EAST AFRICA’S NEIGHBOURS
The neighbours of East Africa are the people living in Zaire (DRC present day) Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The other neighbours are the people of North East Africa, these live in Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Sometimes Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia are reffered to as the Horn of Africa. Societies in these regions were engaged in activities similar to those taking place in East Africa by 1850. These activities included agriculture, pastoralism, craft and trade.
The main social and economic factors which gave rise to the interactions among the people of Africa were to conduct trade.
The Impact of Economic Interactions:-
Introduction
Who were the Ngoni and where did they come from?
In origin, the Ngoni were close relatives of the Zulu, a dominant tribe in South Africa (Natal region). They were both agriculturists and pastoralists.
The Ngoni were essentially full time warriors and lived mainly by plundering (stealing) especially cattle. These people migrated from South East Africa and moved Northwards towards East Africa moving through Central Africa.
Background to Ngoni Exodus (or causes of Ngoni Movement Northwards) or why did they leave their homeland to come to East Africa?
In their homeland, there was population expansion and therefore, there was increased pressure on the land.
It was not easy for these Ngoni speakers to extend their territory. This was because there were the Drakensberg mountain in the West. In the East there was the Indian ocean. Expansion Southwards was difficult because of the Boers’ expansion Northwards.
In other words, population pressure led to scarcity of vital resources such as fertile land and pastures and thus this situation necessitated their migration into East Africa.
Outbreak of Civil Wars.
Their migration was also caused by the tyranny (cruel use of power or authority) of SHAKA, the Zulu chief who had embarked as expanding his Kingdom and in about 1818, the Ngoni were defeated by this man. As the result, the Ngoni fled Northwards in order to avoid forcible incorporation in the empire of tyrant Shaka.
Note:-
This period of turmoil or troubles in South Africa is known as the Mfetsane or Mfecane.
Many scholars define Mfecane simply as a war of wondering in South Africa caused by Shaka’s system of rule.
OR
We can precisely define it as time of trouble started in South Africa which was associated with the rise of Shaka Zulu in early times around 1820’s to 1830’s.
Describing their movement and Settlement in East Africa.
Fig: Nguni Movement Northwards to East Africa.
Why were the Ngoni Successful against East African people?
The Ngoni were successful in their invasions of East Africa because of several factors.
Big man power
First and foremost in the course of their movement, they captured and incorporated young men into their army and young women who became wives. This added to their man power and the big Ngoni armies easily defeated their enemies.
Superior military Organization
The Ngoni had superior military organization copied from SHAKA and DINGISWAYO, both chiefs of the Zulu. This organization included:-
Unity.
The Ngoni were well organized with the people fully united under their leaders, the people of Southern Tanzania were weak and in small disintegrated societies which lacked strong central organization of any kind.
Conclusion.
For the above reasons, therefore most of the societies of East Africa were unable to challenge the Ngoni military organization and superior weapons, leave aside the fact that the young brave Ngoni men were always eager to fight and were in very big numbers and they always outnumbered their enemies.
All in all, the Ngoni couldn’t be defeated.
The Effects of the Ngoni Migration.
SOCIAL EFFECTS.
Depopulation:- As the result of the coming of the Ngoni, there was depopulation as villages were destroyed and many people were killed during the fierce wars and others were killed by the “Rugaruga” and “Mavit“.
Detribalization:- People became displaced, homeless and without their tribesmen (detribalization). The survivors of the chaos organized themselves into groups;
“Rugaruga” and “Mavit” who roamed every where stealing and killing people. These groups could be given money or property to fight for chiefs (Mirambo used them).
Famine and diseases:- The Ngoni raided widely for cattle thus they destroyed the wealth of the people. In such situation, even cultivation wasn’t possible. So famine coupled with diseases, made life very difficult. There was much suffering.
Introduction of Ngoni language and culture:- Those who were conquered had to learn them.
The increase of Ngoni:- Since defeated people were absorbed and taught the Ngoni culture, the Ngoni increased both in population and strength.
Suffering and chaos:- Since the activities of the Rugaruga and the Mavit took place when slave trade was at its peak, this made slave to intensify and the result was untold suffering much chaos especially in Tanzania.
POLITICAL EFFECTS.
These states include
ECONOMIC EFFECTS.
The Ngoni invasion disturbed the Arab trade between Tabora and Ujiji.
These were the TUTA who interfered with the trade and else where in Southern Tanzania, trade was disrupted.
It can be summarized that effects caused by Ngoni migration were both destructive and constructive, likewise, they were short lived and long term in one way or the other.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS