Show the lessons Tanganyikans drew from majimaji war in their struggle for independence OR, In what ways did majimaji war serve as a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression in east Africa and how this symbolism evolved in contemporary discussion about post-colonial identity and Nationalism?
Introduction.
The war involved various tribes of southern Tanganykika like Matumbi, Ngindo, pogoro,Luguru, zaramo and Ngoni.
The people of southern Tanganyika were against forced cotton cultivation, forced labour, oppressive taxation, low wages and land allienation imposed by the Germans.
Although the uprising was supressed by the german troops, the Tanganyikans showed that they were not ready to live like slaves in their own territory but rather die trying to liberate themselves.
This left a mark of Nationalism struggle in Tanganyika although it did not include people from the whole country.
The war left some lessons such as;
1. The importance of unity. The war taught other Tanganyikans that in order to succeed in the efforts to liberate themselves from colonial domination, they must join forces against their common foe/enemy instead of fighting separately. Separate fighting was what led to the failure of most of African resistances.
2. Courage. The war alerted Tanganyikans that, to free themselves from German rule, they must be ready to face their oppressor and convey their message, that they wanted freedom instead of hiding their true intent and keep complaining and blaming.
3. Avoidance of superstitious beliefs. The people of Tanganyika learned that in the endeavor to uproot colonialism from their country, they should use realistic tactics instead of superstition which was the chiefcause for the failure of Majimaji war.
4. The use of clever and capable leaders in organizing the mass against colonialists. The organising technique used by Kinjekitile was too dangerous and fatal to his troops. Kinjekitile's organization was like sending his men to suicide, because approaching the enemies with local weapons like arrows and spears against guns was self massacre.
5. The need to use peaceful method. The outcomes of the war was a clear message to Tanganyikans that, the blood which was shed by the patriotic and loyal soldiers of southern Tanganyika was a wastage of human resource and the main reason for separation of families as well as trauma and loneliness. Therefore in order to avoid all these tragedies, only peaceful means was the best solution to their oppression something which was positively taken by J.K nyerere to regain independence.
6. Patriotism and loyalty. The war was a clear indication that the people of southern Tanganyika were ready to die for their land and the next generations. They fought willingly and with lot of courage only for freedom of their people.
Conclusion.
Therefore failure of Majimaji uprising wasn't the end of struggle for freedom, but a point of new beginning for the welfare of the people of Tanganyika.
The war taught the Germans that Tanganyikans were no longer ready to continue living under colonialism, making the Germans to change their oppressive measures, in order to avoid another bloodshed to their people like what happened during majimaji.
Finally Tanganyika gained independence in 1961, but the contribution from majimaji war could not go unnoticed.
Related topics;
Establishment of colonialism.
African Nationalism and Decolonization.
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