THE HEHE RESISTANCE (1891 – 1898)
This was
a resistance that
was waged by
the Hehe under
Chief Mkwawa (Mkwanyika) to fight
against the Germans
at Uhehe. The Hehe
Resistance was a
remarkable war in
the German history
as far as
the colonization of
Tanganyika is concern.
This
is because the
war took a
long time than
other resistances that
faced Germany in
Africa. Mkwawa fought the
Germans in order to
safeguard his political
and economic interests. This was
due to the fact
that, the German traders
interfered the trade
in his area.
Mkwawa decided to
block the trade
caravans which were
passing in his
area. This tendency provoked
the Germans who decided
to react against
Mkwawa. At the beginning, Mkwawa wanted
to make compromise with
the Germans as
he sent delegates
to meet the Germans
Officials who were
at the, however the German
killed those delegates.
This made
Mkwawa to respond
in the same
way where in
1891, he killed German
Commander Emily Von Zelewiksy
and hi soldiers. Therefore the Germans
were seriously defeated
in the first
attack. The Germans reorganized
for another attack where
in 1894 they
attacked Uhehe and
managed to capture
Kalenga, which was Mkwawa’s
capital.The war continued
for four years
until 1898 when
the Hehe succumbed
to the German
colonial rule.
However,
Mkwawa could not
accept the same
of surrendering, he
shot himself. The German
soldier found Mkwawa
already dead and
decided to cut
off his head
and took it
to Germany.
THE NYAMWEZI RESISTANCE (1891 – 1893)
It was
a small – scale resistance
waged by the
Nyamwezi in Western Tanganyika. The resistance
took place between
1891 and 1893.The
Nyamwezi people were
led by Isike to
fight against the
German colonial rule. Isike
led the Nyamwezi
people to defend
his political sovereignty and
economic interests. The Germans
threatened his position, as
they wanted to
control the Long
distance which was
the backbone of
Isike’s economy. The Nyamwezi
fought bravely and
managed to resist
the German’s attacks. However in
1893 the Nyamwezi
were defeated and
Isike decided to
shoot himself rather
than being captured
by the Germans.
THE YAO RESISTANCE (1890 – 1899)
This was
a resistance undertaken
by the Yao
under the leader, Machemba to
fight against the
Germans. This occurred after
introduction of hut tax by
the Germans but
the Yao refused
to pay the hut
tax. The Germans decided
to attack them
but at the
initial stage, Machemba won
the Germans attempts. In
1899, the Germans sent an
ultimatum which forced
him to surrender
out Machemba refused
and continued to
resist the German
Colonial rule.
Therefore in July
1889, the Germans decided
to apply their
Military force and
as a result
they occupied Machemba’ s
fort and imprisoned
his followers. Machemba himself
had no any
other choice rather
than escaping to
Mozambique.
Tags
HISTORY