Colonial Dependence and African Opportunity: The Indigenous Response to War Exigencies

Abstract

Early African response to war labour demands greatly varied and was by no means wholly negative. Initially, many actually volunteered for war service. The relatively high wage scale provided a clear incentive to enlistment not merely as a means of meeting colonial tribute obligations such as poll tax, but as a means of purchasing ‘luxury’ goods with the surplus cash.¹ Thus, one Ngoni remembered the response of some men in his village: ‘They were happy because they were going to work and were going to be paid.’² Such financial incentives even attracted a few mission teachers. At St Paul’s Anglican Church, Fort Jameson, one missionary scribbled in his log book: ‘Fined a teacher, no school, earning money as tenga-tenga.’³ Furthermore, until the May 1916 offensive, carrying distances remained relatively short and were conducted along established routes in conditions akin to peacetime carrier work. During early wartime, therefore, Company officials were surprised by the enthusiastic response to labour calls in some areas. At Abercorn, an official noted the keen response to early war carrier work⁴ and likewise at Mporokoso.⁵