Ntemiship

Ntemiship

Ntemi comes from the word "kutema" which means opening up of new land. It also means finding a locality. Ntemi was the name given to a leader who organized the action of opening up new land and controlled the people. Ntemiship was being practiced in Unyamwezi by 1300 AD. It then spread in the neighboring such as the Sukuma, Sangu, Hehe, Kimbu, Gogo and Bena of Tanzania. There were about 300 Ntemiship in Tanzania in the 18th Century.

Among the Sukuma, the ruler in Ntemiship organization was called Ntemi. He became Ntemi because he was the founder of the locality. He was chosen by a council of elders choosing a person to become Ntemi depended on his wisdom courage and experience.

Responsibilities of the Ntemi

1. Political authority - He was the top authority in the political and judicial matters provided overall guidance in the community.
2. Resource management - He enforced proper uses of resources such as land, water, forest resources etc.
3. Food reserve oversight - He was the overseer of the community food reserve.
4. Dispute resolution - He settled disputes in the community.
5. Tribute collection - To collect tributes from his subjects.
6. Religious leadership - He had the religious power. He led the people in his community in performing religious ceremonies and offering sacrifices to the spirits.
7. Overall guidance - He provided over all guidance in the society.

Factors for the Rise of the Nyamwezi Kingdom

1. Ngoni invasions - The Ngoni invasions in Western Tanganyika made the Nyamwezi people to unite in order to resist the Ngoni attackers.
2. Regional trade expansion - The expansion of real trade into the Regional trade/Long distance trade due to emergency of wealthy traders like the Mirambo who made the effective use of Ruganga.
3. European penetration - Penetration of the Europeans into the coastal interior trade. This introduced new trading patterns to the Nyamwezi traders who joined to effective resist European pressure to stop slave trade.
4. Rise of Mirambo - The rise of Mirambo as trader and leader used their influence to unite the Nyamwezi land.
5. Military technology - The use of the gun and gun powder by the Mirambo's solders; this caused the weakening of watemi submissive to his rule.
6. Urban growth - Growth of the towns Example: Tabora and Ujiji.
7. Population growth - Population growth.
8. People's unity - Unity among the people.