1. Mfecane was the period of widespreading warfare plundening disturbances, destruction and
migrations in zulu land and in some other parts of south africa. The word MFECANE
originated from zulu world which means ‘crushing’. This was in the high area which lies
between the Drakensberg mountains, Kalahari desert and the limpopo river. Sometimes this
can be called the wars of wondering or the disturbances which are accompanied the rise of the
zulu. The war was happened between 1816 and 1856, the first half of the 19th century. The
sotho word for Mfecane was Difagane.
There were causes of this movement, so the following are the causes of Mfecane war:-
Geographical barries: there was feature such as the Drakensburg mountains and the indian
ocean made is is impossible for people to expand to the west east respectively. This
contributed to population increase resulting in wars to secure land. So the population
increased pressure of ownership of land and warfare had became more friguest and severe.
Shortage of land: many people migrated into the area because it was generally good for
farming due to fertility of the land. So the population pressure was as the result of the
population growth during the 18th c evidenced the process of tribal expanding and formation
of units. The process was taking place among all bantu speaking people.
Rise of long distance trade: the trade had developed along the east coast of Africa with the
portugues at Delagoe bay. Because of the desire to control trade some Nguni tribes began to
attack others in order to control and acquire more tribute. In that case the portuguese wanted
to trade with organised groups under powerful leaders. This trade was during 16th c, the
British and Dutch traders were all competing in selling beads and brash wire in exchange for
ivory.
The rise of the zulu nation: this lead to the intensification of the Mfecane by Shaka.
However the Mfecane started even before Shaka. However the mfecane started even before
shaka become cheif of the zulu. This means that mfecane was to take place with shaka. His
coming into power increased the rate of the mfecane as he was interested in wars and hence
defeated other tribes.
Expansion of cape whites. this also caused the mfecane war towards the end of the 1st
century there was the great desire by whites at the capes to expand in the eastern direction in
order to acquire more land. So the expansion of whites in cape led to the contribution of
worsening of the shortage of land.

2. Shortage of land. This was due to population increase which caused by fertile soil for crop
production and high quality pasture. So people could no longer fit on the land was that was
available. In order to get land, people started to fight for it. The defeated ones had to migrate
to other places.
Struggle for some three powerful groups. That groups rise up at that time and started
fighting to each other. Those groups were Sobhuza’s Ngwane, Zwide and Ndwandwe and
Dingiswayo’s Mtethwa. Zwide and Sobhuza were the first one to start fighting over land on
the Pongola river about 1816.
The following are the effects of the mfecane war:-
Formation of the new states. This mfecane war cause the information of the different states
such as the Kalolo in Barotseland and Soshangane and his powerful Gaza were formed.
Defensive states were formed in places where it was easy to defend it incase of war. Example
formation of Moshesh’s Basuto nation on the mountain of the Thaba Bosiu.
Political re-organisation. Mfecane war also cause the political re-organisation meant that
some traditionally smal clan states joined together to form large multi-clan states which
become extreamly strong in order to protect themselves. The conquered people were
incorparated into an expanded tribe.
Military organisation. Many states copied the fighting example Ngoni, Kololo and Ndebele
copied the method of fighting from shaka and zulu. The nguni become the home of new
millitary weapons and tactics. A new weapon like spear was introduced and used with greater
efficiency. Also the cow-horn shape method of surrounding the enemy became besst tactic of
conquiring the weak states.
Depopulation of many communities and societies. Many people died during the mfecane
war. Violance and starvation were occured because the livestock were stolen and people could
not stay long enough in one place to cultivate crops. Most of the people lost their lives. Many
district were left empty due to the wars.
Economic and social disruption. Agricultural activities were abandoned as life became
insecure for everybody. As many people were killed and others forced into exile. Families
were broken down and the population demographics of people affected. The beutifully areas
of Natal were devastated as communities broke down and fled to secure their lives.

3. Decline of many central and east african kingdom. Those kingdom which were declined
were previous strong and prosperous. They could not with stand the military strength of the
tribes from the south, who had already copies Shaka’s style of fighying. Example of those
kingdoms that were destroyed partly due to Nguni invasions were the Lozi, Rozwi and
Tumbu.
Families, traditions and customs broke up. Mfecane wars cause the family traditions and
customs to broke up example circumcision was stopped, stealing become the order of the day
and some people practiced cannibalism to get food.
Many refugues fled in all directions. Thousands of refugees fled as shaka expanded his
territory ad power through wars. This caused a chain reaction of plundering and chaos as the
refugees entered the land of other tribes. The rise of shake thus contributed to the mfecane.
Many herds of livestock and supplies of grain were destroyed. During mfecane war many
herds of livestock were destroyed so this led to the hardship and suffering of cattle. Other
people were forced into exile and others were killed so this led to cattle’s to remain without
any care which cause livestock to be destroyed.
Weakness of african resistances. This led to the European penetration. The Boer penetration
to the interial due to the news that there were existing of an extensive fertile and work
uninhibited land in Natal. When they reached there they were met with no serious resistance
because Mfecane had poisoned interstate relationship and no African unity.
Famine and hunger. This was because many people died during war period and agricultural
activities were destroyed and people do not stay long enough in one place to cultivate crops.
So this led famine and hunger which cause most of the people lost their livs.
By conclusive. The mfecane war brought various changes in south, central and East africa.
Mfecane invironments had cause the impacts on culture, political and economic to the people
of africa. Even though those impact are in negative and positive.

4. References:
1. Davies N.E (2003) A history of sourthen Africa England. Longman Group UK
Limited.
2. Denoon D. (1973) Southern Africa since 1800 published in the United states of
America praeger publishers new york Washington.
3. Mwijage J.F.K. “Major Events in Sfrica history”.
4. www.google.com

5. ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA
ST.MARK’S CENTRE
FACULT OF EDUCATION AND HUMANITIES
COURSE NAME: SOUTH AFRICA
COURSE CODE: H1:202
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: MADAM WINFRIDA
STUDENT NAME:
REG NO: 2010/41134
TYPE OF WORK: INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
DATE OF SUBMISSION:23/12/2011
Question;
Discus the courses and effects of Mfecane war.