The Impact of Military Strategies during the Maji MajiWar on Non Combatants: Women and Children inSongea District

Abstract

Throughout human history, war and military tactics have been a constant. The establishment of the colonial rule in Africa produced a number of wars that impacted on both combatants and noncombatants. This study examines the military strategies during the Maji Maji War and its impacts on non-combatants especially women and children in Songea District. It also examines the survival strategies during and soon after the war. Three theories served as the foundation for the study: the just war theory, the just and unjust war theory, and the empathic warfighting theory. Both primary and secondary sources were employed in the investigation. Oral accounts and archive sources served as the primary data sources while secondary sources were obtained from books and journal articles. The triangulation of several sources of data collection is aimed to decrease the subjectivity and exaggerations. Songea District was chosen for the study because it had a long history of violent conflict. The results exposed a number of problems with both German and Ngoni military tactics. At first, the Germans sought vengeance in the mistaken belief that they could quickly suppress the opposition. The Ngoni used their conventional military tactics to contain the Germans. Finally, the Germans employed the most devastating military tactic “scorched earth police”, by setting villages on fire. Burning of shelters and food supplies led to starvation and numerous fatalities. In order to maintain their food, health, and security, women and children gathered food and conventional medicine covertly at night out of dread of the German militias.