Photography, Colonialism, and the Archive: Photographic Representation of East African Soldiers Serving in the British Army in the Second World War

Abstract

Visual culture has been shaped through the "Colonial lens", which continues to play a role in photographic practice. Historical conflict photography presents images of social upheaval and cultural interaction that demonstrate Colonialism and the Archive’s role in representing our cultural historical past. A re-reading of historical photographs through a contemporary understanding can re-address visual culture. The article focuses on the representation of British East African Soldiers in the Second World War, an underrepresented group in historical remembrance. Hundreds of thousands of Africans fought for the British in the War. Unofficial photographs taken by British Officers serving alongside Africans captured Africans’ forgotten role in the War. These photographs seen within the contemporary can initiate a discussion on the impact of the photographic past on the present. By readdressing these photographs and questioning the interactions contained within them, we can start to decolonise the photographic lens.