An Archaeology Of African And German Interactions At Adaklu-Waya, Volta Region

ABSTRACT

The nineteenth century saw the scramble for territories in Africa by European powers. Germany a

front-runner in this agendum employed several means in asserting their ideologies on the

colonized. The joint activity of missionaries, administrators and merchants ensured that the

colonized adopted German ideologies. One of the main reasons for the colonization of territories

was economical, however; missionization was used as an overture to change the world views of

the colonized. This was done to make it easy for the implementation of their plans. The Germans

in their attempt to colonize territories were met with opposition at some places (e.g. Kete Krachi)

and welcomed by others (e.g. Adaklu-Waya and Amedzofe). Missionization was an important

factor in the German colonization process. The subject of German colonialism and missionary

activities has been studied extensively historically and now archaeologically.

This study investigated the German (Bremen) and African interactions at Adaklu-Waya. The

research elucidates the interactions between the German missionaries and the Adaklu-Waya

community. Ethnographic and material data gathered were reconciled with the documented

accounts. Also, the study reveals the elements that influenced the interaction between the period

1855 and 1914 when the Germans left the country. Both the emic and etic perspectives were

considered to help understand what transpired between the locals and the missionaries.

Oral and documentary accounts, as well as the archaeological data, proved beyond doubt that there

was contact with Germans at Adaklu-Waya. There was contact with other European countries such

as England, France, and the Czekoslovakia. Significant changes were experienced as a result of the

contact with Germans, however, this contact did not lead to a complete change in the existing ways

of life of the people.