The Causes Of The Mfecane In Southern Africa
THE CAUSES OF THE MFECANE AND WHY IT SPREAD SO FAR
The Mfecane refers to a period of time in Southern Africa where there was political transformation and population migration during the 1820s and 1830s. The word Mfecane is a Zulu word meaning "crushing" or "scattering",which was exactly what happened during the Mfecane. There are various reasons about what led to the Mfecane,such as environmental factors,lack of food and certain chiefdoms expanding and extending their power,some of these reasons have even been outdated. These reasons could also explain why the Mfecane spread as far the Cape Colony up to East and Central Africa.
But one reason most historian believe led to the Mfeacne was the depletion of natural resources. Most people during …show more content…
Fortunately,not all chiefdoms were as disruptive as the Ndebele,for instance,the Basotho under Moshoeshoe,welcomed refugees. Most refugees wanted to join the Basotho because they were welcomed there and the Basotho were located on Thaba Bosiu,where it was easier to defend themselves against raiders,therefore refugees felt safer in the Sotho camp.
Another reason linked to the start of the Mfecane,was the emergence of the Zulu state under Shaka Zulu. But this theory is outdated because at first historians believed that Shaka's Amabutho system,consisted of violent and bloodthirsty men who were ruthless. Now we know that the rise of the Zulu state was also due to Shaka's peaceful diplomacy,even though Shaka broke up or drove away chiefdoms that posed a threat to his chiefdom,which is what any good leader would do to protect his people. Shaka also welcomed members from other chiefdoms therefore he isn't the bloodthirsty tyrant he was made out to …show more content…
An example of an outdated reason would be,Shaka being held liable for the Mfecane and its violence. And as mentioned above,the more accurate reasons include environmental factors,which left many in devasting and desperate circumstances. Another accurate reason is the expansion and extension of chiefdoms,such as the Sotho Kingdom under Moshoeshoe,which led to political transformations. It can also be agreed that the exact reasons why it spread so far aren't very clear. But ones that seem more accurate,are that the Mfecane spread due to trading and migration of
The Mfecane refers to a period of time in Southern Africa where there was political transformation and population migration during the 1820s and 1830s. The word Mfecane is a Zulu word meaning "crushing" or "scattering",which was exactly what happened during the Mfecane. There are various reasons about what led to the Mfecane,such as environmental factors,lack of food and certain chiefdoms expanding and extending their power,some of these reasons have even been outdated. These reasons could also explain why the Mfecane spread as far the Cape Colony up to East and Central Africa.
But one reason most historian believe led to the Mfeacne was the depletion of natural resources. Most people during …show more content…
Fortunately,not all chiefdoms were as disruptive as the Ndebele,for instance,the Basotho under Moshoeshoe,welcomed refugees. Most refugees wanted to join the Basotho because they were welcomed there and the Basotho were located on Thaba Bosiu,where it was easier to defend themselves against raiders,therefore refugees felt safer in the Sotho camp.
Another reason linked to the start of the Mfecane,was the emergence of the Zulu state under Shaka Zulu. But this theory is outdated because at first historians believed that Shaka's Amabutho system,consisted of violent and bloodthirsty men who were ruthless. Now we know that the rise of the Zulu state was also due to Shaka's peaceful diplomacy,even though Shaka broke up or drove away chiefdoms that posed a threat to his chiefdom,which is what any good leader would do to protect his people. Shaka also welcomed members from other chiefdoms therefore he isn't the bloodthirsty tyrant he was made out to …show more content…
An example of an outdated reason would be,Shaka being held liable for the Mfecane and its violence. And as mentioned above,the more accurate reasons include environmental factors,which left many in devasting and desperate circumstances. Another accurate reason is the expansion and extension of chiefdoms,such as the Sotho Kingdom under Moshoeshoe,which led to political transformations. It can also be agreed that the exact reasons why it spread so far aren't very clear. But ones that seem more accurate,are that the Mfecane spread due to trading and migration of