Bukusu Resistance Against British Rule
🔥 Reasons for Bukusu Resistance
- They wanted to safeguard their independence and culture (especially circumcision traditions) ✊
- Opposition to recognizing Nabongo Mumia as overall leader of Abaluhyia 👑
- Resentment of forced tax payments to the British 💰
- British demand in 1894 that Bukusu warriors surrender their guns 🔫
- British invasion occurred when Bukusu were at peak military power ⚔️
⚔️ Course of the Resistance
The resistance began when Bukusu warriors ambushed a trade caravan heading to Ravine, stealing all rifles. When they refused to surrender guns in 1894:
- British sent punitive expedition – defeated by Bukusu 🛡️
- British administrator Charles Hobley requested reinforcements from Uganda 🏴
- 1895: Decisive battles at Lumboka and Chetambe – Bukusu defeated 💥
🛡️ Resistance Methods
1. Direct Warfare: Fought British troops at Lumboka and Chetambe ⚔️
2. Ambushes: Attacked trader caravans moving through Bukusuland 🚛
3. Political Resistance: Murdered Wanga agent Hamisi sent to administer area ✊
💔 Effects of the Resistance
- Massive land alienation (loss of Bukusu territory) 🗺️
- Loss of independence – declared British East Africa Protectorate 🏴
- Heavy casualties on both sides 💀
- Economic disruption – loss of cattle and sheep �
- Women and children taken prisoner by British ⛓️
Somali Resistance Against British Rule
🔥 Causes of Somali Resistance
- Opposition to division of Somaliland between Britain and Italy 🇸🇴
- Resentment of British punitive expeditions ⚔️
- Muslim Somalis opposed Christian British rule ☪️✝️
- British interference with traditional raiding activities 🏹
- British control of pastureland and watering points 🌱💧
- Attempts to stop nomadic lifestyle �
⚔️ Course of the Resistance
Initial British reluctance to respond to 1898 Somali attacks due to:
- High cost of military operation 💰
- Difficulty suppressing nomadic people 🏜️
- Limited economic value of territory 📉
1900: British sub-commissioner Jenner murdered → Indian regiments dispatched 💂♂️
1905: Renewed uprising after Somali acquired firearms 🔫
Conflict continued until 1925 when Jubaland transferred to Italian Somaliland 🇮🇹
💔 Results of the Resistance
Casualties: Many Somalis killed, including Commissioner Jenner 💀
Division: Darod and Hawiye clans separated by 1914 boundary changes 🗺️
Economic Impact: Somali cattle confiscated 🐄
Political Change: Lost independence through protectorate status 🏴
Delayed Colonization: Resistance slowed European control ⏳
Boundary Adjustment: Ogaden placed under Italian Somaliland 🇮🇹