Jonas Bens
@jonasbens.bsky.social
anthropologist @uni-hamburg.de | #law #politics #colonialism #capitalism | recent books: The Sentimental Court (Cambridge University Press, 2022) | The Indigenous Paradox (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2020)
I have published a new article in the new issue of Oñati Socio-Legal Series: Capitalist Property as Epistemic Violence: Ethnographic Museums, Colonial Restitution and the Cosmopolitical Challenge. The article is available open access here: opo.iisj.net/index.p...
October 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I have published a new article in the new issue of Oñati Socio-Legal Series: Capitalist Property as Epistemic Violence: Ethnographic Museums, Colonial Restitution and the Cosmopolitical Challenge. The article is available open access here: opo.iisj.net/index.p...
On Sept 20, our Hamburg anthropology team visited the Slavery Museum in Zanzibar Old Town. The site explores the history of enslavement and the Indian Ocean slave trade. The visit is part of our preparation for extended research on materialities, colonialism & enslavement. Photos: Arjunraj
September 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
On Sept 20, our Hamburg anthropology team visited the Slavery Museum in Zanzibar Old Town. The site explores the history of enslavement and the Indian Ocean slave trade. The visit is part of our preparation for extended research on materialities, colonialism & enslavement. Photos: Arjunraj
On Sept 19, our colleague Arjunraj (Anthropology, Hamburg) hosted a collaborative storytelling workshop at Ajabu Ajabu screen collective in Dar es Salaam. The workshop explores practices of storytelling beyond boundaries. Photos: Habib
September 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
On Sept 19, our colleague Arjunraj (Anthropology, Hamburg) hosted a collaborative storytelling workshop at Ajabu Ajabu screen collective in Dar es Salaam. The workshop explores practices of storytelling beyond boundaries. Photos: Habib
On Sept 18, our Hamburg anthropology team hosted a panel on collaborative museum restitution at Ajabu Ajabu in Dar es Salaam. We discussed decolonizing art & academia with artists and activists, and shared visuals from our 7-year collaboration with Maasai communities. Photos: Arjunraj, Leonie Benker
September 27, 2025 at 7:58 AM
On Sept 18, our Hamburg anthropology team hosted a panel on collaborative museum restitution at Ajabu Ajabu in Dar es Salaam. We discussed decolonizing art & academia with artists and activists, and shared visuals from our 7-year collaboration with Maasai communities. Photos: Arjunraj, Leonie Benker
On Sept 16 we visited the University of Dodoma in Tanzania during our research trip. Our colleague Laibor Kalanga Moko, is both at Hamburg Anthro Dept. and is a Lecturer in Dodoma. UDOM is both an inspiring place of scholarship and has a most beautiful campus. Photos: Arjunraj
September 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM
On Sept 16 we visited the University of Dodoma in Tanzania during our research trip. Our colleague Laibor Kalanga Moko, is both at Hamburg Anthro Dept. and is a Lecturer in Dodoma. UDOM is both an inspiring place of scholarship and has a most beautiful campus. Photos: Arjunraj
Im Gespräch mit @DLF Kultur habe ich die geplante Streichung der Professur für Kunst Afrikas an der FU Berlin kritisiert. Das wäre nicht nur ein Rückschritt für die Stärkung postkolonialer Perspektiven, sondern auch ein fatales politisches Signal im aktuellen Rechtsruck: www.deutschlandfunkk...
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Im Gespräch mit @DLF Kultur habe ich die geplante Streichung der Professur für Kunst Afrikas an der FU Berlin kritisiert. Das wäre nicht nur ein Rückschritt für die Stärkung postkolonialer Perspektiven, sondern auch ein fatales politisches Signal im aktuellen Rechtsruck: www.deutschlandfunkk...
On Sept 12, our Hamburg anthropology team visited Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important sites for human history. Here, remains over 2 million years old were found — a powerful reminder that all humans have more in common than we often think. Photos: Arjunraj
September 21, 2025 at 5:54 AM
On Sept 12, our Hamburg anthropology team visited Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important sites for human history. Here, remains over 2 million years old were found — a powerful reminder that all humans have more in common than we often think. Photos: Arjunraj
On Sept 11, our Hamburg anthro team held a second workshop in Oltukai, Monduli. We discussed colonialism, restitution & Maasai belongings in German museums. Our interlocutors stressed to prioritize Maasai cosmologies regarding their belongings. Photos: Arjunraj, Soipey Parkipuny
September 19, 2025 at 11:55 AM
On Sept 11, our Hamburg anthro team held a second workshop in Oltukai, Monduli. We discussed colonialism, restitution & Maasai belongings in German museums. Our interlocutors stressed to prioritize Maasai cosmologies regarding their belongings. Photos: Arjunraj, Soipey Parkipuny
On Sept 9–10, our Hamburg anthro team visited En’donyo Olmorwak (Elders’ Hill) in northern Tanzania. Every ~15 years the olng’eherr ritual is held here, when Ilmuran become elders. The site is now encroached by a military base and houses. Photos: Arjunraj, Michael Olekooni Laizer
September 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
On Sept 9–10, our Hamburg anthro team visited En’donyo Olmorwak (Elders’ Hill) in northern Tanzania. Every ~15 years the olng’eherr ritual is held here, when Ilmuran become elders. The site is now encroached by a military base and houses. Photos: Arjunraj, Michael Olekooni Laizer
On Sept 9–10, Laibor Kalanga Moko, Arjunraj, Bille Sachers, Leonie Benker & I held a workshop with Maasai Trad. Leaders in Boma Ng’Ombe, Tanzania on colonialism, museums & restitution, in our collaborative project Contested Property (co-led with Paola Ivanov). Photos: Arjunraj
September 16, 2025 at 4:41 AM
On Sept 9–10, Laibor Kalanga Moko, Arjunraj, Bille Sachers, Leonie Benker & I held a workshop with Maasai Trad. Leaders in Boma Ng’Ombe, Tanzania on colonialism, museums & restitution, in our collaborative project Contested Property (co-led with Paola Ivanov). Photos: Arjunraj
Really looking forward to the start of our fourth workshop in the DFG-funded research network "Pluralizing the Value of Things", this time at the University of Cambridge, with a special focus on Oceania.
A highlight will be Nicholas Thomas’ keynote on Tuesday at 4pm in the McDonald Seminar Room.
A highlight will be Nicholas Thomas’ keynote on Tuesday at 4pm in the McDonald Seminar Room.
June 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Really looking forward to the start of our fourth workshop in the DFG-funded research network "Pluralizing the Value of Things", this time at the University of Cambridge, with a special focus on Oceania.
A highlight will be Nicholas Thomas’ keynote on Tuesday at 4pm in the McDonald Seminar Room.
A highlight will be Nicholas Thomas’ keynote on Tuesday at 4pm in the McDonald Seminar Room.
Makieu Daniels, Absolventin unseres M.A. Ethnologie, hat im Kolloquium spannende Einblicke in ihre Arbeit bei der EAF Berlin gegeben. Sie hat gezeigt, wie Diversity Management in der Beratungspraxis funktioniert – und wie ethnologisches Wissen Organisationen verändern kann.
June 10, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Makieu Daniels, Absolventin unseres M.A. Ethnologie, hat im Kolloquium spannende Einblicke in ihre Arbeit bei der EAF Berlin gegeben. Sie hat gezeigt, wie Diversity Management in der Beratungspraxis funktioniert – und wie ethnologisches Wissen Organisationen verändern kann.
📣 Tutor*innen gesucht! Für „Einführung in die Ethnologie“ (WiSe 25/26, Uni Hamburg). 💼 2 SWS, 315,48€/Monat. 🎓 Für BA/MA Ethno ab 3. Sem. 📅 Bewerbt euch bis 30.06. mit CV & Kursliste an [email protected]
June 6, 2025 at 12:22 PM
📣 Tutor*innen gesucht! Für „Einführung in die Ethnologie“ (WiSe 25/26, Uni Hamburg). 💼 2 SWS, 315,48€/Monat. 🎓 Für BA/MA Ethno ab 3. Sem. 📅 Bewerbt euch bis 30.06. mit CV & Kursliste an [email protected]
📢 Hiring 1 TextTutor for my seminar "Anthropology of Slavery" (WiSe 25/26, Uni Hamburg)!
💬 Support peers w/ writing
🧠 Training by HuL-Schreibzentrum
💼 Great teaching opp.
📅 Apply by June 13
📨 CV + course list → [email protected]
BA/MA Anthro (3rd sem+), paid Aug–Jan
💬 Support peers w/ writing
🧠 Training by HuL-Schreibzentrum
💼 Great teaching opp.
📅 Apply by June 13
📨 CV + course list → [email protected]
BA/MA Anthro (3rd sem+), paid Aug–Jan
June 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
📢 Hiring 1 TextTutor for my seminar "Anthropology of Slavery" (WiSe 25/26, Uni Hamburg)!
💬 Support peers w/ writing
🧠 Training by HuL-Schreibzentrum
💼 Great teaching opp.
📅 Apply by June 13
📨 CV + course list → [email protected]
BA/MA Anthro (3rd sem+), paid Aug–Jan
💬 Support peers w/ writing
🧠 Training by HuL-Schreibzentrum
💼 Great teaching opp.
📅 Apply by June 13
📨 CV + course list → [email protected]
BA/MA Anthro (3rd sem+), paid Aug–Jan
Wunderschöner Beitrag von Johann Olenitsch gestern in unserer Reihe „Bewegte Bilder“ im Ethnologischen Kolloquium an der Uni Hamburg: der kurze Dokumentarfilm „Nocturne STERN Op. 283“. Super spannendes Material und eine inspirierende Diskussion!
January 22, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Wunderschöner Beitrag von Johann Olenitsch gestern in unserer Reihe „Bewegte Bilder“ im Ethnologischen Kolloquium an der Uni Hamburg: der kurze Dokumentarfilm „Nocturne STERN Op. 283“. Super spannendes Material und eine inspirierende Diskussion!
Die Literatur in meinem Seminar „Anthropologie des Staates“ dieses Semester an der Uni Hamburg. (Weiterführende Literatur im zweiten Bild). Heute ist die vorletzte Sitzung mit einer ganz wundervollen Gruppe schlauer Studierender! @uni-hamburg.de
January 20, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Die Literatur in meinem Seminar „Anthropologie des Staates“ dieses Semester an der Uni Hamburg. (Weiterführende Literatur im zweiten Bild). Heute ist die vorletzte Sitzung mit einer ganz wundervollen Gruppe schlauer Studierender! @uni-hamburg.de
The readings for my seminar "Colonialism and Politics in the Americas" this semester at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Hamburg.
January 16, 2025 at 1:38 PM
The readings for my seminar "Colonialism and Politics in the Americas" this semester at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Hamburg.
Check out my new article „Revisiting Forum Shopping: Navigating Normative Orders, Navigating Sentiments“ in Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis - in an issue honoring the work of my friend and colleague, the late Keebet von Benda-Backmann: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
December 11, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Check out my new article „Revisiting Forum Shopping: Navigating Normative Orders, Navigating Sentiments“ in Legal Pluralism and Critical Social Analysis - in an issue honoring the work of my friend and colleague, the late Keebet von Benda-Backmann: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Consider submitting a paper for the workshop "Politics as Affective Encounters" at the next DGSKA conference by Leonie Benker and me. We investigate recent trends towards materiality and affect in political anthropology. Deadline: January 15, 2025. nomadit.co.uk/conference/d...
December 9, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Consider submitting a paper for the workshop "Politics as Affective Encounters" at the next DGSKA conference by Leonie Benker and me. We investigate recent trends towards materiality and affect in political anthropology. Deadline: January 15, 2025. nomadit.co.uk/conference/d...
Wonderful screening of „Ash Wednesday“ last Tuesday in our weekly Anthropology Colloquium @uni-hamburg.de discussing with the two filmmakers Barbara Santos and João Pedro Prado about how to represent state and police violence in Brazilian favelas in artistic form: www.imdb.com/title/tt2365...
December 7, 2024 at 3:17 PM
Wonderful screening of „Ash Wednesday“ last Tuesday in our weekly Anthropology Colloquium @uni-hamburg.de discussing with the two filmmakers Barbara Santos and João Pedro Prado about how to represent state and police violence in Brazilian favelas in artistic form: www.imdb.com/title/tt2365...
From June, 3-5, 2024, we had our 2nd workshop of our @dfgpublic.bsky.social "Pluralizing the Value of Things" @uni-hamburg.de at Ethnologisches Museum and Humboldt Forum in Berlin and a keynote by Stephen Hugh-Jones on Amazonian value(s) and valuables: www.ethnologie.uni-hamburg.de/en/forschung...
September 10, 2024 at 12:26 PM
From June, 3-5, 2024, we had our 2nd workshop of our @dfgpublic.bsky.social "Pluralizing the Value of Things" @uni-hamburg.de at Ethnologisches Museum and Humboldt Forum in Berlin and a keynote by Stephen Hugh-Jones on Amazonian value(s) and valuables: www.ethnologie.uni-hamburg.de/en/forschung...
Our Research Network "Pluralizing the Value of Things" holds its second workshop in Berlin on June 4. Tune in to Stephen Hugh-Jones' hybrid keynote lecture ‘Value, Valuables, and Values: Northwest Amazonian Treasures from Maloca to Museum’ www.ethnologie.uni-hamburg.de/ueber-das-in...
May 29, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Our Research Network "Pluralizing the Value of Things" holds its second workshop in Berlin on June 4. Tune in to Stephen Hugh-Jones' hybrid keynote lecture ‘Value, Valuables, and Values: Northwest Amazonian Treasures from Maloca to Museum’ www.ethnologie.uni-hamburg.de/ueber-das-in...
Looking forward to this interesting discussion of Marie Wuth's und Valentin Clavé Mercier's new edited volume "Decolonizing Political Concepts" (Routledge, 2024), together with my colleagues Abosede P. Ipadeola and Stephan Schmid. www.philosophie.uni-hamburg.de/philosophisc...
April 25, 2024 at 7:44 AM
Looking forward to this interesting discussion of Marie Wuth's und Valentin Clavé Mercier's new edited volume "Decolonizing Political Concepts" (Routledge, 2024), together with my colleagues Abosede P. Ipadeola and Stephan Schmid. www.philosophie.uni-hamburg.de/philosophisc...
Gerade eine Rezension für dieses wunderbare Buch von Henrike Kohpeiß fertiggeschrieben und an soziopolis.de abgeschickt. Ein ganz tolles Buch, das die kritische Theorie der Frankfurter Schule, die Affekttheorien und die dekoloniale und Black-Studies-Theorien zusammenbringt!
February 22, 2024 at 8:49 AM
Gerade eine Rezension für dieses wunderbare Buch von Henrike Kohpeiß fertiggeschrieben und an soziopolis.de abgeschickt. Ein ganz tolles Buch, das die kritische Theorie der Frankfurter Schule, die Affekttheorien und die dekoloniale und Black-Studies-Theorien zusammenbringt!
Check out my new chapter on affect and emotion in the upcoming "Oxford Handbook of Transitional Justice" edited by Jens Meierhenrich, @alexhinton.bsky.social and Lawrence Douglas. @uni-hamburg.de. academic.oup.com/edited-volum...
February 9, 2024 at 8:04 AM
Check out my new chapter on affect and emotion in the upcoming "Oxford Handbook of Transitional Justice" edited by Jens Meierhenrich, @alexhinton.bsky.social and Lawrence Douglas. @uni-hamburg.de. academic.oup.com/edited-volum...