M'fecane Migrating groups

M'fecane Migrating groups

Wars of expansion caused societies to migrate from their original homelands to South East Africa, to move northwards and westwards. These movements include;

Defeated groups who set out on their own careers of conquest. These included; The Qwabe led by Ngeto who established themselves on the edges of Pondoland. The Tlokwa led by a woman- Ma 'Nthatisi who moved westwards from the Veld towards Botswana. The Ngwane, led by Matiwane moved across the Drankensburg from Natal.

Refugees who merged in to new nations strong enough to stand against the Zulu; Swazi created by the efforts of Sobhuza and Mswati, Lesotho; which was created as Basotuland by Moshoeshoe; Sekonyela of the Tlokwa; Faku and the Pondo; the Fingo (beggars) from remnants of Matiwane's army and from Mdingi and Bhele- after their defeat by the Bhaca led by Ncaphayi; the Tswana (Kanye, Bamagwato and Bakwena).

Zulu formations, which struck out on their own- these included; Soshangane took the Shangane northwards into Gaza land where they absorbed and conquered the Tonga; Mzilikazi led the Ndebele across the Drankensberg and finally settled in what is now Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia) the Kololo under Sebitwane; the Ngoni under Maseko and Zwangendaba.

Results of the M'fecane

The results were political, social and economic.

M'fecane led to the birth of new societies e.g. the Swazi, the Zulu, the Basuto, Ndebele and the Shangane.

It led to political instability in an area, which was formally peaceful. This was because of inter-clan and intertribal wars.

He led to exportation and importation of Zulu military tactics and weapons like the short standing spear and cow or bull horn method of attack, surprise night attacks and organization of age - regiments or army.

It led to the destruction of many societies like the Tonga in Mozambique, the Shona in present Zimbabwe and Yao in Southern Tanganyika.

The land vacuum created by the M'fecane attracted the Trek Boers from the Cape colony into the interior South Africa.

It led to the displacement of communities from their homelands into unfavorable areas, for example the Ndebele, Ngoni, Kololo and Ngwane.

Economic activities in South Africa e.g. Agriculture, commerce and trade declined. This led to famine and forced people to eat roots, hunt for honey and even practice cannibalism especially between the Fingo and Pondo.

A lot of property was destroyed during the frequent wars, e.g. villages were set on fire through the Scorched Earth Policy adopted by Shaka on his enemies destroying food and water sources in order to starve the enemy.

It also created banditry activities in search of survival, as people searched for safety from other societies, while others became refugees.

There was depopulation as people migrated to other areas between the Basuto, Basutoland and Zulu land.

Poverty was the outcome due to chaos, instability and general panic in Zululand and its neighbors.

Collapse of some states that were weak e.g. the Rozwi, Ndwandwe and Mthethwa.

Many wars fought throughout south to the north resulted into great instability, chaos and general panic.

M’fecane poisoned interstate relationship that made it difficult to organize against the whites.

With endless warfare, there was massive loss of life and property.

Demographic transformation occurred due to destruction in some areas, e.g. Natal became ravaged by fleeing refugees while central Zulu1and and Basuto state became heavily populated.

The devastating nature of the M'fecane has been accused for contributing to increased slave trading and raiding in the region.

There was the emergence of powerful political leaders and men of charisma e.g. Shaka, Mzilikazi, Moshoeshoe and Sobhuza.

Rise and growth of nations that where multi-clan and multi-ethnic in nature, e.g. The Zulu, Ndebele, Basuto, Swazi and Gaza states

Military transformation that involved the development and spread of the age- regimental system, use of new weapons and war tactics and the development of a standing army.

Cultural transformation occurred as a result of the incorporation of conquered peoples and due to intermarriages.

Moral transformation among the affected African communities. Unacceptable behaviours such as petty thefts and begging stopped in some societies.

There was a change in societal loyalties away from emphasis on clan loyalty to the new powerful leaders and states. Appointments and promotions in the new states came to be based on merit. This was true in the Zulu and Ndebele states.

Societies that were strengthened by the M'fecane were not easy targets of slave raiders, that is it contributed to a reduction in slave raiding and trading.