Gerhard Liesegang, the historian of Ngungunyane, has died in Maputo

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Gerhard Liesegang, the historian of Ngungunyane, has died in Maputo

5:24 CAT | 19 May 2021

File photo: Telcínia dos Santos) / Conexão Lusófona

Professor Gerhard Liesengang, a staunch investigator of Mozambican historiography, died yesterday in Maputo.

One of Gerhard Liesegang’s greatest contributions was his participation in the work “História de Moçambique”, an essential book for the understanding of the socio-political and economic dynamics of Mozambique in the colonial and post-colonial periods.

His passion was studying the social and economic history of southern Mozambique, between the 18th and 20th centuries, and the empire of Gaza.

Two of his essential works are:

LIESEGANG, Gerhard, Vassalage or Friendship Agreement. History of the Ngungunyane Vassalage Act, A.H.M, Maputo, 1996.

LIESEGANG, Gerhard, Ngungunyane: The figure of Ngungunyane Nqumayo, King of Gaza (1884-1895) and the Disappearance of his State, 124 pp., Illus., Paperback, Embondeiro Collection No. 8, Maputo, 1996.

In an email sent to Carta de Moçambqiue commenting on the loss, historian Eduardo Medeiros writes: “Liesegang was a notable researcher in Mozambican history. A teacher always ready to teach and help his students. An affectionate, affable and unassuming man and without pretensions or wars for academic position.”

Gerhard Julius Liesegang was born on October 2, 1940 in Germany. From 1959 to 1966, he completed his university studies at universities in Cologne, Berlin and London, pursuing his doctorate at the University of Cologne.

From 1964 to 1966, he carried out archival work in London and Lisbon, which brought him to Mozambique from 1969 to 1971.

He became a professor of African and Mozambican history at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) in Mozambique in 1977.

From 1980 to 1986 he was a researcher at the Historical Archive of Mozambique, especially in Gaza, Inhambane, Niassa, Nampula.

He was Assistant Director of Research and Extension and an assistant professor at UEM, where he was also deputy dean.