Why Activists Want Berlin's African Quarter Renamed

In this Berlin neighbourhood, streets bearing the names of colonial leaders raise issues of cultural heritage in the capital. Activists are now campaigning for the streets to be renamed, and for the country to rethink its ties to its imperial past.

Lüderitzstrasse, named after businessman Adolf Lüderitz, implicated in the creation of Germany’s colony

Background

Most people don’t know about the Afrikanisches Viertel or so-called ‘African Quarter’ of Berlin, located in the borough of Wedding, where the streets still bear the names of colonies and the military leaders who ruled them. Activists are calling this ‘Berlin’s street of shame’, and have been appealing for Germany to face up to its uncomfortable, imperial past.

History

During the scramble, Germany seized Togo and Cameroon, German Southwest Africa, which is today’s Namibia, and German East Africa, today’s Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. As Germany moved in, many bloody battles were fought between Africans defending their land and the colonialists, who came equipped for war with modern industrial weapons.

Map of German possessions in colonial Africa as in 1913

Germany and Africa today

Today, it is estimated that between 300,000 and 800,000 people with African origins live in Germany, of whom 20,000 live in Berlin. Those who call Berlin’s so-called African Quarter home have been petitioning as far back as 2011 for the re-naming of streets and the balancing of historical heritage by the city.

Berlin’s streets

For example, Lüderitzstraße is named after Adolf Lüderitz who earned himself the nickname ‘Lügenfrit’ or ‘lie buddy’, and claimed the entire coastal of strip from South Africa to Angola, over 220,000 square miles. Petersallee is named after Carl Peters, the impetus behind the creation of German colonies and a man nicknamed ‘Hangman Peters’, with a reputation for cruelty and brutality towards Africans. For many Africans living in the capital, these names ring with sinister resonance, and are seen as colonial relics.

Petitioned changes

Not only do activists want these insensitive reminders of an unjust history changed, they also want more awareness to be made around Germany’s dealings with Africa and for African names to be honoured. Germany has been pretty conscious and active in owning up to its violent past in many ways, but its involvement in Africa seems to remain overlooked and underplayed.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.