AFRICAN RESISTANCE
AFRICAN RESISTANCE
The
term African resistance is referred as the early struggle conducted by Africans
against the imposition of colonial rule during their attempt to occupy the
African land from 1880-1914. During this period Africans tried their level best
to resist against colonial rule in different ways as others reacted by
collaboration and others reacted by resistance.
African
resistance has been classified into two categories and these are primary and
secondary resistances. Primary resistance was the initial resistance against
colonialist. During this period African resisted the early penetration of
colonialist. Some examples of primary resistance include that of Kenya against
Britain in 1895, Tanganyika against German in 1896 and the resistance done by
Mandika people resisting against French in 1880’s-1887s.
Secondary resistance was the
resistance which began soon after the establishment of colonial rule and
colonial economy, some examples of secondary resistance include Nama and Herero
uprising, Maji maji war as well as MAU MAU war in Kenya.
Colonial
rule is a policy or practice of a wealthy or powerful nation in maintaining or
extending its control over other countries especially in establishing
settlement or exploiting resources. Thus a ruled country by the wealthy or
powerful nation over a weaker country is known as colonial rule.The smaller ruled
nation is called a colony,there is no justices in system the weaker nation is
exploited its resources. After ww.II colonial rule has declined although it
didn’t stop immediately.
Technological
backwardness refers to the technology that having less progress than normal. It
is as that which develops slowly. In this regard we see unsophiscated
technology which is used and limit the production of basic needs or basic necessities.
It is true that African resistance
against the imposition of colonial rule proved failure because of technological
backwardness as by the end of 19th century. Most of African
resistance against colonial rule such as MAJI MAJI war, MAU MAU war and Herero
uprising they all came up with no victory.Indeed technological backwardness was
an important factor for the African defeat and this can be substantial as
follows:
The use of inferior weapons. During
struggle African used different weapons to fight against the enemies as one
among of the resistance against colonial rule but Africans used very poorly technological
weapons like bows, spears while Europeans used superior weapons like the
Magazine gun, Machine guns which was to fast and sophisticated. In this matter
Africans could not win the battle due to their poorly weapons they were
applying.
Poor
communication technology. Poor communication system of Africa lead them unable
to spread information of resistance. Example drams failed to spread information
far area and interior something which led some area not to organize themselves
in resistance. Also African had no pre-information on how the enemies are their
weapons position and other war techniques that will be applied by the enemies.
Europeans
disciplined and well organized army. The European army were better, trained and
more experienced army compared to African army. European armies were well
organized in terms of tactics, strategies weapons and information system but
African had poor armies, with poor technological tactics, strategies, weapons
and information systems.
Inability
to control natural calamities many African society had been hit by natural
calamities such as famine, drought and epidemic without knowing now to control
them Africans had no technology of controlling these natural calamities. These
calamities weakened and became unable to wage a stiff resistance against the
Europe.
However, apart from technological
factors there are other factors which contributed much for the defeat of
African resistances and these include.
Disunity
among African leaders. African rules had no common ideology against the
enemies; this led to the resisters become unable to come together for the
common goals of fighting against enemies. Example Shone and Ndebele united
together to eight British in southern Rhodesia but their unification did not
exist longer as some of the people from two society begun to collaborate with
European for private benefit. Thus in 1880 Lubengula and other members from the
Shona and Ndebele refused to join their fellow Africans because of being
promised 100 Dollars. in the end Lubengula and his, fellow gained nothing.
During that time Lubengula was a leader of Shona and Ndebele after the death of
Mzilikazi.
Unpopularity
of some African leaders. Some African leader were not sound good to their
subject, this contributed much to European victory. Example the conquering of
Mkwawa and Ndebele was due to this factor. Some African leaders such as Shaka
Zulu and Mkwawa had autocratic behaviour and brutal system toward their
followers. In this regard many Africans hate their leader and therefore
welcomed the Europeans and reguard them as their devoirs. Due to this many
African indigenous did not participated fully in resisting against the imposition
of colonial rule.
Africans
had weak economic base. Most Africans tribe had weak economic base something
which led them unable to fight/resist for a long time, example shone and
Ndebele during Chimureng war of 1887 they had no enough food to eat for a long
time of resisting. During fighting African tribes lacked weapons as their local
industry could no longer produce by that time, food and cattle due died as
there was no people to take care of them. With this disaster African tribes
could not fight for a longtime due to weak economy to facilitate life.
The
rule played by missionaries. The Christian missionaries from Europe created
confusion and division among Africans Christianity. Missionaries converted many
Africans from their culture into European Christian culture. With this system
European under Christianity had many followers who despised Africans culture
and adopted European way of life. Therefore any leader who resisted was taken as
on –Christianity, with this techniques many tribe did not join their fellow in
fighting for the enemies.
Military
superiority of Europeans. Due to industrial revolution in Europe, the Europeans
were able to manufacture weapons which were superior and tough compared to
rudimentary and simple Africans weapons example the Maxim gun could not be
resisted by spear bows and arrows as well as the outdated guns which African
rulers used. The technique used by Africans during war also exposed them to
European bullets. The strong military and technological weapons helped the
Europeans to crush the resistance in short time.
Determination
by Europeans. the Europeans were determine to fight tirelessly and at all cost
to preserve their newly acquired colonies which were to be a source of raw
materials example in Angola due to the presence of oil and mineral the
Portuguese were ready and determined to suppress all revolts in order to
continue with their exploitation.
Also
in South Africa the existence of huge mineral deposits made the sumander and
with drawl of the British impossible.
Reliance
on African beliefs. African relied too much on their local beliefs which were
false, they believed such believe would make them immune to the European
bullets, this made them bold and courageous to the extent that they attacked
European without arms as the resuit they died in large number which affected the morals of the fighter. Example
during maji maji war of 1905 up to 1907 Kinjekitile Ngueale ked his follower
believe in water something which led a huge number of solder to die.
Effects
of slave trade and wars. The slave trade in some Africans areas the Mfecone and
religious wars in West Africa had undermined the continents of strong men by
causing depopulation and led to devastation of African society. This
destruction undermined inter-state corporation unity to resist colonialism and
left only the weak, women and children who could not resist.
In
concluding, Africans resistance war will never be forgotten in the mind of
Africans due to its vital role it played we should remember that all attemply
to resistance done by Tanzania and Africans in general aimed at retaining
independence from external domination.
By
the early 1900s most of African resistance had failed but Africans continued
with their anti-colonial effort by using other methods. The indigenous press
had become invaluable tool for ant-colonialist but the trend was filled by the
political change which brought about by intelligent Africans movements which
moved the continent in reforming revolution.
Reference
Mwijage L.E.W. (2008). African History for Secondary School.
Arusha: Prompt Printers & publishers ltd.
Kata,
A., (2011), For Advanced Level Secondary
Education-, Mwanza Publishers Books
