Kiswahili

Kwai Farm

Continued

Kwai Farm and Valley, c. 1914

Dobbertin took this photograph from farther away and included the barns, butchery and and upper valley. The image characterizes the tree planting campaigns that went on around these estates. Eick’s workers planted the Eucalyptus groves above the houseand put in an extensive garden of experimental plants both at Kwai and nearby Mkuzi. They also herded cattle on the pastures that the Mbugu pastoralists had created in both valleys.

From the outset, the German project fostered intense resentment among the Mbugu living around the estate borders. A contingent travelled to the provincial headquarters at Tangato issue formally their complaints against Eick and the District authorities in Lushoto. In 1902, Ludwig Illich took over the estate lease and expanded the livestock operation, adding the buildings in the center of the image. These included a barn, slaughterhouse, and butchery. Kwai’s violent history shapes current perceptions of it. Of course, the Mbugu people who created the valuable landscape mourned its loss. Kwai’s legacy of violence included public beatings, forced labor, police shootings, house burnings, and murder.

Kwai Farm and Valley, Repeat Image, 2016

Prof. Conte could not gain access to the upper part of the hill Dobbertin did, but the repeat photo site is close. The change is dramatic. The eucalyptus lots are gone, although Prof. Conte saw some Eucalyptus a visit in 1998. The valley now is a horticultural mosaic rather than a pasture. The forest on the upper slopes above the farm is gone. Finally, people have removed the German buildings. The photo depicts a valley divided among many people though there are few houses on the old estate grounds. Above the valley floor, farmers have planted useful trees such as grevilia (lumber and firewood) and avocado (market sales). Cabbages grow well here as do other market crops like carrots and potatoes. A young pine plantation grows at Prof. Conte’s feet. A warmer climate now allows bananas to grow now at Kwai, an impossibility in the 1910s. People certainly know about Kwai’s violent past and protect themselves against the negative vibe by employing charms, which Prof. Conte found hanging from a few avocado trees.