When I think about refugees nowadays my thoughts go to Somalia, Iraq, Burmese in Thailand, Polish centres for Chechens... Imagine how shocked I was when I dicovered a big Polish cementery of refugees in Tanzania. Of course I was aware that many Poles where sent to Siberia to the work camps... Then they settle down in Great Britain or Australia. I have even friends with this kind of family story. Yes... Australia, England... But our "poor" Africa... was it a "safe" place for "our refugees' camps"... The history has turned it page back. In 40's the British government built many refugee's camps for around 20 thousand Poles in British colonies in Africa. Today cemeteries reminds that our ancestors where refugees as well.
This is the story which goes back to II WW. UN was created that time to protect Human Rights. On Sunday, 20th of June there was the World Refugee Day.
Let's remember about it everyday. Still so many people live in the exile.
Cemetery of Polish refugees in the shadow of magnolia trees
Tengeru, Tanzania - a small cemetery is overlooking at the second highest mountain in Tanzania, Mount Meru (4,570 m). It is surrounded by high, grey wall. There is the white-red inscription on the gate and the signboard. You can read "Cemetery of Polish War Refugees 1942-1952". Among148 graves, most are Roman Catholic. There is also some Orthodox and Jewish. When you enter the gate high magnolia trees welcome you.
Welcome to the largest Polish cemetery in Africa.
Photo: Iwona Frydryszak, barents.pl
I visited the cemetery on 1st of November. It is a special day so on each of the tombstones there is a rose. It is the All Saints Day - very important day in Catholic Church tradition. Edward Wojtowicz has taken care of the cemetery for yeares. He is barely leaning over and putting a bunch of flowers on the grave of Sabina Szeliga. Thanks to him this trace of Polishness in Africa is so well preserved. Privately, they both had a sense of duty. At this cemetery their parents are burnt. Edward Wojtowicz went to Tanzania following his mother, Sabina Szeliga arrived here as a teenager and stayed till the end.
Photo: Iwona Frydryszak, barents.pl
For many years there was no interested from Polish government side to look after the cementery. That's way the only one who really care was Mr Edward and Mrs Sabina. "Before 89 in Poland there was a time of socialisms. People from Embassy just came to visit Tengeru few times. They didn't want people to be aware of general Anders Army. In school they tough kids that he was a trader. Noone wanted to speak about Polish War refugees" - Wojtowicz says.
Shortly after the attack on the Soviet Union by Germany on 22 June 1941, Anders was asked by the Soviets to form a Polish Army to fight alongside the Red Army. Continued friction with the Soviets over political issues as well as shortages of weapons, food and clothing, led to the eventual exodus of Anders' men – known as the Anders Army – together with a sizeable contingent of Polish civilians via the Persian Corridor into Iran, Iraq and Palestine.
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During 1939 to 1941 the Soviets deported 1,200,000 Poles to the Soviet Union for forced labor or resettlement, of which perhaps 146,000 died. The amnesty for the Polish people in Soviet Union came about as a consequence of an agreement between Stalin, Churchill, Anthony Eden and the Polish government in exile in London. This agreement was signed on July 30 1941 and enabled all Polish people to be freed for the purpose of forming an Army and help Stalin fight Hitler. These included 200,828 ethnic Poles, 90,662 Jews, 31,392 Ukrainians, 27,418 Belorussians, 3,421 Russians, and 2,291 persons of other nationalities. The far-flung Polish exiles began to make their way as best they could southward, to where Anders' army was forming, in the hope of liberation. These journeys, often several weeks long, brought new suffering and tens of thousands died from hunger, cold, heat, disease and exhaustion on that trip to freedom. The first stop of the refugees evacuated with Anders' army was Iran, where they found temporary quarters in large transit camps initially located in Pahlavi and Mashhad, and later in Tehran and Ahvaz. By the end of 1945, another 4,300 were evacuated to Lebanon. In Palestine, the camps for the over 5,000 refugees transferred there were located in Nazareth, Rehovot, Ain-Karem,and Barbara. Sources: http://www.dpcamps.org/poland.htm |
In the 40's 20 thousand Poles reached the British colonies in Africa . Most of them were women, children and men unfit for military service. In total twenty two Polish settlements were established, most of them consisted several thousand residents and had their own schools, hospitals, churches and cemeteries.
Fifteen years old Sabina Szeliga ended up in Tengeru, a camp for five thousand refugees. "There was a very large farms. They had everything there, "- says Wojtowicz. Later British turned the farm into an agricultural school. Szeliga has retained his position. Then Edward Wojtowicz came from England to live with his mother and was hired in Tengeru as a technical administrator of the infrastructure facility.
Photo: Iwona Frydryszak, barents.pl
On the 1st of November there was a modest mass held, organized by the Franciscans. In the shade of tall magnolias few people gathered to memorize the Polish refugees. Shadow is a relief in the tropics. Only Wojtowicz shakes his head anxiously.
"They plant these magnolias, because they thought that they will grow a small bushes. And look how it looks now. It's without any logic. It's impossible to even break them out. Its roots grow into the graves "- complained Wojtowicz.
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Africa provided another safe harbor for the Poles. In mid-1944, East Africa hosted over 13,000 Polish citizens. They settled in transit and permanent camps in the British colonies of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanganyika. In Uganda, the camps were located in Masindi and Koya on Lake Victoria. In Kenya, they were located in Rongai, Manira, Makindu, Nairobi, and Nyali near Mombasa. In Tanganyika, the largest settlement was Tengeru (4,000 refugees) and smaller camps were located in Kigoma, Kidugala, Ifunda, Kondoa, and Morogoro. South Africa, South Rhodesia, and North Rhodesia also became the home of Poles. The largest of these settlements were: in the Union of South Africa Oudtshoorn; in North Rhodesia Abercorn, Bwana M'Kubwa, Fort Jameson, Livingstone, and Lusaka; in South Rhodesia Digglefold, Marandellas, Rusape, and Gatooma. In Africa, Polish schools, churches, hospitals, civic centers, and manufacturing and service cooperatives were founded and Polish culture prospered. African radio stations ran programs in the Polish language and there waseven a Polish press. In South Africa alone there were 18 Polish schools with about 1,800 students in attendance. |
It’s never a one-way street. Traffic goes both ways, and it’s important that more people understand this. It’s not about “us” and “them”, it’s about people in need and people who can help.
this world is indeed interconnected
It’m amazing to realize it. And your right Giedre. The situation with Polish refugges that we are all conneted and that we are just all people.
Incredible! I had no idea of that.
Yeah, you’re all right. Everything is interconnected, like a web.
Interesting. It’s a great example that people move in differnt direction at different times
this is truly extraordinary. I had absolutely no knowledge of this!
This is amazing, my own grandmother was in the refugee camp there. I’m a Canadian filmmaker and development worker who will be in Warsaw for research in November, and Tanzania in December. If you are still in Warsaw, I’d like to hear more about your travels to Africa.
Hi Jonathan.
I would love to meet you as well as I did some projects on Polish refugees in Tanzania as well.
I am now in Tanzania (till 3rd December) and then in Warsaw.
Is it possible for the three of us to meet?
Wow, that’s great, Helena. I don’t know that I’ll be in Tanzania before mid-December, but we’ll see what we can do - maybe I’ll change my travel plans. I’d love to hear more about your projects, and have somebody to visit in Tanzania. You can look me up on Facebook, or email me at jondurandxgmailxcom.
Hi you guys (Helena, what an awesome post!)
I am a Canadian soldier currently serving in Afghanistan, but I was born in Poland. I was planning on going to Tanzania during my 2 week leave from Afghanistan in February, in order to do some humanitarian work and volunteer at an orphanage for kids living with AIDS. After seeing this post, I will try to visit the cemetary if I can. My grandfather was in the Polish army at the beginning of WWII and escaped Russian captivity only to end up in the DACHAU concentration camp, but he survived the war.
I will be in the area of Dar Salem. Do any of you have any contacts within a Polish community in the area? If so, would you be able to put me in touch with anyone?
kind regards
Bernie
Hi Bernard,
Lovely to meet you and thanks for appreciating my post (which?
.
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Would be great to meet you in Dar, where I am staying at the moment (and most probably will be staying also in February, except the first half when I am in Kenya as 15 other winners from this platform
There are a few cemetaries (about three in the South of Tanzania and some in the North as well).
Our Polish community in Dar is quite strong and you are mostly welcome to meet us. Feel free to contact me@ .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
All the best and take care in Afghanistan.
Cheers,
Helena
It’s amazing that this topic makes people so active in commenting and use it as a source of information. Helena, check the comments in the Polish version of it: http://tanzaniaart.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/oboz-wygnancow-polskich-w-tanzanii/
Wow! It’s amazing indeed!
This platform brings people together definitely, my dear flatmate!
It also shows that there is a lot of need for bringing people related to this topic together - it seems they need a platform to be able to exchange their experience.
Maybe a Facebook page? Any other idea?
Greetings from Amsterdam
My mum was a refugee and was sent to Tengeru by ship. She was an orphan and lived in a polish orphanage in Tengeru, then lived in Kenya for many years and now lives in England
My polish paternal grandmother died whilst in a refugee camp in Rhodesia in I think Tengeru. Her name was Aniela Kuriata. I would dearly like to know if she is buried in this cemetary.
Basia
Dear @Basia, I am based in Tanzania at the moment and I know people who may help you in finding her grave/sending you the picture of the grave. Please, contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Dear @all, I have an impression a Facebook group is an urgent necessity!
Thank you so much Helena for your post. I have sent you a private e-mail to your address. Forgot to mention that I have found a site (http://polskiecmentarzewafryce.eu/home) which lists three Polish cemetaries in Africa but I cannot find Babcia in any of them. Will look forward to h earing from you.
Basia
The camp my grandmother (Aniela Kuriata) died at in Africa was called Bwana M Kubwa which I believe is now in Zambia. Sorry for the error.
Basia
My mom was in Russia, she ended up in Tehran with her sister. She had two very sick sisters, Zozia and Janina Kotula, they were so sick they had to remain in Russia Is there anyway my mom can find out if her sisters are buried in the Polish cemetary or did they die in Russia. The reason for this email is that mom saw a picture of a girl from a orphanage in Africa that may possibly be her sister.
Any info you have will be appreciated.
Thank You
Basia
Hi Basia
I came across your post while looking for information about Polish refugees evacuated to Africa from Iran.
I cannot find any evidence for your aunts, Zofia and Janina, being sent to Africa. There is a Red Cross list of Polish Refugees sent to Africa and beyond:
http://kresy-siberia.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6223
It is not complete. I am looking for a neighbour of my father’s, Antonina Szulc. I know she was sent to Africa (Morogoro and Rongai) but she is not on this list.
Some web pages with lists of Poles buried in African cemeteries include:
http://kresy-siberia.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=4325
for people buried at Arusha, Tengeru and
http://polskiecmentarzewafryce.eu/home
which links to the names of people buried at Tengeru, Masindi and Koja (the links are on the right hand side of the page)
If you think your aunts may be buried in Iran, the Polish Embassy in Teheran has grave lists of cemeteries in Teheran, Ahwaz, Isfahan, Mashhad and Bandar Anzali (Pahlavi). Send an email to the Consul, Mr Piotr Baklazec at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Szulc family were deported to a place called Rieczuszka near the town of Czerewkowo in the Archangielsk region of the USSR. There was a Kotula family (Jozef and Wiktoria and their five children) deported to the same place.
Halina
My Aunts were sent to Tanganyika after the diaspora from Archangelsk. Their Uncles, One a doctor to Stalin, Polhawskie, and two others, his brothers, perished at Katyn.
Many of the family perished in Archangelsk. They originated in Korsun / Drohecyn area in current Belarus.
My Grandmother, Maria Polhawska / Nowak was buried somewhere off of the Siberian Tashkent rail line by her 10 year old daughter, Zofia.
My Father and Grandfather fought in N.Africa, Italy, Monte Casino, Anzio, etc. 8th A, 2n Corp, and 2nd Kresowa.
My Grandfather went to back to Africa to get his daughters, Zofia and Barbara, out of the refugee camp in 1946.
My Father and his siblings are still alive.
My grandmother (Aniela Kuriata (Lech) was buried in Rhodesia (now part of Zambia) and I am trying to locate the cemetary and her grave. Any ideas how I can go about this? Thank you.
Basia
My Father, Uncle and Grandmother spent six years in the Masindi refugee camp, between 1942-48. They then migrated to England and my family came to Australia in 1973. My father remembers his time there very fondly and we grew up hearing many happy stories of his time in Africa. Obviously, it was no easy life though.
I find all this fascinating and am donating proceeds of a book I’m in the process of publishing “Hands Clasoed Firmly Together” to a mission in Uganda, in honour of dad. It is nice to see so many following generations are so interested in what our ancestors went through.
I would dearly love to buy a copy of your book when available. Both my parents remember their time in Africa fondly adn had lots of stories to tell.
BJ
Thank you Basia. I have just approved the final draft of the book so it shouldn’t take very long till it is out. I should clarify, it is not a book about Dad’s time in Uganda but rather a collection of just over 200 short Christian write ups. It does some times draw on Dad’s experiences as a refugee. I didn’t notice the typo in my last post, it is called Hands Clasped Firmly Together. some of my writing is posted on a website which you could access if you would like to see a few of them. the address is http://www.heavenlypartakers.org The book does have photos of my father’s family before, during and after the war, both in Poland and Uganda. it also has their names on an official document listing them as evacuees and a family photo of the church in Masindi. it makes me emotional that i can honour Dad this way and i love the fact that God has used the pain and suffering our families lived through, to be able to help the people in Uganda so many decades later. I am planning on collating a second book to raise funds for another orphanage in Uganda as well. I’m really hoping to be able to get there while my father is still here so that i can share what it is like now with him.
Please let me know where I can buy a cop[y of your book when it is available.
BJ
Thank you for your interest in my book Basia, it warms my heart that you are interestedin following it up. You are welcome to contact me on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Also if you like I could add you to the mailing address and I could send you a new write up each week as well as the previously posted write ups.
After much searching, I was finally able to find out that my mother (Krystyna Rhode; nee Wlodarczyk) and my grandmother (Franciszka Wlodarczyk) left a camp in East Africa on the ship Carnarvon Castle. They landed in Southampton on May 4, 1948, on my Mamusi 19th birthday. What I am still trying to find out, is the name of the camp where they spent the war, since I have an aunt who died there. I would like to make a trip to that part of the world, and visit the cemetery and pay my respects. Mamusia spoke of Masindi, Norogoro, as well as some excursions to Mount Kilaminjaro. If anyone would have information that would help to narrow my search, that would be most appreciated.
Eva
Your mother Krystyna, aunt Jadwiga and grandmother Franciszka were all sent to Ifunda (south of the city of Iringa in Tanzania)
http://kresy-siberia.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6274
Your aunt died on 24.11.1943 and is buried there:
http://polskiecmentarzewafryce.eu/cmentarz/6#330
Ifunda held about 800 Polish refugees. It had no middle school so students went to school in other settlements and came back to Ifunda in the school holidays. The older girls went to high school in Tengeru.
Could you please ask your mother if she remembers a Polish orphan called Antonina (Tosia) Szulc? Tosia was also born in 1929. She came to Tengeru from Rongai in Kenya in 1946 and left Tengeru in 1947/48 to work for local farmers.
Halina
Dear Eva,
According to the map and my memory, this is a photo of your aunt’s grave:
https://picasaweb.google.com/100904716130893804332/GrobySybirakowWTanzanii?authkey=Gv1sRgCNf6-LjLieakGQ#5418523351375388690
I took it when we were collecting the information about the graves in 2009. The photos on the
http://polskiecmentarzewafryce.eu/cmentarz/6#330
were taken in 2010 by a Polish volunteer, Tomasz Kaczmarek.
I am still in Tanzania.
Helena
Do you have any suggestions as to where I should turn in order to find out what happened to Antonina (Tosia) Szulc, a Polish orphan sent to Africa in 1943? Her younger brother Kazimierz was separated from his sister when he was hospitalised in Teheran in 1942. He was then sent to Mexico while Tosia was evacuated to Morogoro and then in 1945 to Rongai Kenya. He has not had any contact with her since then. I know that when Rongai was closed by the International Refugee Organisation in 1946 Tosia was sent to Tengeru. Presumably thinking that she had no family left alive (her parents and two sisters died in Kazakhstan and two brothers in Uzbekistan) she chose to stay in Africa and found work with local farmers. After 1947 all trace of her seems to been lost.
Halina
My mother, Krystyna passed away in 1991. She seldom spoke of her time in Africa, although I had as a child seen a photo album with pictures of my aunt laid out before her burial.
Thank you for the information…later on Saturday, I too came across the cemetery in Ifunda, and my aunt’s final resting place. I was saddened that this cemetery is in such disrepair, and so overgrown. As a result I am hoping to make a trip to Africa from Canada, within the next two years.
Any additional information about how I can visit the cemetery, as well as what might remain of the camp, would be beneficial in making my plans.
It is amazing just how much we all share our history in a way. The world is indeed round. Thanks to all you folks for sharing this great history.
Thank you Robert for your kind words. Both my parents loved their time in Africa. My father was devastated to have to leave. He was working for Simba Corporatation (at least the Simba part is right as I have a letter written to my father by the then owner)and did not want to go to Australia. His father gave him no option and so here am I living in Austlia. Some things were just meant to be.
Basia, This is your cousin from San Diego. I was researching the name Kuriata and low and behold I found you!!! Please email me!
I’m so excited, I forgot to give you my email address. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I’ve been looking for you a long time!
Dear Barbara,
Great to know your parents loved Africa very much. Sorry you father had to leave and you ended up in Australia.You should get time some day and visit Africa. It is a lovely place with most of Africa having great weather with no extremes like Europe and other parts of the world.
I am from Uganda, Winston Churchill named it the Pearl of Africa-so remember to visit us some day. It is ever green most of the year!
My grandmother (Petronela Kaczalska), my mom (Janina), her sisters (Leokadia Kwiatkowski) & (Kazmiera Bajorski)talked about traveling from Siberia, to Iran, to Tanzania, to England and finally the US; New Britain, CT. Only Kazmiera (Bajorski) is alive. I have photos of mom in a classroom in Tanzania. Like Eva, they did not provide many details of the journey. Pertonela’s husband (Jan) died on the way to Siberia, no one remembered where he was buried along the way.
After almost a year I have come back to this site and discovered an insert from my cousin. I do hope she gets in touch. I am very gratefully to this forum.
BJ