THE MFECANE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mfecane: refer to the wars and disturbances which accompanied the rise of the Zulu state under king Shaka from 1818. The Mfecane can also be defined as the time of trouble in South Africa. It was a great upheaval which affected areas as far as Western part of Tanzania. The Mfecane dominated the first hold of the 19 th century in South Africa.
The famous Ngoni clan groups were;
i. Zulu clan under Senzangakara.
ii. Mthethwa under Dingiswayo.
iii. Ngwane under Sobhuza.
iv. Ndwandwe under Zwide.
CAUSES/FACTOS FOR MFECANE WAR
1. Population pressure: Zulu land is part of the Eastern corridor of South Africa between the Drakensburg Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Due to the favorable climate and absence of diseases such as malaria, its population tended to increase rapidly. As the population increased conflicts between those societies became common and intensified leading to the Mfecane.
2.shortage of Land: The people who occupied Zulu land were farmers, but the existing land was not enough due to population pressure, therefore the search for more land caused conflicts that later contributed to the outbreak of the Mfecane.
3. The coming of the Boers: During the Boer Trek, the Boers left Cape Town away from British control and moved into the interior of South Africa, the penetration of the Boers into the interior of South Africa intensified the pressure on land which led to conflicts that caused the Mfecane.
4. The Shaka rule: The outbreak of the Mfecane can also be attributed to the role of Shaka. Shaka pursued an aggressive and expansionist policy to expand his Kingdom, Zulu state. He attacked many states in the attempt of expanding his state, this action created conflicts that contributed to the outbreak of the Mfecane.
5. Control of profitable trade: The need to control trade along the Delgoa Bay is one of the factors responsible for the outbreak of the Mfecane. Trade contacts with the coast were very important because it was associated with acquisition of guns that can be used for conquest and expansion.
6. Cattle confiscation: the king Shaka lunched campaing of increases the number of livestok from other pastoralist communities this made the cinfrict to increases.
EFFECTS OF MFECANE IN EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
The Mfecane had a tremendous impact in East and Central Africa; some of the effects had a far reaching impact to Africa.
1. It has lead to the formation of states: The Mfecane led to state formation because the severity of these wars led to formation of strong armies for protection, but these armies were later used for conquest and expansion thus forming states. Examples of these states are the Shangani states in Zimbabwe.
2. Spread of Ngoni speaking people: The most permanent results of the Mfecane were the spread of the Ngoni speaking people. These people were called various names in different parts of Africa. They were called the Ngoni in Tanzania, the matebele in Zimbabwe and Kololo in Zambia.
3. Introduction of Military techniques: The Mfecane led to the introduction and spread of new military techniques such as the cow horn style which involved surrounding the enemy.
4. Introduced of new weapons: The Mfecane led to the introduction of new weapons for example the short stabbing spears called the Assegai; these weapons were introduced by the Ngoni from Africa who came to East and central Africa.
5. It lead to Depopulation: The Mfecane led to depopulation because many people lost their lives due to the frequent wars, the most affected region was veld where by many people lost their lives.
6. It brought Famine and hunger: The Mfecane led to widespread of famine in East and central Africa.
