Digitization, development, publication and evaluation of the unpublished life recollections of Günther Tessmann from the supplies of the ethnological collection of the Hanseatic town Lübeck

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Karl-Heinz Kohl
• Subject Area: Social and Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 179342412

The archives of the ethnographic museum of the Hanseatic town of Lübeck hold the library estate of the German traveller Günther Tessmann (1884-1969). Although he was not a trained anthropologist, he nevertheless may be considered as one of the pioneers of ethnographic field research. The archival notes are ordered into twelve volumes documenting Tessmann's childhood and youth as well as his journeys taking him for many years to Africa and South America. A number of ethno-botanic and zoological writings are equally enclosed, as well as his pioneering discussion of cultural change phenomenon.The collection of manuscripts, containing also numerous photographs, drawings, small water colors, ticket cuts, souvenirs and other documents was labelled by Günther Tessmann himself as "My life - diary in twelve volumes". The notes shed light on his scientific-historical presuppositions, his motives and hopes as well as about the successes and failures of his research expeditions. Besides, they contain background information on Tessmann's research strategies, his research ethos, his attitude towards the indigenous population in Africa and Peru as well as to the cultural-historical importance of the ethnographic objects he collected.At the center of the research work stands the access, comment and publishing of Tessmann's life memories which up till now aren't available to the general public. In order to guarantee easy access to as well as a long term preservation of the documents they will be scanned and made available in digital form. Particularly the self-reflexive field notes among Tessmann's documents can be seen as important basis for the discussion of epistemological, methodological as well as political questions. The research project therefore aims at an essential contribution to the history of ethnology and anthropology as well as to the colonial history and to the scientific perception of the stranger in the early 20th century. Moreover, the project intends to include the etnic groups in the areas where Tessmann has done research, namely the Baja, Bafia and Bubi in Cameroon. Tessmann's ethnographic notes are important historical documents for the history and culture of these groups.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants