The Oman Arabs helped East Africans to defeat Portuguese along the coastal in 1698. Oman now became rulers. Therefore, people of East Africa were not free apart from defeating the Portuguese.
In 1741, Mombasa established her independence chief domain under Mazrui family; this was an order from Arabs family of Oman in origin the Mazrui family was conquered by Sultan Seyyid Said of Oman. From 1840 onwards, Sultan Seyyid Said becomes the master of the East African coast.
MOTIVES/AIMS OF OMAN ARABS IN EAST AFRICA.
1) To have clear control/monopoly of trade existed at the coast especially Indian ocean trade.
2) They wanted to control all the city-states along the coast.
3) To stop the spread of Christianity led by Portuguese and maintaining Islamic culture.
WHY SULTAN SEYYID SAID SHIFTED HIS CAPITAL FROM MUSCAT OMAN TO ZANZIBAR
The following were the factors for sultan Seyyid Said to shift his capital from Muscat Oman to Zanzibar in 1840.
Ø Good climatic condition supported the settlement of Arabs.
Ø Fertile soil for agricultural purpose especially clove and coconut products.
Ø Deep natural harbor in Zanzibar for importation and exportation of goods.
Ø Trade activities examples controlling the Indian Ocean trade.
Ø Abundant fresh water for irrigation and soiling.
Ø To avoid conflict in his home after killing his brother Iman said.
IMPACTS OF OMAN ARABS (SULTAN) DOMINATION IN EAST AFRICA.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS.
Ø Increase of slave trade.
Ø Land alienation.
Ø East African people were exposed to international trade.
Ø The expansion of trade.
Ø Introduction of new cash crops example; coconut and cloves.
Ø Establishment of feudalism where African become serfs and tenants
Ø Exploitation of African resources.
SOCIAL IMPACTS.
Ø Death due to resistance against the Arabs
Ø Spread of Swahili language.
Ø Development of Swahili language. E.g. Addition of Arabic words like Sali, habari etc.
Ø Spread of Islamic religion.
Ø Slavery activities.
SLAVE TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN SEA BOARD
Slave: Is the person who is illegally owned and controlled by another person and is forced to work for them.
Slavery: Is an act of owning and using slaves.
Slave trade: Is the activity of buying and selling human beings like other commodities.
Slave trade in East Africa began after the arrival of Portuguese in 15th Century up to 1873 during the SayyidBarghash treaty or free treaty.
Africa experienced two types of slave trade.
Ø The Indian Ocean slave trade which was conducted by Asians.
Ø The Trans-Atlantic Ocean slave trade conducted by European merchants.
1. THE INDIAN OCEAN SLAVE TRADE
Main peoples involved: Arab traders, European merchants, African chiefs e.g. Mirambo and NyunguyaMawe, The Nyamwezi, The Kamba, The Yao, Buganda, Banyoro, Khartoumers.
The Nyamwezi: They were called Nyamwezi (people of the moon) because they came from the West direction in which the new moon is first seen. Their involvement in slave trade was partly caused by the demand for slaves in the interior. They dealt in ivory, copper, slaves and wax they wanted to acquire commodities like glass, spices, clothes, mirrors, guns in exchange for slaves.
The Role of chief Mirambo
Mirambo was born around 1830 AD and spent part of his life as a captive of the Tuta Ngoni in Bugoma. He organized a strong army of highly paid mercenaries (rugaruga) who were the basis of his power.
He established friendly relations with KabakaMutesa of Buganda with whom they trade in salt, slaves, iron implements grains and livestock. He acquired guns from Arab and Swahili traders and this helped him during his empire building process.
He controlled major trade routed in his territory by imposing taxes on traders passing through his area. Between 1860-1870, Mirambo carried out extensive conquests
Vinza and Tongwe and recruited some abled men for his army and sold others in slavery.
Unfortunately, when Mirambo died in 1884, his empire also collapsed because it lacked a military leader as powerful and courageous as him.
The Role of NyunguYamawe: The name NyunguYamawe was a praise name meaning “Pot of stones” Nyungu was a prince of the NyunguYembe ruling family but failed in 1865 after the Arabs had beheaded the Chief Mnwasele.
After the Arabs had beheaded the chief of Nyunguyamawe was terrified and ran away in 1865 and established himself at Kiwele south from where they systematically attacked and defeated the people of the regions.
His society was strategically located such that he controlled all trading activities along the routes. From the East African coast to Utipa, Tanganyika and other trading activities. This economic progress contributed to his political development.
He conquered people and those who tried to oppose him were punished severely and others sold off as slaves. Unlike Mirambo ‘s empire that collapsed immediately, Nyunguyamawe ‘s empire went on for many years after his death mainly because of economic organization and efficient political system he had created. Nyungu’s rulers took over the collection of ivory from the conquered clients and sent it to him at Kiwele. He formed a strong centralize administration with his own rulers (vatwale) placed over conquered chiefdoms directly responsible for him.
The role of Akamba: These lived in southern Kenya highlands. Their ancestors lived here as hunters and shifting agriculture when they grew rich, some Kamba communities bought slaves from the coast to do their farming. The YaoThe role of YaoThe Yao were the most active East African slave traders. This was mainly because of the growing demand for slaves at the coast and also the nature of the Yao society. It was the custom for ambitious Yao rulers to increase their power not just by capturing territories but also by raiding their neighbors for slaves who then became their personal followers.
The role of Buganda: These lived in the central region of Uganda. Their importance was significant in the commercial life of the region; they traded in Bark cloth, ivory and slaves. They were friendly to Arabs who supplied them with guns that they used to protect and expand their Kingdom.
The role of Khartoumers: These were Egyptians and Sudanese traders who dealt in ivory and slaves. They were semi-official representatives of the Egyptian government with several hundred armed men in their pay. Banyoro, Buganda and Bunyoro were enemies, kabakaMutesa I stopped slave traders from going to Bunyoro. However, they dealt in backcloth, slaves and salt.
REASONS FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE INDIAN OCEAN SLAVE TRADE
Ø The Oman Arabs who were ruling the East African coast at the time introduced clove plantations in Zanzibar and Pemba. These plantations required large numbers of labors to tend to them.
Ø There was also a high demand for slave labor for the French sugar plantations in Mauritius and Reunion Island. Initially, the French mostly depended on the area around present-day Mozambique for slaves, but by the 1770s the demand exceeded supply. Hence, the French came further north, to East Africa, in search of slaves.
Ø Slaves were needed as porters. They ferried goods such as ivory and gold from interior of Africa to the Coast. This was important for the ivory trade, especially to the American, Indian and British traders who took part in it.
Ø Portuguese slave traders supplied slaves to the Portuguese coffee and sugar plantations in Brazil. In the first half of the 18th century, the Portuguese expanded their plantations. As a result, their sources of slaves in West Africa and Mozambique became inadequate, so they came to East Africa.
Ø Slaves were in great demand as domestic workers and soldiers in the Muslims nation Arabia. The Quran forbids Muslims from enslaving other Muslims. Thus, the slaves had to come from non-Muslim regions such as the interior of East Africa. There were major slave markets in Zanzibar, Bagamoyo, Pemba, Kilwa, Mikindani and Mombasa.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SLAVE TRADE.
Ø There were the characteristics which prevailed during slave trade.
Ø There were several human torture and transits.
Ø Humiliation and dehumanization of the slaves.
Ø Slave were chained and forced to carry heavy loads like salt, ivory and copper.
Ø They were brutally whipped by their organizers.
Ø They were blended like animals. Those who were unfit were killed or left to die on the way.
COMMODITIES EXCHANGED
From interior to the coast –Ivory and slaves, animal skins, minerals.
From the coast to the interior caravans brought clothes, salts wine, glass ware beads and ornaments.
HOW SLAVES WERE OBTAINED (TECHNIQUES USED TO OBTAIN SLAVES)
Slaves were obtained through various ways:
(i) Through raiding village and capturing people.
(ii) Through selling prisoners of war obtained from local civil wars.
(iii) Through selling criminals.
(iv) Through selling of domestic slaves.
(v) Through ways of laying and ambush.
(vi) Through use of trickery and false pretense.
(vii) Through inter-tribal wars many Africans become destitute.
IMPACTS OF SLAVE TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN SEA BOARD.
SOCIAL EFFECTS
Ø Depopulation; many people were taken to work as slaves and others died on the way.
Ø Insecurity and fear among the people.
Ø Development of inter-states war.
Ø Human torture and suffering
Ø Hunger due to lack of good in areas where slave trade operated.
Ø Growth of Arab towns such as Tabora and Ujiji.
Ø Eruption of diseases among overcrowded slaves. E.g., The Spaniards introduced Syphilis.
Ø Displacement of people and many became homeless.
Ø Introduction of Swahili language, this was introduced in land and is now being widely spoken in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and eastern Congo.
Ø Introduction of Islamic religion, Islam as a religion was introduced by the Arabs and it spread, especially in Yao land and in Buganda land.
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
Ø Killing of economic activities, agriculture, pastoralism and industries were killed due to lack of manpower.
Ø Technology stagnation, no innovation was made as all able-bodied people were taken as slaves only children and old ones were left behind.
Ø Underdevelopment of East Africa, slave trade increased dependence on European capitalist countries. Generally, slave trade had negative effects in East Africa and it created many problems
Ø Introduction of new foods. E.g. maize, pawpaws, rice, and ground
Ø The increase of farming plantations, in some areas especially the clove plantations were slaves worked.
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SLAVERY ON ITS VICTIMS
Ø Damage of slave's self-worth.
Inferiority complex before their masters.
Ø Sufferings due to difficult work.
Ø Separation of families and homes.
Ø Loneliness.
Ø Stress due to unsure about their future, survival and food.
Ø Fear and Insecurity.
A TRADE ROUTE: is a logistical network identified as a series of pathways and stoppages used for the commercial transport of cargo
MAP OF EAST SHOWING TRADE ROUTES
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