Topic 7: State Organization in Pre-colonial Africa – History Form One

State Organization in Pre-colonial Africa

State

This was a centralized political organization that imposes and enforces rule over the resources and people within a territory. The political centralization in Africa started in Ancient Egypt from about 3rd Millennium BCE.

Later widespread ad consistent from about the 5th century and continued through 19th century. Pre-colonial states in Africa had different characteristics and organizational structure

A. The East Africa Centralized states

There were several states developed in East Africa included ;-

Part
– Uganda
	Buganda
	– Toro
– Kenya	– Kamba
– Tanzania	– Chagga
	. Hehe
	– Pare
	– Shambaa
	– Sangu
	– Sukuma wazaelimu. fr kted

i. Bunyoro Kingdom

It founded in 13th Century after declined of Buyonyo-Kitara Kingdom in 16th century. The Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara founded by the Bachwezi people. The king of Bunyoro was called Omukama.

Factors for the Rise of Bunyoro Kingdom

1. Influence of tradition

Tradition had great influence on choosing the Omukama, The Omukama chosen from among the chiefs who came from the ruling family or the royal dynasty of Babito. This helped reduce disputes over power succession among the provincial chiefs who were called Saza.

2. Advancement of iron technology

3. Good geographical location

4. Strong and efficient political system. Omukama divided kingdom ito provinces were ruled by provincial chiefs were called Saza.

5. Development of Agriculture. People were engaged much in agricultural activities that helped them to get food and products for trade. This helped much people to engage in agricultural, fishing, handcraft industrial and trade activities

6. Development of trade. They collected tributes and sold their products.

7. Population growth. This was led the division of labor in various social, political and economic activities.

8. Role of strong King. The Omukama played great roles on leadership and maintenance of its position & Good example Omukama Kabarega helped Bunyoro Kingdom to be strongest by forming strong arm and 20,000 soldiers were called Abarusura. He divided his army into divisions, each under a commander.

9. Fertile areas in Greatlakes regions and good climatic condition

10. Conquest of weak states. The Soldiers were played great roles to conquer weak state and expand their kindogm

Decline of Bunyoro Kingdom

1. Expansion in size of the Kingdom. The increased geographic coverage of the Kingdom made difficult to control. The provinces like Buddu, Toro, Busoga and Koki were broke.

2. Disputes in ruling families. Members of the ruling families sometimes quarreled over kingship succession. A good example of disputes over succession occurred during the rule of Omukama Kyebambe Nyamutukura III, one of his son called Kaboyo Omuhanwa rebelled against his father and established the Toro Kingdom.

3. Limited control over regional chiefs. The provincial leaders had a certain degree of independence. They established the provincial armies that were dangerous in the development of Bunyoro
Kingdom.

4. Death of strong leaders. The death of leaders like Omukama Kabarega led Bunyoro kingdom to decline.

ii. Buganda Kingdom

It started as a small political unity in the 16th Century and began to expand 17th century. It situated in south-west of modern Uganda. It reached its peak of prosperity in mid-19th century.

The title of the King titled as Kabaka. Buganda became one of the stronger and largest kingdoms in the interlacustrine region. Kabaka was the spiritual leader. Kabaka had the following administrative system.

Prime Minister called Katikiro – Chief Justice known as Mugema, advisory council known as Lukiiko members of Lukiiko appointed by Kabaka Kabaka assisted with Batongole who were chiefs of Conquered places. It existed after decline of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom,

Factors for rise of Buganda Kingdom

i. Control of trade

• They cultivated Banana main food crop
• The kingdom produced surplus food.

ii. Formation of strong and stable army

• They conquered the weaker states
• Protect and secure the state

iii. Clear system of succession

• Kabaka and his subordinate leaders practiced hereditary system.

iv. Buganda participated in East and Central Africa Long Distance Trade

• They collected tributes

v. Strong link between the state and clans

• Kabaka was married wives from several clans to reduce conflicts among themselves

vi. Religious beliefs and practices

• They practiced ancestral worship and Kabaka became the spiritual leader
• He assisted by religious leaders from clan spiritual leaders

vii. Development of iron technology

• Iron tools used as the weapons and tools that enabled Buganda to conquer weaker states.

Factors for Decline of Buganda Kingdom

i. Establishment of Colonialism

• White introduced new administration system and destroyed the local administrative system

ii. Religious differences and confliets

• After the coming of Arabs and Missionaries preached to refuse indigenous religion.
• This led conflict among Christians, Muslims and indigenous religion

iii. Introduction of colonial economy

• The introduction of Peasant agriculture by British colonial official changed production system in Buganda kingdom.

iv. Conflicting administrative interests.

• Some chiefs were tried to gain absolute power and authority over their subjects.

B. The Western Sudanic States

These were earliest centralized states in the Western Sudanic zones were ;-

• Ghana empire
• Mali empire
• Songhay empire

i. Ghana Empire.

This empire rose in the 5th century after several states were brought together through war. It was located in southern border region of modern-day Mauritania and Mali between the bend of the Niger and Senegal rivers.

The title of the King was Tunka or Ghana. The capital center of administration was Kumbisalehe. The town located near the Ghana empire were Walata, Awdaghust/Audoghast, Timbukt, Tichitt and Jenne,

Factors For The Rise Of The Ghana Empire

i. Good geographical position

• Its position encouraged agricultural production and was good climatic condition

ii. Development of agricultural activities

• Led availability of food and increase of population

iii. Availability of gold

• It used as item of trade and a form of currency.

iv. Trans-Saharan trade.

• This contributed tributes and sold of products like gold and salt

v. Good leadership and efficient system of government.

• The empire of Ghana divided into provinces and chiefs became heads of them this simplified administrative activities

vi. Development of Iron technology

• It helped to produce the farming tools, weapons, and supported other activities

vii. Military strength

• Ghana had about 200,000 soldiers for state security and expansion.

Factors For The Decline Of Ghana Empire

i. Attacks by Almoravids.

• Ghana was frequently attacked by soldiers from North Africa from 1076 to 1077.
• These attacs aimed at reclaiming Awdaghust which was a major source of salt and gold.

ii. Disunity among people

• This led to be attacked with Almoravids

iii. Dissatisfaction of traders

• Gold traders in Ghana complaining about the king’s monopoly of gold trade and heavy taxes, hence making trading activities unprofitable.

iv. Dissatisfaction of vassal state

• Different vassal states refused to pay tributes while others declared themselves independent of Kingdom

v. Vastness of the empire

• The Ghana empire was too large to control

vi. Jihad wars

• The faith/islamic war to secure and protect the state and to defend Islamic religion
• Sometimes known as Holy war

vii. Lack of stable system of royal successions

ii. Mali Empire

The Mali empire rose after the decline of the Ghana Empire. It began as a small Mandika Kingdom at the upper bend of River Niger. Between the 11th and 12th century, Sundiata Keita and some of rulers of Mali brought a number of Malinke chiefdoms under their control.

In the 13th century, Sundiata led a Malinke army against the Sumanguru of Sosso whom he defeated at the Kirina battle near the modern city Bamako. He decided to control of all the Soninke people after defeated them.

Sundiata built up a large empire of Malis with its capital located at Niami. The most famous ruler of the empire was Mansa Kankan Musa.

Factors For The Rise Of The Mali Empire

i. The strong leadership

• Sundiata Keita and Mansa Musa were good leaders.
• They divided empire into provinces and appointed provincial leaders

ii. Control of gold mines and trade routes

• The empire controlled gold mines at Bambuk, Bundu and Wangara.
• It controlled gold trade routes passing through its territory of gold fields of Bure

iii. Roles of Islam

• Mansa Musa used Islam as a state religion and people should follow and behave on it.

iv. Development of agriculture

• Mali had rich agricultural land and fertile
• It enabled people to produce a wide variety of grains and other crops

v. Strong army

• Mansa Musa kept a large standing army under a battalion of commanders.
• They protected the state and conquered weaker states

vi. Trans- Saharan trade

• They participated in this trade and collected tributes and sold their products

Decline Of The Mali Empire

i. Internal struggle for succession

• This led to struggling among the people and created divisions and separation

ii. Attacks from trade competitors

• The Mosi and Tuareg kingdom attacked the Mali empire to get control of trans- saharan trade routes
• They took items of trade such as gold, slaves, gold and salt.

iii. Rise of the Songhay empire

• The empire of Soghaywas created by Sunni Ali.
• His soldiers destroyed Jenne and robbed its wealth.

iv. Weak leadership after the death of Mansa Mahmud

• Empire became too large to control

v. Lack of unity and the empire was divided into three spheres of influence and they fought
against each other.

iii. Songhai Empire

In the late 15th Century the Songhai Empire originally the Gao, conquered neighboring states under the leadership of Sunni Ali and formed the large empire of Songhai. It was largest empire of all western Sudanic states.

It king was titled as Sunni. Its famous leaders were Sunni Ali, Askia Mohamed and Askia Daud. Gao was the capital city of the empire and was one great center of trade during the Trans-Saharan Trade

Factors For The Growth Of Songhai Empire

i. Development of Agriculture.

• It helped them in trade and food protection
• The agriculture assured the civilians and soldiers of sufficient food.

ii. Strong army

• They protected the states and conquered the weaker states

iii. Control of trade route

• The trans-saharan trade.
• The collection of taxes

iv. Strong leadership

• Sunni Alli and Askia Mohamed were led to the successful expansion of the empire.
• By the late 15th century, the empire had expanded to cover the whole area between Kebbi in East and Jenne in West, Timbuktu in North Hombori in South.

v. The role of Islam

• The Songhay empire was Islamic state and Islamic rules guided, united and helped people of Songhay to be together.

Decline Of Songhai Empire

i. Succession disputes

• The death of Askia Mohamed created some misunderstandings in ruling family.

ii. The Morocean invasion

• In 16th century Sultan of Morocco wanted to monopolize the West African gold trade and
  attacked Songhay empire.

iii. Resistance to heavy tributes

• Peasants and artisans resisted the heavy tributes demanded by the king

iv. Religious hostility between Islamic and traditional beliefs

v. Rise of Trans-Atlantic Trade

• This was decline Trans-saharan trade.
• There was not collection of tributes.

C. The Forest states or West States

These included the following ;-

• Asante empire
• Oyo empire
• Benin empire
• Ife empire
• Dahomey empire

i. Asante Empire.

It was founded by the Oyoko people, one of Akan clans of five chiefdoms in the 17th century. Sometimes known as Ashanti The King was Obiri Yeboa who was Osei Tutu. The capital city of Asante or Ashanti was Kumasi.

The chiefdoms united were Dwaben, Nsuta, Kokofu, Bwekai and Kumasi. In 1670, Kumasi was the most poerful kingdom The symbol of Asante union was a Golden stool. The ruler of Asante was known as Asantehene.

Factors For The Rise Of Asante

i. Development of agriculture

• Due to soil fertility and good climatic condition,

ii. Strong leadership

• Such as Asanthehene, Obiri Yeboa, Osei Tutu and Opokwu Ware.
• They united people of various chiefdoms into Oyoko clan.

iii. Strong military

• Well-disciplined army equipped with modemn weapons such as guns ete.

iv. Traditional belief

• The Asante ruler was traditional priest made Osei utu the occupant of Golden stool
• This action gave power and authority to him to control easily his people.

v. Long distance Trade

• Trans-Atlantic trade

Factors for decline of Asante Kingdom

i. British imperial activities

• The British frequently attacked the kingdom between 1871 and 1901.

ii. Abolition of slave trade

• From mid-19in century slave trade started to ston*

iii. Vastness of the kingdom

• The size of Asante kingdom grew bigger ad other states started to leave
• Those states like Gonj, Kong, Bonchiku, Baule, and Anyi were established self-governing states.

ii.  Ife kingdom

This was Yoruba state which formed aroud the 14th century. Its founder was Oduduwa. Oduduwa explained by two myths

a. 1st myth was creation – According to this myth Oduduwa was brought o the earth from heave by his father Olorun. He had the supreme power to control the Yoruba

b. 2nd myth was claims that Oduduwa came to Ife from the eastem part of region

Factors for rise of Ife Kingdom

• Disunity among Yoruba people
• Development of agriculture
• Existence of trade.
• Good climatic condition
• Reliable rainfall and moderate temperature
• Collection of revenues
• Ife rulers managed o collect taxes which helped them in various activitie
• Good leadership.
• Oduduwa managed to control and rule Ife kingdom

Fall of the Ife Kingdom

• Rise of Oyo empire in the Yorubaland.
• The Oyo kingdom invaded Ibadan, an important town in Yorubaland
• Death of Oduduwa
• This led to disorganize among the people

iii. The Benin Empire

This was found in the southern part of Ife near the Niger Delta. It located deep into the forest. The area occupied by the Kingdom is modern southwestern Nigeria. The present-day country of Benin has no connection with ancient Benin Kingdom

The state was developed by Edo-speaking people in the 13th century. The title of king of Benin was Oba. The King (Oba) claimed to have descended from Oduduwa. The first Oba of Benin was Oranmiyan the son of Oduduwa.

They built the wall surrounded their state. Europeans described it as The Great City of Benin for its and decorative buildings

Reasons For The Rise Of The Benin Empire

i. Strong leadership

• Such as Ewuare sometimes known as Ewure the Great who was turning the city- state into state.
• He appointed chiefs districts

ii. Strong army

• Benin built powerful army mid-15th century

iii. Involvement in Trade

• Other people were involved in trade with Portuguese
• Through trade collected tributes

iv. Development of agriculture

• Good climatic condition

vi. Development of Handieraft Industry

Reasons For Decline Of The Benin Empire

• Introduction of Slave trade
• Portuguese introduced the slave trade that brought bad impact of depopulation in the state.
• Civil wars and dynastie disputes -These caused by conflicts of succession
• British invasion – British troops invaded Benin in 1897 and robbed brass, bronze, and copper
  sculptures

iv. Oyo Empire

Oyo Empire began in the late 14th Century. It originated from Ife Kingdom. The founders of Oyo Empire were believed to have been descendants of Oduduwa.

Oyo located north of the tropical forest in Savannah. It occupies the southwestern corner of the present-day Nigeria. The title of the ruler of the Oyo state was Alaafin

Reasons For The Rise Of The Oyo Empire

i. Strong leadership

• Alaafin Orompoto and Abiodum were managed the state well and stabilize its cconomy

ii. Invasion by the Bariba and Nupe

• This led movement of people from Ife Kingdom to Oyo empire.

iii. Military strength

• The kingdom located in a tsetse fly-free zone which made the uses of horses possible.
• Soldiers were used them during warfare

iv. Involvement in trade

• They collected revenue for the state development.

v. Development of agriculture

• Produced crops for trade and home consumption

Decline Of The Oyo Empire

i. Leadership problems

• Some of leaders were lacked wisdom and governed contrary to establish norms of Kingdom
• One such leader was Aole (Awole) who took throne in 1789 and ordered the attack of Apomu

ii. Disintegration of the centralized authority

• Due to the internal conflicts some of the chiefdoms topped paying tributes

iii. The weakening of the Oyo army

• The internal conflict weakened the Oyo army and undermined its ability to handle subsequent military challenges

iv. Fall of Trans-Atlantic slave trade

• Due to failure of tributes’ collection.

v. Dahomey Empire.

Dahomey rose after the decline of Oyo in the 19thc, It was founded by the Fon people. It had good leaders such as King Agaja and Houegbadja who built the Royal Palaces of Abomey.

Reasons for rise of Dahomey Empire

• Growth of centralized and powerful monarchy
• Boyul succession system was effective
• Strong army
• Good leadership of King Gezo and later Aguja
• Control of Slave trade

Decline Of Dahomey

• Disunity among people
• Death of the leaders
• Dahomey declined after the arrival of the French.

D. Centralized States Of Central Africa

These were involved the following states ;-

• Kongo Kingdom
• Mwenemutapa Kingdom
• Luba kingdom
• Lunda kingdom

i. Kongo empire

It started toward the end of the 14th century. By 1482, when the Portuguese arrived the kingdom was highly centralized. The title of the king was Mani Kongo. The capital was called Mbanza. Later on, Portuguese called capital San Salvador.

Factors For The Rise Of Kongo Empire

i. People of Kongo empire were skilled metal workers, potters and weavers.

• They made fine clothes woven from the fibre of raffia palms

ii. Frequent movement of People

• People were frequently moved in and out of Kongo empire
• This led to the emergence of new villages
• Religious beliefs.

iii. Development of arts and crafts

• Mani-Kongo considered a semi-god by his people.

iv. Monopoly Trade

• King was introduced taxes to traders to pass through the kingdom

v. Good climatic condition

• It favor agricultural activities

vi. Development of agriculture

• Sufficient food for trade and consumption

vii. Population increase

• Led to the division of labor and specialization.

Decline Of The Congo Empire

i. Introduction of Christianity

• It was introduced by Portuguese Catholic Priests.
• The Priests taught Bakongo Christian that Jesus Christ is D sonly King of the earth this meant
• This made attention among the King and his people.

ii. The Portuguese invasion

• They wanted to introduce their culture and norms

iii. Introduction of Slave trade

• Led population of people in the empire

iv. Resistance from provincial chiefs –

• Some leaders influenced their people to stop paying taxes to the central authority

ii. Mwenemutapa Kingdom.

This Kingdom was created under the leadership of Nyatsimba Mutota in 15th century. It was located in Mashonaland in present-day Zimbabwe. Nyatsimba Mutota belonged to the Karanga clan of Mashona ethinic groups

He conquered Tongu and Tawara of the Zambezi valley. He acquired the title of Mwenemutapa, which means ‘Master of the conquered lands’. He was a political, military and religious leader. Mutola died in 1450 and his son

Mani-Kongo Nzinga Nkuwu was not a king. Matope inherited, after Matope’s death in 1480 Changamire took over in 1490.

Reasons For The Rise Of Mwenemutapa

i. Development of Agriculture

• People settled in permanent area.
• This supported with availability of water bodies ad fertile soil.

ii. Good leadership

• Nyatsimba Mutota and his son Matope and Changamire were wanted land on their people could settle, graze livestock and grow cash crops.

iii. Role of indigenous religion

• The Mashona worshipped a supreme god called Mwari.
• Their powerful god could only be approached through priests called Svikiro

iv. Strong and well-equipped army

• They helped to protect the kingdom and expanded

v. Trading activities

• Availability of valuable goods such as copper, iron and gold
• They traded with Arabs, Swahili and Portuguese traders

Reasons For The Decline Of Mwenemutapa

i. Resistance against payment of tributes

• Some of clans such as Uteve, Barwe, and Manyika were refused to pay tax.

ii. Arrival of Portuguese

• The arrival of Portuguese who monopolized the gold trade

iii.  Disunity among people

• The kingdom became divided into two parts Mutapa and Ruzwi

iv. Death of leader

• After the death of Matope, his son Nyahuma took over.
• He was younger than the other Chief so that Chief rebelled and caused civil war.

iii.  Luba State.

This was located on the upper Lualaba river valley around Lake Kisale. Located in the southeast of the present-day Democratic Republic of Congo.

By 1300CE, people in the Lake Kisale region had organized themselves in many farming and trading chiefdoms. These chiefdoms united into a single centralized kingdom between 1300CE ad 1400CE under a dynasty called Nkongolo

Later, in the 15th century, Ilunga Kalala, a heroic hunter who was believed to possess magical powers, overthrew the Ngongolo dynasty.

Reasons For The Rise Of The Luba State

i. Geographical location of the kingdom

• The kingdom located in favourable environment.

ii. Good leadership

• Luba kings developed a well-organized structure of leadership and appointed chief to help them.

iii. The development of trade

• This due to availability of copper and iron tools

iv. Development of agriculture

• Due to availability source of water etc

v. Development of iron and copper technology

• They were used as item commodities and medium of exchange

vi. Development of fishing

• Due to presence of lakes and rivers

Factors for fall of Luba Kingdom

• Slave trade
• Led to depopulation
• Succession conflict – Among the members of ruling clan conflicted on how to over power.
• Disunity among people
• Death of the leader

iv. Lunda State.

It located the areas now referred to as the Democratic Republic of Congo, North- castern. Angola and North-western Zambia. It established by immigrants from the Luba Kingdom in the 15th century. The Luba kings took the title of Mwanta.

It began as a simple village and their first ruler was called Mwantagaand. Ilunga Tshibinda who came from Luba married a princess from the area and their son became the first paramount ruler of the Lunda State. It collapsed early 20th century

Factors For The Rise Of Lunda State

i. Role of immigrants

• These immigrants known as Chibunda Ilunga.
• These immigrants married the Lunda’s women and got children for future generation.

ii. Development Iron technology

• They produced iron tools which helped them in agricultural, fishing, hunting and trading activities moreover weapons for security.

iii. Long distance trade

• They participated in East-Central Africa Long Distance trade

iv. Development of agriculture

• Assured the availability of sufficient food among the people.

v. Good leadership

• The stimulated the collection of taxes and united people in one community

vi. Conquest of he neighboring group

• They expanded and grown through it.

Factors for decline of Lunda Empire

• Chokwe invasion – Chokwe were soldiers who had full of weapons and wanted to establish their new
  kingdom. They introduced their own language and customs.
• Partition of Africa – The division marked the complete disappearance of the Lunda kingdom because other parts divided into Portuguese – Angola, King Leopold – Congo Free State, British – the North-Western Northern Rhodesia.
• Death of the leader.

E. Southem African Kingdoms

The Kingdoms that were established in Southem Africa before colonialism included

• Zulu Kingdom
• Sotho-Tswana Kingdom

i. Zulu Kingdom

This extended from the coast of the Indian Ocean and Tugela river in the south to the Pangola river in the North of today South Africa. The kingdom in 19th century under leadership of Dingiswayo. It lasted from 1800 to 1817. It headed by Tshaka (Chaka) who was militarv lad

Factors for the rise of Zulu Kingdom

i. Strong leadership.

• Tshaka Zulu was the Strongest leader and powered in centralized leadership.

ii. Role cultural festivals

• The King introduced annual cultural festivals.
• People from allover the kingdom attended the festivals
• This built sense of unity, belonging and loyalty to the king.

ii. Control of trade

• The king controlled trade and all ivory collected from the kingdom.
• The King opened the trade route to Delagoa Bay where ivory was exchanged with bead
  and clothes.

iii. Standing army

• The Zulu soldiers had the well fighting techniques such as Cow horn technique and
  weapons short stabbing spears known as Assegai.
• The had permanent camps, well trained and disciplined.

iv. Development of agriculture

• Crop cultivation and livestock keeping were major economic activities.

Decline of Zulu Kingdom

i. Boers invasion in the 1830

• Led the introduction of administrative system in the kingdom

ii. Kingdom administration

• This led disorganized among the chiefs and their people.

iii. Weaker leadership of Shaka’s successor

• Shaka was succeeded by Dingane Kasenzangakhona who lacked leadership.

iv. British colonization

• The establishment of British colonialism in South Africa led complete changes in Zulu