The Mfecane free essay sample

This is a Nguni term which for forced migrations of various Nguni speaking communities. This took place in the South Eastern part of South Africa in the period between 1810-1860. The Nguni speaking communities include the following: Xhosa, Swazi, Zulu, and Ndebele etc. Many historians have found it difficult to explain the causes of these migrants however population and land pressure amongst these groups living between Drakensbura and Living Ocean was the single most important factors. However, this theory is baseless as it lacks statistical information. Reasons for the Mfecane: -Over population -Evolution of age-grade system. This systems evolved from being a single age grade system to age regiments from one area to another. This was dedicated to professional warfare as the reason for their existence. Shaka, for example was one of the many great Nguni leaders who exploited the age grade systems and turned them into powerful military forces used to conquer neighbouring states to form his own state. We will write a custom essay sample on The Mfecane or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Other leaders who used the age grade systems were: Zwide, Dingishwayo and Mosheshwe. Results of the Mfecane -Spread of zulu type military systems 1. The short stabbing spear (the assegai) was used instead of the long throwing spear. It was more effective. 2. New fighting tactics were also used such as the bullhorn formation. This was when the enemy was encircled before attack. 3. They also used nighttime surprise attacks. -There was an increase of strong central governments. The coming up of deposits (dictator) was proving to be a big problem. The use of age regiments, which cut across local loyalties, enhanced the growth of loyalty to the central government. The new kings appointed commoners to do important work and they also held positions such as would be incorrect to always quate this increased centralization with the growth of despotism. A few examples of deposits were: 1. Shaka Zulu 2. Mzilikazi However not all leaders were despots. For example Mosheshwe and Sobhuza who tended to govern by the rules of the traditional political systems of the Nguni and the Sotho Tswana. -A new social unity developed. People were absorbed in to various new societies. The new groups came to regard themselves as full members of the conquering people and therefore a unrited social as well as political government was created. There was also the use of a common language which helped to increase the feeling of unity e. g the Ndebele clan adopted the Khumalo dialect intermarriage was also an unifying factor. There were so many wars of aggression. There was a drastic increase in destruction of proper deaths and instability. There was an increase in slave-trading ativities. This was because the Nguni took prisoners as slaves. Later on the Swahili and the Yao practiced slave trade. Moshweshwe (Defensive Nation Builder). His career: The founder of Lesotho is in sharp contrast to those of the aggressive nation builders. Moshweshwe built a new state for defensive reasons. He also used the traditional sotho builders. He used the traditional political techniques to gather communities of Lesotho into one nation. He paid very little attention to war and only resorted to it for self-defense or under severe provocation. To him â€Å"peace is like rain which makes the grass grow while war is like the wind which dries it up. † He was born in 1786 near a mountain called mount Buthe-Buthe. It’s believed that a minor Kwiena chief called Motlumi taught him the lessons of wisdom and love for peace. During the period 1822-1836 when the Mfecane was ravaging the Sotho-Tswana land, he gathered a group of refugees on the Mountain fortress of Thaba Bosiu therefore he created the Southern Sotho kingdom in Lesotho. As a general, he successfully defeated assaults on Thaba Bosiu by Matiwane Ngwane (1827), Tlokwa* (1829) and Ndebele (1831). He also carried out a military revolution but he did not imitate Shaka. The heavy broad bladed stabbing spear and the large oval Nguni shield were ill adapted to the mountainous conditions. These weapons needed to be re-adapted for the new needs of the soldiers. He also replaced the knobkerrie (a rungu-like weapon) with a battle- axe. He developed a cavalry armed with guns. He was able to loan out his cattle to other chiefs under the systems called Mafisa. This helped build loyalty to him amongst his neighbouring communities. He formed diplomatic alliances with other rulers who became his vassals. Some of these vassals were Moletsane of Tauna and Moorosi of Phutti. He also used the polygamy to unite his nation. He had more than one hundred wives carefully chosen to represent all communities and regions. The refugee communities who settled among theses people were allowed to maintain their existing leaders and governments. However, he still remained in control by placing his brothers and senior in charge of districts. His state was a federation held together by consensus. His regularly resorted to Sotho-Pitso in settling disputes in matters of policy (these were public assemblies) He relied more on moral influences, personal charisma and powers of arguments rather than institution and force to hold the state together. To large extent by his enemies to create this kingdom through the Mfecane as refugees sought asylum. By 1840, there was constant was between him and Sikonyela of the Tlokwa (who was very cruel and war loving). In 1853, Moshweshwe as a result of a surprise dawn attack that led to the capture of the Tlokwa mountain. This forced Sikonyela to flee to permanent exile and a majority of the people accepted Moshweshwe authority. His people had to keep together and remain loyal if they were to resist a new and a more serious threat from the Europeans. He defended Thaba Bosiu against assault from the British (1852) and the Boers (1858-1866). In the long run, he acknowledged the disparity in the firepower would be significant as a protectorate in 1868 and therefore preserved the identity of the nation but not its independent. Samori Toure: â€Å"The greatest son of Africa who came to power at the wrong time. † Mandinka is a linguistic term that is used to describe the people who speak the language, Malinke (Manding). They form one of the largest groups of well-known and widespread Mande speaking people of Western Sudan. They occupy a vast area and they were the founders and principal people of the famous kingdom of Mali. One branch of the Malinke people called the Dyula had for centuries been famous for their great love of trade especially long distance trade, which made them familiar figures in many parts of both the grasslands and forest regions of West Africa. They travelled far West and East and deep down into the forests of the South buying and selling. At the beginning of the 9th century they were still well known as shrewd traders and skillful craftsmen.