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'''Johannes Rebmann''' ([[January 16]], [[1820]], [[Gerlingen]], [[Württemberg]] - [[October 4]], [[1876]], near [[Stuttgart]])<ref name="brit">{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9062886/Johannes-Rebmann|title=Encyclopaedia Brittanica|accessmonthday=11 April|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
was a [[Germany|German]] [[missionary]] and [[explorer]] credited with feats including being the first European, along with his accomplice [[Johann Ludwig Krapf]], to enter [[Africa]] from the [[Indian Ocean]] coast. They are also credited with being the first Europeans to find [[Kilimanjaro]] and [[Mt. Kenya]]. <ref name="brit" />
Their work there is also thought to have had effects on future African expeditions by Europeans, including the exploits of [[Sir Richard Burton]], [[John Hanning Speke]], and [[David Livingstone]]. <ref name="brit" />
[[Image:Krapf.jpeg|right|thumb|200px|Krapf, the German missionary who accompanied Rebmann in Africa]]
== Early life ==
Rebmann was born the son of a [[Swabia]]n farmer and winegrower in 1820.<ref name="de0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/gerlingen.html|title= Childhood and youth|accessmonthday=2 June|accessyear=2007}}</ref> The village Rebmann lived in was very small, with only about 1500 inhabitants. <ref name="de0" /> Even at an early age, Rebmann aspired to be a "preacher and canvasser of the [[gospel]]". <ref name="de0" />
Later, when Rebmann became a young man, he chose to devote himself to being a missionary, and was trained in [[Basel]].<ref name="bio">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/r/rebmann_j.shtml|title=www.bautz.de|accessmonthday=13 April|accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="sta">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gerlingen.kdrs.de/servlet/PB/menu/1107813/index.html|title=Statd Gurlingen|accessmonthday=13 April|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Coupled with fellow missionary Johann Ludwig Krapf, Rebmann traveled to [[East Africa]] in [[1846]] by way of a ship entitled "arrow"<ref name="de0" />, where he worked in areas around [[Kenya]], as well as at various other locations. <ref name="bio">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/r/rebmann_j.shtml|title=www.bautz.de|accessmonthday=13 April|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Their work was hard, and they had much trouble convincing tribal chiefs to let them speak to the people. <ref name="de1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/missionary.html|title= Time as a Missionary|accessmonthday=2 June|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Krapf noted the "surge of Islam" that was going through Africa, and wanted to make some sort of Christian defence or resistence against its influence. <ref name="de1" /> So, as the radius of the two missionaries work expanded, planned for Christian missionary outposts in the area began to develop. <ref name="de1" />
During his time in Africa, Rebmann kept a diary which he kept from 1848 until the end of his life.<ref name="de2" /> In this diary, Rebmann writes of how his trust in his christianity has and will keep him stable in the continent of Africa, where only very few Europeans had ventured before him.<ref name="de2" /> A certain extract from the diary, which Rebmann in turn took from the bible (psalm: 51, 12) reflects Rebamnn's belief in his faith:"Restore to me joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." <ref name="de2" />
== Discovering Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya ==
[[Image:Kibo summit of Mt Kilimanjaro 001.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Kibo Summit of Kilimanjaro, the mountain that Rebmann beheld snow upon]]
In 1848, the two missionaries found Kilimanjaro.<ref name="de2">{{Cite web|
url=http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/discoverer.html
|title=Johannes Rebmann - Discoverer and explorer
|accessmonthday=June 3
|accessyear=2007}}</ref> The following year, they saw Mt. Kenya, and became the first two Europeans to see the two mountains respectively.<ref name="ntz">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ntz.info/gen/n00518.html|title=www.ntz.info|accessmonthday=11 April|accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="de2" />
On the [[16th October|16th of October]], [[1847]], the two men set out for the mountain of [[Kasigau]]. <ref name="ntz" /> With them came eight tribesmen and a local caravan leader named Bwana Kheri. <ref name="ntz" />
This expedition was designed with the goal of establishing some of the first mission posts in the region. <ref name="ntz" />
The journey was successful, and the group of tribesmen and the missionaries returned to Mombasa on [[27 October]].<ref name="ntz" />
Sometime during their journey or their stay in the region, Rebmann and Krapf learned of a great mountain referred to as 'Kilimansharo', who peaked the clouds and who was 'capped in silver'. <ref name="ntz" /> The two men, who, like most of Europe at the time, were under the impression that snow and ice could not exist so close to the equator, failed to realise at the time the significance of the mountain being 'topped with silver'. <ref name="ntz" />
However, the two missionaries, who had become just as much explorers as they were missionaries, became quite interested in Kilimansharo, and Krapf sought permission of the Mombasa [[governor]] for an expedition to the land of the Jagga, a people now known as the [[Chaga]], who lived and live on the actual slopes of Kilimanjaro. Krapf told the governor that this journey would be work-based. <ref name="ntz" />
Despite this, Krapf did not accompany Rebmann on the journey, so only Bwana Kheri and Rebmann left for Kilimanjaro on the [[27th April]], [[1848]]. <ref name="ntz" />
Within two weeks, Rebmann and his guide were within sight of the great mountain. He noted in his journal the strange white on the summit of Kilimanjaro, and he questioned his guide on what he thought it was. According to Rebmann's log, the guide 'did not know what it was, but supposed it was coldness'. <ref name="ntz" /> It was then that Rebmann realised that Kilimanjaro, even though it was located in a region that was thought impossible to bear snow or 'coldness', as the guide referred to it, was in fact capped in it. <ref name="ntz" />
On [[November 10]], this is what was written in Rebmann's log:
{{cquote|This morning we discerned the Mountains of Jagga more distinctly than ever; and about ten o'clock I fancied I saw a dazzlingly white cloud. My Guide called the white which I saw merely 'Beredi,' cold; it was perfectly clear to me, however, that it could be nothing else but snow. <ref name="ntz" />
}}
In 1849, these observations were published, but the findings were not truly accepted by most of the scientific [[community]] at the time. <ref name="ntz" />
Mt. Kenya was found by Krapf in the next year, on [[December 3]], 1849. The finding of this mountain was also met with disbelief in Europe, but the impact of the both of these findings was enough to trigger further investigations into other areas of Africa, thereby stimulated a growth of scientific (among other fields) knowledge of the regions, people, history and geography of the African continent. <ref name="brit" />
== Other work in Africa <!-- Better title needed; discuss on talk --> ==
Rebamnn stayed in Africa for almost thirty consecutive years. He kept to a policy that, in order to truly have an impact on the African people, and to complete his task as a missionary, much patience was needed. <ref name="des" /> It appears that this policy was the driving force behind his many years of work on the continent. <ref name="des" />
As well as visiting Kilimanjaro, Rebmann and Krapf visited other areas of Africa, including the [[African Great Lakes]] and [[Mount Meru (Tanzania)|Mount Meru]].<ref name="ntz" /> He even became married to a fellow missionary, Anna Maria, née Maisch, with whom he spent 15 years doing missionary work in Africa before her death in [[1866]], and had a child with (who died sadly only days after his birth). <ref name="des" >{{Cite web|url=http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/start.html|title=Johannes Rebmann biography - mainpage|accessmonthday=4 June|accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Also during his time in Africa, after his expeditions to Kilimanjaro and around the Great lakes, he learned how to speak several native languages, as well as writing a [[dictionary]] in the [[Swahili]] language. <ref name="bio" />
=== The Slug Map ===
[[Image:Slug map.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Slug Map, illustrating some of the missionaries findings]]
During their time in Africa, Krapf and Rebmann worked their way into the interior of the continent. They traveled to several areas in the regions of Central and Eastern Africa, including to what is now known as the African Great Lakes. <ref name="ntz" /> The finding of one especially large lake is depicted in a [[map]] known as the 'Slug' map. It was known by this name because the layout of the water body suggested a shape similar to that of a [[slug]].
On the map, several subtle but interesting things can be discovered, including, in the extreme North east section of the cartograph, a reference to a stream flowing through [[Lake Victoria]], then known by the missionaries as "the Ukerewa".
A note is present describing how the waters of the stream were very sweet, but stained the teeth a sickly yellow. <ref name="ntz" /> This note is probably the first known text referring to the [[drinking water]], found primarily around and of Mount Meru, that has a high content of [[fluorine]] and in fact does cause a yellow-brown stain to the incisors which cannot be removed. <ref name="ntz" />
Among other things, another piece of writing on the Slug Map -"From where the Magad [soda] is bought" - provides evidence that the soda [[trade]], the soda originating in [[Lake Natron]] (obviously not known by that name then), was active at that time in those regions of Africa in which the map depicts. <ref name="ntz" />
The Slug map, having never been published, is now in the care of the [[Royal Geographical Society]] in [[London]]. <ref name="ntz" />
The Slug Map was presented to the Royal Geographical Society in [[1855]] by Erhardt, a fellow missionary. The map is described as such by the society:
{{cquote|Sketch of a Map from 1°N. to 15°S. Latitude and from 23° to 43°E. Longitude delineating the probably position and extent of the Sea of Uniamesi as being the continuation of the Lake Niasa and exhibiting the numerous heathen-tribes situated to the East and West of that great Inland-sea together with the Caravan routes leading to it and into the interior in general. In true accordance with the information received from natives - Representatives of various inland tribes - and Mahomidan inland traders. By the Revd. Messrs. Erhardt and F. Rebmann Missionaries of the Church Miss. Society in East Africa Kisaludini March 14 1855.<ref name="ntz" />
}}
== Later life and death ==
Having almost lost his eyesight for unknown reasons, Rebmann went back to Europe in September 1875. <ref name="de">{{citeweb|url=http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/end_of_life.html|title=Late in Rebmann's life|accessmonthday= 2 June|accessyear=2007}}</ref> He did this and returned to Germany for the first time in 29 years after being persuaded by a fellow missionary who was working in the area. He then proceded to take up residence in korntal, where he was close to his old friend Krapf. In the Spring of 1876, upon the advice of Krapf, he married the widow of another missionary from India, Louise Rebmann née. Däuble.<ref name="de" /> <ref name="de2" /> However, in the same year, on [[4 October]] [[1876]], Rebmann died of pneumonia.<ref name="brit" /><ref name="de" /> Encrypted on Rebmann's tombstone are the words "Saved in Jesus' Arms". <ref name="de" />
The legacy that he left behind him is preserved by the Johannes Rebmann Foundation, a religious society devoted to Rebmann and his memory. <ref name="de" />
Rebmann's work in Africa, both as a missionary and as an explorer, allowed for much of the progress that has been made in those parts of the world possible. <ref name="de" />
==
*[[Tanzania]]
*[[Rebmann Glacier]] - [[Glacier]] named after Rebmann.
== References ==
{{reflist}}
=== Further Reading ===
{{refbegin}}
*[http://www.britannica.com Encyclopedia Brittanica]
*[http://www.ntz.info/ http://www.ntz.info] - primary source of information.
*[http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/start.html Extensive biography of Rebmann and his work in Africa] - sitemap
*{{cite book|title=Do' Missionar vo' Deradenga|chapter=|author=Gütl, Clemens|publisher=|pages=|date=2001|id=}}
*{{cite book|title=Memoir on the East African Slave trade|chapter=|author=Gütl, Clemens|editor=|publisher=|pages=|date=2002|id=}} - publication of an unpublished document from [[1853]].
{{refend}}
== External links ==
*[http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.gerlingen.kdrs.de/servlet/PB/menu/1107813/index.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=9&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DJohannes%2BRebmann%26hl%3Den The Johannes Rebmann Foundation website] - translated into English
[http://www.johannes-rebmann-stiftung.de/en/missionaries/rebmann/operational_area.html Biography - operational area] - Information and a map of Rebmann's area of Missionary operation in Africa
[[Category:German missionaries]]
[[Category:1820 births]]
[[Category:1876 deaths]]
[[Category:Christian missionaries in Africa|Rebmann]]
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