Friedrich Bohndorff
Encyclopedia
Friedrich Bohndorff was a German researcher and ornithologist.
Initially apprenticed as a goldsmith
, Bohndorff embarked on a journey in 1871 to Egypt, where he spent a few years learning Arabic
in Cairo
. In 1880 he participated on an expedition to the African interior under the leadership of Wilhelm Junker
(1840–1892). This expedition was a continuation of scientific exploration and research began by Georg August Schweinfurth
(1836–1925) several years earlier. Here the group entered regions inhabited by the Mangbetu
and Azande
peoples. In 1892 his northward return on the Nile was delayed by the Mahdi uprising, and he was forced to spend more than a year in the Bahr al-Ghazal region in southern Sudan.
In 1889 Bohndorff served as a dragoman
of the Schutztruppe
under Hermann von Wissmann (1853–1905) in German East Africa
, and from 1892 lived and worked in Berlin
. In Africa he discovered and described a number of insect
species, as well as ornithological species and subspecies. He has a handful of avian subspecies
named after him, including Anthus leucophrys bohndorffi (Congo plain-backed pipit) and Ploceus cucullatus bohndorffi (a village weaver
subspecies).
Initially apprenticed as a goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
, Bohndorff embarked on a journey in 1871 to Egypt, where he spent a few years learning Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
. In 1880 he participated on an expedition to the African interior under the leadership of Wilhelm Junker
Wilhelm Junker
Wilhelm Junker was a Russian explorer of Africa. He was of German descent.He was born in Moscow. He studied medicine at Dorpat, Göttingen, Berlin and Prague, but did not practise for long...
(1840–1892). This expedition was a continuation of scientific exploration and research began by Georg August Schweinfurth
Georg August Schweinfurth
Georg August Schweinfurth was a Baltic German botanist, traveller in East Central Africa and ethnologist....
(1836–1925) several years earlier. Here the group entered regions inhabited by the Mangbetu
Mangbetu
The Mangbetu are a people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, living in Orientale Province. The majority live in the villages of Rungu, Poko, Watsa, Niangara, and Wamba.-Language:...
and Azande
Azande
The Azande are a tribe of north Central Africa. Their number is estimated by various sources at between 1 and 4 million....
peoples. In 1892 his northward return on the Nile was delayed by the Mahdi uprising, and he was forced to spend more than a year in the Bahr al-Ghazal region in southern Sudan.
In 1889 Bohndorff served as a dragoman
Dragoman
A dragoman was an interpreter, translator and official guide between Turkish, Arabic, and Persian-speaking countries and polities of the Middle East and European embassies, consulates, vice-consulates and trading posts...
of the Schutztruppe
Schutztruppe
Schutztruppe was the African colonial armed force of Imperial Germany from the late 19th century to 1918, when Germany lost its colonies. Similar to other colonial forces, the Schutztruppe consisted of volunteer European commissioned and non-commissioned officers, medical and veterinary officers. ...
under Hermann von Wissmann (1853–1905) in German East Africa
German East Africa
German East Africa was a German colony in East Africa, which included what are now :Burundi, :Rwanda and Tanganyika . Its area was , nearly three times the size of Germany today....
, and from 1892 lived and worked in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. In Africa he discovered and described a number of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
species, as well as ornithological species and subspecies. He has a handful of avian subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
named after him, including Anthus leucophrys bohndorffi (Congo plain-backed pipit) and Ploceus cucullatus bohndorffi (a village weaver
Village Weaver
The Village Weaver , also known as the Spotted-backed Weaver or Black-headed Weaver , is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa...
subspecies).