Kinjikitile Ngwale

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available. (March 2008)

Kinjikitile "Bokero" Ngwale (died August 4, 1905) was a Tanzanian medium and a leader of the 1905–1907 Maji Maji Rebellion against colonial rule in the German East Africa.

[edit] Biography

Born in Tanzania (then Tanganyika), Kinjikitile earned his place in folklore during the Maji Maji Rebellion by the indigenous people of Tanganyika against German colonialists. In 1904, the then relatively unknown Kinjikitile disappeared from his home in Ngarambe, Matumbi. He returned after a few days and said that he had been possessed by a spirit medium called Hongo, believed to take the form of a snake.^[1][2][3] He said that through this spirit, he had communicated with the deity Bokera.^[2] He told his followers that the ancestors had commanded Kinjikitile to lead a rebellion against European colonialists.^[2] This helped start the Maji Maji Rebellion.^[2] Kinjikitile gave his people holy water ("maji") which was intended to protect them from German bullets.^[2][3] He encouraged his followers to overlook tribal differences and unite against the Germans.^[4] After a group of Matumbi attacked the home of a local official in July 1905, Kinjikitile was arrested by German troops.^[5]

Kinjikitile was hanged on August 4, 1905 for treason.^[4][5] His brother continued in his place and the rebellion continued until 1907 resulting in over 100,000 dead.^[6] Despite being unsuccessful, the rebellion is considered by Tanzanians as the first stirrings of nationalism and Kinjikitile "Bokero" Ngwale is considered a hero in Tanzania.^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ Hoehler-Fatton, Cynthia (1996). Women of Fire and Spirit. Oxford University Press US, 73. ISBN 0195097904. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Jestice, Phyllis G. (2004). Holy People of the World: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 480. ISBN 1576073556. 
3. ^ ^{a b} “The Story of Africa - Religious Resistance”, BBC World Service, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/11chapter7.shtml>. Retrieved on 24 March 2008 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Mwakikagile, Godfrey (2000). Africa and the West. Nova Publishers, 70. ISBN 156072840X. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Roupp, Heidi. Teaching World History: A Resource Book. M.E. Sharpe, 229. ISBN 1563244209. 
6. ^ Boahen, A. Adu (1990). Africa Under Colonial Domination, 1880-1935. James Currey Publishers, 80. ISBN 0852550979. 

• Petraitis, Richard. Bullets into Water: The Sorcerers of Africa. REALL. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
• Iliffe, John (1979). Modern History of Tanganyika. Cambridge University Press, pp. 168-172. ISBN 0521296110.