Research Team
Leila Koivunen, Project leader, Professor of European and World History, University of Turku, leikoi[at]utu.fi
Leila Koivunen specializes in the historical interactions and knowledge formation between Africa and Europe. Her research focuses on the history of Aawambo foster children in Finland, Namibian collections in Finnish museums and general knowledge of Owambo in Finland.
Maria A. N. Caley, University of Namibia, Museum of Namibian Fashion, mcaley[at]unam.na
Caley has a research interest in traditional clothing, African fashion, African textiles, and formations of African fashion. Her current research focused on exploring traditional children’s games through memory and archives from the Vakavango communities.
Jerkko Holmi, Doctoral researcher, Contemporary History, University of Turku, javhol[at]utu.fi
Jerkko Holmi is writing his dissertation on the justifications of Finnish foreign relations towards Southern African states in the latter part of the 1980s. In this project, he focuses on the oral histories of Finnish missionaries stationed in Namibia between the 1960s and 1980s.
Loini Iizyenda, Department of Humanities and Arts, University of Namibia, liizyenda[at]unam.na
In her research, Loini Iizyenda investigates metal ornaments, photographs displayed in Finnish museums and archives, the establishment and activities of sewing circles in Owambo mission schools as well as the introduction of the Ohema dhoontulo dress.
Ndapewoshali Ndahafa Ilunga Independent Scholar, Namibian Historian, ndapewoshalia[at]gmail.com
Ndapewoshali Ndahafa Ilunga explores beads and shells not only as functional/decorative items but also as carriers of the cultural identities of the Ovawambo. She investigates their origins, meaning and significance, how they are worn, by whom and why.
Olli Löytty, Associate Professor of Literature and Creative Writing, University of Turku, olselo[at]utu.fi
Olli Löytty has studied the representations of Namibia and Namibians in Finnish missionary literature, especially how the missionaries compared Namibia with their home country and how they interacted with the local communities. He is currently conducting research on the involvement of Finnish missionaries in the Namibian struggle for independence in 1970’s and 80’s.
Lovisa Tegelela Nampala, independent scholar, Namibian Historian, nampalategelela[at]gmail.com
Lovisa Tegelela Nampala specializes in Aawambo culture, heritage and the histories of liberation struggles and migrant labor. Her research focuses on the impact that the education and health systems of Finnish missionaries had on the Aawambo community in the 20th century. She also explores the Emil Liljeblad collection on the community.
Kleopas Kondjela Nghikefelwa, Museum curator and cultural heritage professional, kleopasn[at]gmail.com
Kleopas Nghikefelwa is a passionate admirer and scholar of Namibian arts, history and cultural heritage. He assists the research team in documenting oral history and cultural heritage in northern Namibia.
Napandulwe Shiweda, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Arts, University of Namibia, nshiweda[at]unam.na
Napandulwe Shiweda’s research interests draw on the link between gender histories and material culture, with emphasis on cultural objects that were of significance in pre-Christian rituals such as omakola (plural) or ekola (singular).
Specialist members
Anne Heimo, Professor of Folkloristics, School of History, Culture and Arts Studies, University of Turku, anheimo[at]utu.fi
Anne Heimo is specialized in oral history, memory studies and life writings. She is currently studying memories of Finns in Australia from the perspective of settler colonialism.
Johanna Skurnik, Academy Research Fellow, European and World History, University of Turku, jeskur[at]utu.fi
Johanna Skurnik specializes in the history of knowledge and science and map history. She is currently researching Finnish world geographies in the nineteenth and early twentieth century and Finnish contributions to the mapping of the global south c. 1970-2000.
Collaborating scholars
Kim Groop, Docent and University Lecturer in Church History, Åbo Akademi University
Anneli Ndapandula Haufiku, Lecturer, Department of Early Childhood, Education and Care, University of Namibia
Essi Huuhka, Doctoral researcher, European and World History, University of Turku
Ellen Ndeshi Namhila, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Finance, University of Namibia
Rachel Ndinelao Shanyanana-Amaambo, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Education (Educational Policy Studies), University of Namibia
Meameno Shiweda, Lecturer, Department of Intermediate and Vocational Education, University of Namibia
Vilho Amukwaya Shigwedha, Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia
Kristiina Teppo, Doctoral researcher, Contemporary History, University of Turku
Picture references of project team profile pictures can be attained from individuals in question.