)
The Justification of the Project
Many researchers and Scholars in Tanzania are facing a big problem of reading, interpreting, using and translating these documents which are in German language. This lack of ownership to the local History and lack of access to these materials which have been documenting the History, Culture, indigenous Skills, local Languages, Maji Maji War, First World War, Missionary and Research works during the German colonial Period in Tanzania, have created a big gap of knowledge and misunderstanding for development of Tanzanians scientists, researchers, scholars, students, politicians and civilians for attaining equality, peace and sustainable Development of Tanzania.
Besides, the preservation of local historical archives, particularly the Archives of Peramiho Abbey, which is an utterly important site for the historical area, the archive holds records of missionary interactions with local society, correspondence with state (colonial) administration, relation of the Missionaries and the State and detailed missionary enquires into local culture, religion, and life worlds from the German colonial period to the present. Therefore, it is extremely important to access and interpret those materials of the Archives in Peramiho Abbey for the public use like in the primary and secondary Schools, Colleges, Universities and for the use of the local Community in Songea. The archival materials will be translated and used in the schools in written form and through traditional dances and music, songs, poets, poems and drama in different events and in schools and this will enable the majority of Ngoni people to be the owner of their History and closer to the History for Sustainable Development.
The reason why this project is very important to take place, can be summarized by the arguments of the existing system of Archive, which is not accessible to everyone, Language Barrier, etc. Therefore, the Archives in Peramiho Abbey needs good set up with catalogue, trained archivist, collecting of the remaining documents from different parishes, translation of the documents in English and Swahili languages and digitalization.
The Experiment and Experience from Five Parishes
The team of Experts guided by Dr. Xaver Kazimoto Komba and others from the University of Dar es Salaam, Ndanda Abbey and Peramiho Abbey started an experiment of collecting the remaining materials from different parishes. This experiment was done in five different parishes of Kigonsera, Ruanda, Lituhi, Matimira and Namabengo and the results were very positive. We managed to collect a bundle of documents and numerous books which have been set in a special room at Peramiho near to the Bookshop.
The experience showed that, there are a lot of documents existing in the parishes and most of them are in danger of disappearing and even to be burnt because the nature of the documents is seen of no importance for them. This collection of the remaining materials and Objects is a continuous process which will be done also to others 11 parishes of the Archidiocese of Songea(Mgazini, Liganga, Magagura, Mpitimbi, Ligera,Chengena, Mkongo, Namtumbo, Mtyangimbole, Kitanda, Mahanje), 11 parishes of Mbinga Diocese (Litumba, Lundu, Mango, Makwai, Nangombo, Litembo, Maguu, Mpapa, Liparamba, Likonde and Lundumato) and 10 Parishes of Njombe Diocese(Uwemba,Kifanya, Lugarawa, Madunda, Lupanga, Lupinge, Ludewa, Mavanga, Manda). We are expecting to reach about 32 Parishes in different phases.
The Acceptance of the Abbey of Peramiho and Other Stakeholders for the Project
The Prior of Peramiho Abbey and the members of the Congregation of the Benedictine Missionary of Peramiho Abbey showed the acceptance of the project by providing a special room which will be a future Public Archive of Peramiho. They also provided transport to visit different parishes for collecting the remaining materials. Also 10 Parish Priests from different parishes of the Archdiocese of the Songea who had an opportunity to visit the new set up of the Public Archive in the Book shop building of Peramiho were very impressed with the project and there was ready to make collaboration. Als the Workshop of about 32 members of the community raised the high interest and spirit of collecting the remaining materials for the public Archives in Peramiho. The participants of the workshop were very active and are ready to collect documents and objects for the project.
The Desirable Outcomes
1. Sense of Ownership: The whole society of Songea will be proud and owner of their history because they will access the genuine source of their history which is documented in the archive.
2. Training of Archivists: This project will offer and open an opportunity to Historian Teachers to be aware of the archival materials in Peramiho Abbey and will provide a basic training of the Archivist of Peramiho Abbey to the level of Certificate or Diploma for the purpose of using the archival Materials for building the local History
3. Traditional Skills and Competences: The Archival Materials have documented many old objects and Instrument of the local peoples which show their skills and competence in solving the daily problems of the time. This will awake the spirit of innovation and discovery in the Ngoni people and solving problems surrounding them like of climate, hunger, conflicts, socio-economic problems in the society.
4. Promoting the Local tradition: There is about 15 different traditional dances n the Ngoni Society. The contents of the archival material will be translated and used by the different traditional dances and music during their festival and sending the message to the audiences about their life, strategies and methods used by the ancestors before and after Maji Maji War.
5. Income through the Historical week: In four different villages there will be the rotation of historical week Feast which will be organized by the elders and villagers to educate and promote their history and culture. This historical Week will be for demonstration and presentation of their cultural values. Through the historical weeks the traditional foods, objects will be sold to get the income to the people and build the domestic tourism among the people.
6. Study Tours to other Archives (e.g. Ndanda Abbey): Building the culture of sharing and know how transfer and exchange to other Archives like of Ndanda, Zanzibar Archives, Bagamoyo, St. Ottilien and others
7. Widening of Knowledge: The archival materials contain valuable information of the Ngoni migration from South Africa through Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Through this information people will inform of their relatives and neighborhood with people from those countries. This will widen their horizon and strengthen the friendship and sharing of knowledge among themselves in the society.
The Methodology
The direct contact with people is the key to participatory research. The methods which will be applied include Visit and Meeting to the Centres which are considered to have the remaining materials of the Archives, Workshop with the selected groups, Interview, Study tours and quality work in the Archives. The “Mayeuticer” approach will be applied. This is the relationship between the Midwife and a pregnant woman. The researchers will take the role of a Midwife and those who will be involve like administrators and History teachers in the Centres will take the role of pregnant woman because they are in the place and responsible for every steps for the good final End.
The presentation, workshop, Training, discussion of research works, Study tour, Advocacy, Sensitization, dissemination will be applied to reach the objectives of this research.
The Outputs and Expected Results
The outputs of this research will be to create the sense of ownership and confidence on history and cultural values during the Majimaji war for equality, peace and Sustainable Development among the people of Southern Tanzania. Training component will build for build up the capacity to the History teachers and Archivists. Another impact will be to facilitate the public to have access and better understanding of their history and cultural value by reducing the language barrier of the archival documents. In this regard, a special room at Ngoni Elder and cultural office in Songea will be opened and used for public use without discrimination of their education level or religion to the documented and digitized materials on Cultural Value based on the principle of Majengenelu of Ngoni Ancestors during Majimaji War and First World War in Songea, Southern Tanzania.
Legacy and Sustainability
After the implementation of the project of the Science of Ngoni on the principle of Majengunelu, the project will be continued with different activities in their respective ward as follow;
- Training of the Archivist will widen the horizon and understanding of the local History for the Sustainable Development
- The Entertainment of different people for Study Tours to the Cultural and Historical villages
- To train young people especially during the Holiday on the importance of Archival Materials for Traditional values and culture like Jando and Unyago
- To organize the Annual Celebration on the Ngoni Historical Week and their Sciences
- Sales of different traditional Goods like traditional Breads, ports, basket, grinding stones etc..
- History Teachers will know their source and will use them for improving their teaching materials
- The project will lead to the establishment of Tanzania Association of Archives
This project will create job opportunity to the people for self-employment in those villages. It is estimated to create about 4 job opportunities who will provide services in those historical villages during the Ngoni Historical and Cultural Week.
The Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the projects will be 32 Parishes and Institutions of the Archdiocese of Songea, Njombe and Mbinga Dioceses. In every point where the collection of remaining materials will be done there will be done the set-up of New Archive for the public use. Peramiho Abbey will be the direct beneficiary of the Project and special account with the name of PUBLIC ACCOUNT OF PERAMIHO ABBEY will be opened for implementing this project.
The Team of Researchers for the Project
This project will be implemented using different stakeholders from both Tanzania and Germany. The Main Researcher and Project leader is Dr. Fr. Xaver Kazimoto Komba in collaboration experiences and expert of Dr. Richard Hoelzt of Museum Fuenf Kontinente from Munich and Expert from the University of Dusseldorf in Germany, Prof. Dr. Michel Stefanie as a consultant and advisor of the project and Dr. Michaels Roesser from the University of Bamberg. The experts from the Benedictine will be Prior Father Melkior Kayombo OSB and Fr. Frederick Mwabena OSB from Peramiho Abbey and Br. Julian Glienke OSB from Muensterschwarzach-Germany.
Therefore, this project will use the Multidisciplinary approach as the best method for Know How Transfer and accessing the archival documents for Ngoni history and Cultural Values from both Archives of Peramiho Abbey and Ndanda Abbey in Southern Tanzania for Sustainable Development.
Duration of the Project
The whole project is expected to be implemented in the period of five years (5) from 2023 and the Lecture Program in Germany will take place from 26 October to 15th December 2028
Prepared by
Dr. Fr. Xaver Kazimoto Komba
Researcher and Project Leader
E-Mail:
[email protected] or
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