Solomon Sebuliba: Searching for traces between maritime networks and colonial history

Solomon Sebuliba has been a guest researcher at the DSM since April 1 until the end of 2025. Over the next seven months, he will be researching the complex intertwining of maritime networks, colonial trade and restitution issues - with a particular focus on the German-East African context. His focus is on material culture and maritime infrastructure, with the aim of understanding how colonial maritime practices influenced the movement of cultural and biological artifacts and what traces these processes have left to this day.

The historian lived in Görlitz and was interested in the Sorbian dialect, then moved to Regensburg where he became fascinated by Bavarian traditions, and over time he developed an interest in German identity through visiting many cities. His move to Oldenburg brought him closer to maritime culture and employment at the Alfred Wegener Institute. He has already worked at several museums and is interested in the question of the impetus behind the founding of museums. "As the founding object of the DSM, the cog is particularly interesting for me. It is impressive how well it has been restored. There are still many unanswered questions that can be addressed to the object."

Originally born in Uganda, Solomon Sebuliba has been living and researching in Germany since 2016. He currently lives in Oldenburg.