Resistance against German colonialism

Resistance against German colonialism In the previous chapter, we learnt about African heroes who led the resistance against colonial rule in Africa. Even after failing in the resistance wars, Africans continued to resist colonial exploitation and oppression. In German East Africa, the Germans used almost 15 years to consolidate colonial rule. This long span of time was a result of the resistance of many ethnic groups in the territory. The following are specific examples of the ethnic groups that resisted German colonialism.

1. Resistance movements in the coastal areas
2. Resistance in the northern areas
3. Resistance in the western areas
4. Resistance in central areas
5. Resistance in the southern areas

Resistance movements in the coastal areas In the coastal areas, the resistance against colonialism was led by traders. The most important traders were Chief Abushiri bin Sultan of Pangani andBwana Heri of Uzigua. Chief Abushiri was well prepared to oppose German invasion in his territory. The Germans had to reinforce military power by sending in Major von Wissmann to end Abushiri’s military base. Over time Abushiri’s military power was eroded. He temporarily escaped to Usagara, where he was eventually captured by the German colonial armies. The Germans hanged him to death in public in order to terrify other Africans. Bwana Heri also offered formidable resistance, although it was short lived compared to that of Abushiri. He was defeated after about six years of military resistance. Another formidable resistance came from Makunganya in Kilwa. Resistance in the northern areas In the northern areas of German East Africa, the Chagga put up resistance against German colonial invasion. Heroic leaders of the Chagga that led such resistance were Mangi Sina of Kibosho and Mangi Meli of Moshi. Mangi Meli waged military resistance from 1892 to 1893. His army killed many Germans, including the military commander Von Bullow. The Germans eventually captured him in 1893 and hanged him to death in public. Resistance in the western areas In the western parts of Tanzania, the most important resistance came from the Nyamwezi. The Nyamwezi had courageous leaders such as Mtemi Isike, Mwana Kayugi and Mtemi Mirambo. They organised resistance against German colonialism from 1886 onwards. Mtemi Mirambo was defeated when the Germans captured his fort. However, the Germans did not capture Mirambo. When Mtemi Mirambo found himself surrounded by the Germans, he killed himself and his family using a firearm. Resistance in central areas The Gogo also provided strong resistance in 1893 against German colonial invasion. The leaders of Gogo resistance were Mtemi Kigole of Kilimatinde and Mtemi Sinyangaro. Resistance in the southern areas Many ethnic groups resisted German colonialism in this region. The Hehe provided the strongest resistance. The Hehe were led by Mtwa Mkwavinyika Mkwawa, whose portrait appears in Figure 4.   Chief Mkwavinyika Munyigumba Mwamuyinga (Mkwawa The Maji Maji war (1905-1907) The Maji Maji war was the most significant uprising mounted by the people of German East Africa against German colonial rule. The ethnic groups that participated in the war included the Matumbi, Ngindo, Yao, Bena, Lugulu, Mbunga, Pogoro, Zaramo, Ngoni and Matengo. The war started in 1905 and ended in 1907. This war was called Maji Maji because of the belief which was instilled in the people and soldiers, that is, the bullets of German soldiers would turn into water. The person who created that belief was known as Kinjekitile Ngwale. Ngwale was a traditional healer among the Matumbi. He gave the people the sacred water, which they believed would protect them from harm. He lived in Ngalambe in Lindi District. The war started at Nandete in the Matumbi highlands, near Kipatimo. The Matumbi resisted the cultivation of cotton. The war spread to many areas in Rufiji, Kilosa, Morogoro, Coast Region, Mahenge, Songea and Njombe. Figure  shows all the areas where the Maji Maji war was fought.     Causes of the maji maji war

1. Forced labour The Germans forced the people of Tanganyika to grow cotton and forced them to do so without paying them. This angered the people and they decided to resist German colonial rule.
2. Dictatorial practices The Germans used dictatorial practices to rule German East Africa. They used corporal punishment. They beat people when they made even small mistakes. Local leaders such as chiefs Jumbes and Akidas could also be punished in public if they did not implement colonial government directives.
3. Taxation The Germans forced people to pay taxes. Those who failed to pay taxes were humiliated in public, faced corporal punishment and were sent to prison.
4. Land alienation The German colonial officials and settlers took people’s land by force and without any compensation. All fertile land was taken by the Germans for settlement, agricultural production and other colonial investments. The people were not happy to lose their arable land.
5. Low wages The wages paid to labourers were extremely low compared to the amount of work they did. This angered many labourers.
6. Despising of African culture The Germans despised African culture. They said it was primitive and barbaric. People were not happy with this attitude.

Reasons for the failure of the Maji Maji war

1. Poor weapons compared to those used by the German colonial armies;
2. Lack of unity among African ethnic groups, each group fought on its own;
3. anguage barriers among them;
4. There were puppets among the Africans who leaked African military secrets to the German colonial armies;
5. A weak economy which could not support the Africans to fight for a long time; and
6. The Germans’ violent pacification strategies that involved burning houses, destroying farms, burning food granaries and killing women and children.

Effects of the Maji Maji war

1. Many people were killed, it is estimated that over 100,000 people died;
2. Hunger and famine were experienced in many parts of southern Tanzania because the people could not engage in farming;
3. Thousands of families were displaced during the war;
4. Local political authorities declined as the Germans tried to eliminate the chiefly domains that mobilised the people to fight them;
5. Some Germans lost their lives during the war; and
6. The Germans changed their administrative style and allowed local communities to grow cash crops.