HvW1889c3

Public hanging of Bushiri bin Salem al Harthi by the Germans in December 16 1889
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Public hanging of Bushiri bin Salem al Harthi East Africa

Public hanging of Bushiri bin Salem al Harthi by the Germans in December 16 1889. Bushiri´s remaining fighters joined Bwana Heri , who was attacked two more times by the German army.

After pressure by The Sultan of Zanzibar Bwana Heri surrendered himself to the Germans ( and was not executed)

 

 

Execution Bushiri

Public hanging of Bushiri by the Germans

Background to the hanging of Bushiri. 

As mentioned before the revolt was started because the Arabs lost power and influence to the Germans and even their own Sultan in Zanzibar did not protect them against the German invaders.  At some point  Buschiri had kidnapped two Germans Meyer and Baumann and enchained / shackled them in his plantation named Mundo. A ransom of 10.000 Rupies was demanded for their release from the German company Hansing and co. Eventually they were released and taken on a boat  to Zanzibar. The kidnapping played an important role in the decision to hang Bushiri. The other leader of the revolt Bwana Heri was not executed. The Arab revolt confirmed the German government that the DOAG would not be able to run / defend the East African territory on its own.  Which effectively resulted in East Africa becoming a German Colony including protection by the German army.

Ref 3 contains a drawing based on this photo.

References:
  1. Slavernij en bevrijding in Oost-Afrika in de 19e eeuw, Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal 2003 page 123 (incl background to the events and other photo of Bushiri)
  2. HGM Tullemans Pere Etienne Baur en d Arabische opstand van 1888-1889 Promotion Thesis 1982 2 volumes University of Nijmegen Volume 1 page 67
  3. Kapitan Hirschberg, Neunzehn Monate kommandant S.M. Kreutzer Schwalbe Ost  Afrika 1895. Contains a drawing based on this photo on page 167