German Orientalism (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

One of my areas of academic interest is the exchange of material artifacts between different cultures. This would include the SAS and LRDG adopting articles of Arab clothing in WWII North Africa or Colonial Rangers in the French and Indian Wars utilizing Woodland Indian clothing and equipment. This subject is part of my larger interest in Colonialism and Imperialism from the 18th C through WWII. There is an entire academic area called "Orientalism" that studies Western appropriation of motifs from the cultures of the Middle East and Asia. Here is a 1908 photograph of German Imperial Marines in China wearing local dress and photographed with Chinese children. The Germans were very interested in Asian culture in these years. Herman Hesse's novel Siddartha (1922) is one example of this interest in the East.

 

[theBaron]

Very interesting!

There was also an interest among some German archeologists and anthropologists to explore the central Asian landmass, and the Himalayas, though based on National Socialism's fuzzy interpretation of older discoveries. They thought they might find the Urheimat of the Aryan somewhere in the middle of the continent.

Prosit!
Brad

 

[Saber]

Very interesting!

There was also an interest among some German archeologists and anthropologists to explore the central Asian landmass, and the Himalayas, though based on National Socialism's fuzzy interpretation of older discoveries. They thought they might find the Urheimat of the Aryan somewhere in the middle of the continent.

Prosit!
Brad

There is a book about that, Himmler's Expedition or something like that which chronicles the Nazi fascination with finding Aryan roots in the East.

 

[Combat]

There is a book about that, Himmler's Expedition or something like that which chronicles the Nazi fascination with finding Aryan roots in the East.

I read some of it, but it was so much nonsense that it is hard to get through. Apparently Himmler took it very seriously - the possibility of proving the existence of a master race. Interestingly, Hitler found the whole thing to be absurd and a waste of time.

 

[theBaron]

Yes, Himmler was particularly keen on finding archeological roots to help prove Nazi ideology. He sponsored digs in Germany, trying to link sites to old Germanic mythology. He also fancied himself a reincarnation of the ancient Saxon Duke Henry (odd, since he was a Bavarian by birth).

One real shame of the Nazi's perversion of sciences like these is that they thoroughly discredited any knowledge in those areas that may have had some merit. As it turns out, modern Europeans probably did wander into Europe from Central Asia, after the last ice ages, in successive waves, and migrations of people from those regions to the West (and to the East) continued into our middle ages and during China's imperial period. The Huns, the Magyars, the Turks are all just the latest in a long series of migrations. But that doesn't mean any one is any kind of master race.

In any case, the Germans really do have a fascination with exotic cultures from around the world. They loved American Indians, too, still do, actually.

Prost!
Brad

 

[PolarBear]

The German author Karl May (1842-1912) was largely responsible for German fascination with American Indians. He wrote numerous novels on this topic with Winnetou being one of the best known. He also wrote novels set in the Middle East and Asia. The German toy soldier company Elastolin made figures based on his characters. May's books were popular in the Third Reich and read by Hitler. German youth were encouraged to read them for the sense of adventure expressed in the stories.
1. May in cowboy dress
2. May's novels
3. Elastolin May figures

 

[Combat]

I remember Hitler made a statement relating to the Italians along the lines that they were producing great art and buildings while his German ancestors were still living in mud huts. An interesting viewpoint from somone who based his entire ideology on the superiority of the German race. His disdain of Himmler's expeditions were along the same lines. Raises some interesting questions about whether he actually believed that the Germans were superior or simply espoused the notion because it proved to be popular among the German population. From a psychological standpoint, he may have been able to convince himself it was true because it was in his self-interest and that was good enough. Actual research, even by crackpots, was not necessary and even dangerous because he realized it might lead to some uncomfortable conclusions. Not that uncommon among politicians.

 

[theBaron]

The German author Karl May (1842-1912) was largely responsible for German fascination with American Indians. He wrote numerous novels on this topic with Winnetou being one of the best known. He also wrote novels set in the Middle East and Asia. The German toy soldier company Elastolin made figures based on his characters. May's books were popular in the Third Reich and read by Hitler. German youth were encouraged to read them for the sense of adventure expressed in the stories.
1. May in cowboy dress
2. May's novels
3. Elastolin May figures

Yes, but I would say that that is another example of the Nazis perverting something existing. May's novels were popular in Germany as soon as they were published. The Kaiser himself was a big fan of the American West, too. He was a contemporary of some of its leading stars.

But I guess the adventure and appeal of the faraway locales appeals to many of us, too.

Prost!
Brad

 

[PolarBear]

Brad

You are right that there was a perversion of May's books by the Nazis. There were many things in them that were counter to the Nazi ideology. Here is May in Middle Eastern (Orientalist attire) and as a European: