Memorial for a hero, Ethiopia, 1928

"Bruder Bahlburg und Frau Wassmann betrachten einen Mukafatscho [...], an welchem die Siegestrophäen des Verstorbenen zur Schau gestellt sind. Dieser hat zwei Büffel getötet." ("Brother Bahlburg and Ms Wassmann look at a Muka Faachoo [...], on which the trophies of the deceased are exhibited. He had killed two buffalos.") To the right two buffalo skulls hanging from the frame of a tree amidst wood, to the left two persons on horseback. The picture was taken on the second mission caravan to Aira. -- Hermann Bahlburg sen. (1892-1962) was the leader of the Galla [Oromo] mission of the Hermannsburg mission in Ethiopia from 1927 until his internment in 1941. He was based mostly in Adis Abeba, where he promoted the founding of a German school and church. He was part of the first caravan to Aira and undertook several journeys to the newly established mission stations in Aira and Bedele. From 1941 to 1948 he was interned by the British occupying forces. Afterwards he returned to Germany, where he continued his work as missionary until he was banned by the leadership of the Hermannsburger Missionsanstalt. He was posthumously rehabilitated in 2007.