Resilience in Place Names: German-Hehe War Memories and Cultural Identity in Iringa Toponyms

Toponyms, or place names, act as vital markers of historical memory, cultural identity and resilience. In Iringa, Tanzania, toponymy offers valuable insights into the enduring impacts associated with the German-Hehe War (1890–1898), and colonial encounters on indigenous communities. This study explores how place names—such as Kitanzini (‘a place with a noose for hanging people’), Ilundamatwe or Lundamatwe (‘a collection of slaughtered heads’), and Gangilonga (‘the speaking stone’)—convey narratives of Hehe war superiority, resistance, and survival. Using a qualitative approach, the research incorporates archival sources, oral histories, and linguistic analysis to investigate the stories behind naming and renaming, the role of toponyms in maintaining historical awareness, and the function of narratives associated with these names as cultural markers. The findings demonstrate that, despite colonial efforts to erase indigenous identities, the Hehe people preserved their history and cultural heritage through resilient place-naming practices. The study emphasises the broader importance of toponymy in shaping post-colonial identity, and advocates for further research on naming practices in regions affected by colonialism to enhance the preservation of records relating to indigenous memory and heritage.