THE NAMA / HERERO UPRISING
The people of South West Africa (Namibia) resisted German colonization from 1904 to 1907. In this mass uprising, the Nama were led King Hendrik Witbooi who died in 1905 and later on King Jacob Morenga who died in 1907. The Herero were led by King Samuel Maherero. The Germans were under Major Leutwein and later on under General Lieutenant Von Trotha.
THE CAUSES OF THEIR UPRISING
The war was backed by a number of factors. The prime causes include:-
German’s brutality and Harshness. The Germans were too harsh when collecting tax and supervising other economic activities. Many Africans were tortured and jailed without apparent reasons and regular trial.
Loss of independence. The African indigenous authorities were no longer respected. The African were subjected to German direct rule in which the native leaders and their subjects were required to receive orders from now taskmasters. They fought for the restoration of their independence.
Nama Loans. The Nama cattle sellers (dealers) borrowed money from the German traders, when they failed to return their loans, their cattle and other properties were confiscated and given to the German traders and government.
The outbreak of Rinderpest cattle disease in 1903. The African religious leaders considered this as a curse from their dead ancestors for keeping the Germans who abused their African civilization. The option was to kick the Germans out of Namibia so as to end the curse. Also, the affected cattle were killed by the authorities. The Africans were also forced to sell some cattle to South Africa through German cattle dealers.
Taxation. The natives were forced to pay tax of different costs. Those who failed were jailed or had to face confiscation of their cattle.
Destruction of railway line. The Africans destroyed German’s properties such as Railway track between Swakopmund and Windhoek towns, interrupting telephone connections, burning farms and public building etc. The Germans had to use force to put Africans under fear and respect.
Colonial government favour. The government favored the while settlers against the natives when required to execute fair judgment in courts and other civil services. These too provoke the natives to resist.
Land alienation. The Nama who were predominantly pastoralists were pushed near the Namib Desert, the area was very hostile to their animals due to its lack of water, enough pasture and presence of tsetse flies. The Herero too were evacuated from their fertile areas so as to allow settler activities. The Africans fought because they wanted to restore their land.
The Ovambo revolt. The Ovambo of Northern Namibia resisted the German, when they were handling the Ovambo, the Nama and
Herero used that chance to start the fighting hence the outbreak of the uprising.
NOTE: The war was fought for about four years. The Africans were defeated due to their technological backwardness.
REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF NAMA, HERERO RESISTANCE.
The native’s backward military technology against Germans advanced war technology with the advanced military techniques. This made the Africans weak in the battle field.
Lack of unity: Although they shared the same enemy (foe), the Nama, Herero and Ovambo didn’t join their efforts (armies) against German. They fought while divided (separated).
Lack of adequate preparation: They went to fright without having thorough military preparation (proper preparation). This also cost them.
German scorch military tactics: The Germans scorched African villages and destroyed food storage areas and other properties. This made the Africans weak before the Germans.
Ignorance: The native fighters were overconfident; they were ignorant of the Germans military mighty. This made them not well prepared practically.
Poor organization: The native leaders made the Africans trust them and their black magic (witchcrafteness) against the German soldiers. They applies the layman approach instead of scientific approach in handling German forces.
Impact of colonial economy: The land alienation made Africans live in new area in which they could not organized themselves in a proper way. The forced labor also made some Africans adopt a new way life and abandon the responsibility of African men as natural soldiers.
IMPACT OF THE NAMA, HERERO WAR
Establishment of concentration camps: the Germans used this to torture women, old men, children and war captives. In the concentration camps, the Africans were affected by the weather and physical torture such as harsh treatment.
Loss of more land to the Germans. When the natives moved from the war torn areas, the natives left behind their land which had to be acquired cheaply by Germans.
Loss of more cattle: The German solders confiscated cattle from African villagers, some Africans escaped without their cattle. The cattle and other properties were cheaply acquired by Germans.
Destruction of villages: The natives villages were scorched by German forces. The Africans became property less thus had to start their lives afresh after the war.
Poverty and famine: The Africans poverty increased during and after the war. It also increased the lack of food at the disposal of Africans community.
Separation of families: The native families were destroyed by death of family members or by the displacement of people during the continuation of the war.
Destruction of railway lines: The natives destroyed railways which joined the town of Swakopmund and Windhoek. This was done by the provoked natives as a means of cooling their wrath against the German colonial government.
Death. Between 20,000 and 30,000 Herero were killed. About 2500 Germans were killed, also many Nama and Ovambo were killed during the war.
Generally speaking, the war consolidated German colonization in South West Africa (Namibia).
