Unite the anti-colonialism fight: Nduna Mkomanile

DW (English)

Nduna Mkomanile sought to unite East African communities against German colonialism during the Maji Maji war in the early 20th century. She's now regarded as one of Tanzania's most important female freedom fighters.

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00:00Nduna Nkomanile was a freedom fighter from Kitanda in southwest Tanzania.

00:05After 1885, Germany ruled their so-called German East Africa colony with tremendous violence.

00:11The colonizers forced locals to grow cash crops and pay harsh taxes.

00:16Resistance grew in all parts of the colony.

00:20Finally, 20 ethnic groups united against the Germans in 1905.

00:25They were armed with maji, a magical potion served to turn the bullets of the colonizers into water.

00:31It gave them the courage to face the well-armed Germans.

00:35Among them were also women.

00:37Nduna Nkomanile unified the Ngoni group to resist.

00:40The name Nkomanile means the one who was fought for.

00:43Between 1905 and 1907, an estimated 300,000 Tanzanians died during the conflict.

00:49Aside from military action, thousands died of starvation

00:53since German forces burned villages and crops as part of their so-called Scorched Earth Strategy.

00:59This action destroyed livelihoods for generations beyond the Maji-Maji War.

01:04Nduna Nkomanile was hanged in Zongeia by German authorities along with other leaders.

01:09She was the only female leader on record to be publicly hanged.

01:13The executions aimed to spread fear among the remaining families and discourage resistance to colonialism.

01:19Today, Nduna Nkomanile is recognized as a Tanzanian freedom fighter and an icon of female resistance.

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