The Land Remembers is a poignant artistic project that reimagines the traditional German mining hymn, “Steigerlied,” through the broader lens of the colonial and postcolonial relationship between Europe and Africa. This exploration, in the form of a reimagined song and installation, speaks to the enduring impacts of European colonialism across Africa, while retaining a focus on the specific historical ties between Germany and Namibia. At the heart of this project is the transformation of “Steigerlied”—a song that traditionally celebrates the camaraderie and labour of German miners and is recognized as intangible cultural heritage in the regions of Ruhr and Saar—into a reflection on the exploitation of African land and people. The reimagined song, with verses such as “The earth was stolen, with iron hand” and “The land still cries for what it lost,” delves into the violent histories of colonial rule, the scars left on the land, and the resilience of those who stood against oppression. The project begins by exploring research materials and cultural narratives to ensure that the new lyrics are grounded in history and resonate deeply with the experiences they reflect. Themes of greed, exploitation, resistance, and memory are extracted and woven into the song, which now serves as a bridge between the colonial past and the present reality. While the lyrics reflect a pan-African experience of colonialism, they are translated into Oshiwambo to evoke the relationship between Germany and Namibia. This multilingual approach honors the cultural specificity of Namibia while connecting to broader African narratives. A key component of The Land Remembers is its choral performance, bringing the reimagined song to life. The evocative lyrics are performed by an all-male Namibian choir African Vocals a cappella Band. This powerful vocal performance is recorded in a professional studio using a multichannel format, where each vocal part is captured separately to create a rich, immersive auditory experience. The layering of voices mirrors the complexity of history itself, with harmonies that echo both the pain and hope embedded in the narrative.

The final recording is installed in a multichannel sound format at the World Heritage Site Völklinger Hütte, a historic ironworks site in Germany. The choice of this installation site is symbolic, as the Völklinger Hütte relied on mining resources, including ore sourced from the south of Africa after the Second World War. Furthermore, the German Empire exploited Namibia during the colonial period in the field of mining, when diamonds and copper ores in particular were mined there. One of the reasons for the Herero uprising was the construction of a railroad line that ran through the Herero settlement and grazing area in order to develop the copper deposits in the Otavi mine. This historical connection deepens the emotional and cultural resonance of the installation, positioning it as a reflection on the extractive industries that fueled colonialism and their lingering effects on both continents. Music, as a medium, has always carried the weight of cultural memory, and this project leverages its emotional power to tell stories of exploitation, loss, and resilience. By reimagining “Steigerlied,” The Land Remembers transforms a song that once celebrated mining into a narrative of colonial violence, the plundering of African land, and the enduring strength of those who resisted. Lines such as “An uprising, a turning tide” and “The land’s true heirs stood their ground” evoke the spirit of resistance and the ongoing fight for justice. The installation invites visitors to reflect on the enduring scars left by colonialism, as conveyed through lyrics such as “The past still lingers, hard to hide.”
This reimagined hymn, accompanied by the haunting voices of the choir, becomes a tool for dialogue and reflection, encouraging listeners to engage with the colonial past and its legacies in the present. By adapting a familiar song, The Land Remembers opens a space for critical reflection on Europe’s colonial past and its enduring impact on Africa. The project serves not only as an artistic reawakening but also as a powerful reminder of the land’s memory and the strength of those who continue to reclaim it.