Nguniland is the region between the Indian ocean in the east and Drakensburg mountains in the west. It also extends from the Tugela river in the South to the Pongolo river in the North. There were many Nguni groups before the Mfecane wars.

Names of Nguni groups-Chiefs/Tribes

• Ndwandwe led by Zwide-Dhlamini-Zizi
• Ngwane led by Sobuza-Hlube-Jere
• Mtetwa led by Dingiswayo-Qwabe-Xhosa
• Zulu by Senzangakona then Tshaka.
• Khumalo led by Mzilikazi.

Causes of Mfecane Wars

• Increase in population(overpopulation)
• Environmental problems.
• Drought and famine.
• Ivory trade-Trade in Mozambique.
• Slave trade with Portuguese in Mozambique.
• Ambitious leaders Zwide,Sobuza,Dingiswayo.
• Millitary reforms.
• Rise of Tshaka.
• The coming of Europeans.

Results/Effects of Mfecane Wars

1.Possitive

• The Zulu benefited -defeated groups paid tribute so the Zulu became rich -eg livestock,minerals.
• They got women from raiding and wealth.
• Decrease in population so the Zulu had more land.
• It produced many good leaders eg Zwide.,Sobuza.
• New states were formed -Gaza,Ndebele,Ngoni state.
• It led to spread of Zulu culture eg dressing and language.
• The zulu became united.
• Strong armies protected people.

2.Negative

• Hunger as agriculture was disturbed.
• Canibalism developed
• People became homeless.
• There was fear and insecurity.
• Loss of life.
• Loss of livestock by defeated groups.
• Weak groups began to live in mountains eg Sotho.
• Some groups were forced to travel long distances.
• Nguni groups fleeing from Tshaka caused the collapse of chiefdoms in central Africans for eg Nguni groups caused the collapse of Rozvi state.
• Nyamazana killed Mambo Chirisamhuru ii and no new king was chosen after Chirisamhuru.
• Ngoni groups raided the Rozvi for cattle,grain,women and young men.
• These groups were led by Nyamazana,Nxaba,Maseko and Zwangendaba.
• The Ndebele defeated the Rozvi and absorbed the Rozvi
• Mfecane wars made it easy for the British to colonise Sourthen Africa because Africans were weakened by wars and many African lands were unocupied.

By: T.Titus Nyakudyara
Twitter: @NyakudyaraTitus

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