Memory of Bilillee: Cottbus creates a memorial for slave of the prince
Memory of Bilillee: Cottbus creates a memorial for slave of the prince
In Cottbus, a significant memorial was inaugurated today, which is reminiscent of the life of Bilillee Machbuba. The 50th memorial location as part of the “Frauenorte” project sees itself as a memorial and clears up with the light and dark sides of German history. The plaque is attached to the Brandenburg University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) and invites you to think about the colonial past and its effects. Tagesschau reports that Bilillee around 1825 in Abessine, today's Ethiopia, reports was born and was sold as a minor to slavery.
Bilillee became an orphanage at the age of about eleven after their parents were murdered. It was brought to Cairo or Khartum several hundred kilometers to a slave market. Hermann Ludwig Heinrich von Pückler-Muskau, better known as Prince Pückler, acquired her around 1837 and often described her in his letters as his "mistress". Her name "Machbuba" means "lover" in Arabic. Pückler took them on their trip and introduced them to European nobles, which underlines how people were treated at this time as if they were objects. The memorial location should not only honor Bilille's fate, but also address the questions of memory and responsibility.
a place of commemoration and reflection
The Machbuba memorial location is accompanied by a project seminar under the direction of Patricia Vester, which deals intensively with culture of remembrance. In a joint event on July 9th, the stories of other black or migrant women from Brandenburg are to be discussed. The seminar, which takes place in the summer semester 2025, opens the dialogue about the colonial past and highlights the resistance of the women concerned. Women's towns Brandenburg emphasizes that thanks to the collaboration with the BTU and Prof. Dr. Melanie Jaeger heirs this significant place could be realized.
The presence of Bilille's story in Cottbus is not only a sign of memory, but also a call for reflection on colonial violence. As BTU President Gesine Grande emphasizes, it is essential to deal with colonial history in order to be able to better understand the current social challenges.
The role of women in colonial history
In this context, the founding of the German Colonial Women's Association in 1907 is also important. This organization, which aimed at sending white women into the colonies, wanted to pursue a racially motivated policy under the pretext of the "protection of Germanism". The members of the women's association were often active in organizations who organized colonial festivals and lectures on the donation collection. You can find detailed information about the Frauenbund and its shops on Colonialism meet .
The inauguration of the Machbuba memorial location is a step in the right direction to make the stories of women who are often in the shade in history. It is time to learn from the lessons of the past and to raise awareness of today's society. A good knack for the future begins with dealing with your own history.
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| Ort | Campus der BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 6-8, 03046 Cottbus, Deutschland |
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