Skip to main content

State Organization

By
The Meaning of State Organisation
Explain the meaning of state organization

 STATES ORGANISATION TYPES OF STATES IN AFRICA          Each of the colonial African societies had a system of government that means each society had a set of rules, laws and traditions sometimes called customs that established part of a larger group. There were two dominant states emerged Africa and the varied more from one place to another;
1. Decentralized state(non-centralized) or stateless political societies
2. Centralized kingdoms and empires.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DECENTRALISED STATES
These emerged as a result of one powerful family to control other clan to dominance of wealth and political power.
Characteristics of decentralized states:
1. Most of them are small in terms of population and geographical areas.
2. Stateless political societies in Africa were usually made up of a group of either neighboring towns or villages that had no political connection with a larger kingdom as a nation.
3. They are characterized by politically autonomous villages. That is each village was politically separated and not connected to the neighboring village also no hereditary chiefs.
4. These were religious organization structures of kinship ties lineage groups and secret societies that provided regulations.
5. They did not have a system of chiefs, it showed position of chief was weak and was not hereditary.
6. Chiefs were usually selected by a group of elders and not based on their family connections.
7. Some decentralized societies did not have chiefs they were organized by a council of elders which comprised of many elderly people in the community. 
CENTRALISED KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES
These are large kingdoms or empires that developed in a complex system of government. These large empires governed by kings who had near absolute power such as Ancient Egypt in north Africa, Ghana, Mali and Songhai in West Africa, Zimbabwe(southern Africa), Bunyoro, Buganda, Karagwe, Ankole and Toro of East Africa. These kingdoms were similar to those empires in Asia and Europe that were in existence during the same time/period. MansaMusa of Mali and the Sunni Ally of Songhai had near absolute power and there were no separation of power. The political control such as executive, legislature and judicial functioning were centralized in the hands of the few people.Political societies refer to these societies as centralized.
   State formation in Africa
   Environmental factor
Location of a place e.g. in trading while some of the African States were near to the trading towns as they obtained tax and commodities.
Iron technology in Africa also helped in the development and rise of Africa states e.g. By Iron they made weapons like spears, Arrows, guns etc. weapons were useful on conquering small states eg. Buganda conquered Bunyaro-Kutoro, Nyankole.
Some states had good leadership and they were able to organise their states e.g. Shaka Zulu, Mirambo of Nyamwezi, Mkwawa of Hehe. Tunkumanin of Ghana, Sunsiata of Mali etc.
Men belonging to African societies were involved in long and short distance trade which led to:
  • Outbreak of wars and migration
  • Formal governments
Prime minister, council of elders, Provision chief, general commander and others like Abakungu, Abalangira.
Some states rose up due to the influence of the Islamic religion e.g. through the use of Jihad while states were turned into Islamic states. For instance in West Africa we see the Sokoto caliphate (under Uthman Dan fodio) who managed to conquer several states in the forest zone.
Some of African tribes had strong armies and had improved weapons for conquering other states. It is said that before the White man’s intrusion, Ghana had about 20,000 experienced soldiers and Mali had 10,000 soldiers.
CENTRALISED KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES
Some African societies were large empires governed by kings, who had near absolute power. For Example:
  1. North Africa – Egypt, Nubia, Axum in North East
  2. Ghana, Mali, Soghai and Kaneroi Burnu in Western
  3. Buganda, Karagwe, Ankole and Tero in East Africa
CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRALISED POLITICAL SYSTEMS
  1. Presence of a king or queen.
  2. The clan had to pay tribute to the monarchy
  3. Availability of enough food to feed the settled population
  4. The centralised authority was responsible for solving social disputes.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE STATE FORMATION.
  1. Iron technology
  2. Development of local industries
  3. Agriculture activities
  4. Good leadership
  5. Trade.
Fall of some states in Africa
  • Increase in size of states led to poor organisation and state management e.g. Ghana and other states.
  • Wars and conquest while some of the states were conquered by strong states e.g. In Mfecane war about 100 states were conquered by Zulu.
  • Slave trade in Africa also affected a lot of weak states while strong states managed to conquer small states e.g. Fulani in West Africa declined due to this.
  • The system of obtaining leaders through heritage did not lead to the development of states but the fall of states that were following this system.
  • The conflicts between Muslims and non-Muslims in some societies while non-Muslimsocieties being conjured by the Muslim societies.
  • Weak leaders in some societies failed to organise their states leding to their decline.
Example: Ancient Egypt
CLASSES IN THE EGYPTIAN STATE
  1. The ruling class- Consisted of the Pharaoh who was at the top followed by the nobility, priests, court officials and other officials- Followed by administrators of the people called the Vizier.
  2. The working class
  3. The peasants and slaves
Origins:According to archaeological evidence, the Egyptian state arose between 1500 and 500 BC. The evidence also show that by this time there were already villages of self sufficient producers who grew wheat, barley and kept animals. These producers formed permanent settlements as they increased in population.

REASONS FOR THE RISE OF THE EGYPTIAN STATE 
  1. The development of agriculture and pastoralism
  2. Specialization of labour
  3. The rise of Nemes who united the upper and the lower Egypt
  4. Development of local industries
  5. Taxation
  6. Strong Army
  7. Development of productive forces  
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia started as a small kingdom known as Axum, was founded near the red sea coast by a dynasty of Sabean from the other side of the Red Sea. The Ethiopia arose around 1000 BC
FACTORS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE ETHIOPIAN STATE
  1. Strong leadership
  2. Agriculture
  3. Unity among the people
  4. Growth of local industries
  5. Strong army
  6. Taxation
  7. Christianity
CLASSES IN ETHIOPIA
  1. Feudal Lords
  2. Peasants (tenants and serfs)
  3. Slaves.
Feudalism was consolidated by the introduction of Christianity during the 4th AD and King Ezana was the first to be converted. King Zangwe built 30 churches. A descendant of King Solomon and Queen Sheba.
Expansion done by 3 emperors (leaders):
  1. Zangwe Dynasty – 12th C – 13th C
  2. King Theodire – 19th C – 1855 – 1868
  3. Menelik II – 19th C – 1889 – 1913 Menelik II made Addis Ababa his Capital
THE KINGDOM OF NUBIA
Nubia lay in the area that cut across the borders of modern Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The Nubian State arose around 200 BC. It was called Kush and its capital was Napata. In 3rd C the capital shifted to Meroe.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE/GROWTH OF THE NUBIAN STATE
  1. Agricultural activities
  2. Trade
  3. Availability of valuable goods e.g. Gold and Ivory
  4. Development of local industries
DECLINE OF NUBIA
  1. Feudal lords were against the peasants
  2. Attacks by Muslims
  3. Disunity
WESTERN SUDANIC STATES
The early State in western Sudan was established in the region between the Sahara desert and the forest region of the South. The most important states are Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Kanem Bornu
GENERAL FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF WESTERN SUDANIC STATES
  1. Geographical location
  2. Iron technology
  3. The growth of population
  4. Development of local industries
  5. Taxation
  6. Trans - Saharan trade
  7. Availability of valuable goods e.g. gold
  8. Good centralised government
  9. Capable leaders
  10. Strong army
GHANA EMPIRE
During its rise Ghana had two main towns, one occupied by Muslims and the other by Pagans. The rulers and the people were Soninke speaking group. The word Ghana as the King title emerged in 5th AD. The capital center of administration was Koumbi Saleh.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF THE GHANIAN EMPIRE
  1. Agricultural activities
  2. Availability of valuable goods e. g gold
  3. Trans – Saharan trade in gold and salt
  4. Good leadership and efficient system of government.
  5. Common language.
FACTORS FOR THE DECLINE OF GHANA EMPIRE
  1. Almoravids constant attacks
  2. Disunity among people
  3. Jihad wars
  4. Lack of stable system of royal successions
  5. The rise of rural kingdoms e.g. Mali
MALI EMPIRE
Early in the 3rd C Ghana fell apart as a result of the war between Samangwa the king of Ghana and Prince Sundiata Keita the king of Kagaba. Ghana was defeated and Ghana fell under Sundiata’s rulership. Sundiata formed a large kingdom known as Mali the capital was Niani and the title of the ruler was Mansa.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF THE MALI
  1. The fall of Ghanaian empire
  2. Control of gold fields of Bure
  3. Strong army
  4. Agricultural activities
  5. Trans – Saharan trade
  6. Strong leadership of Sundiata Keita and later Mauna Kan Kan Musa
  7. Islamic faith which promoted libraries and Islamic universities.
DECLINE OF THE MALI EMPIRE
  1. Weak leadership after the death of Mansa Mahmud IV
  2. Empire became too large to control
  3. Lack of unity and the empire was divided into three spheres of influence and they foughtagainst each other.
  4. Attacks by Tuaregs
  5. Civil wars
  6. The rise of Songhai empire
SONGHAI EMPIRE
In the late 15th Century the Songhai empire originally the Gao, conquered neighbouring states under the leadership of Sunni Ali and formed the large empire of Songhai. Gao became its capital at around the 11th C and remained the capital under the empire. Its famous leaders were Sunni Alli, Askia Mohamed and Askia Daud.
FACTORS FOR THE GROWTH OF SONGHAI EMPIRE
  1. Agriculture activities
  2. Strong army
  3. Trans – Sahara trade
  4. Good administration
  5. Taxation
  6. Islamic faith
DECLINE OF THE SONGHAI EMPIRE
  1. Weak leadership after the death of Askia Daud
  2. The Moroccan invasion
  3. The empire was too large to control
  4. Religious hostility between Islamic and traditional beliefs
  5. The shift in orientation of trade towards the Atlantic
FOREST STATES
THE BENIN EMPIRE
Benin empire was a very small state made up of the Edo speaking people. The highest authority at the time were chiefs known as Ogiso which meant the ‘Kings of the Sky’ and the administrative centre was Ubinu. Between 1388 – 1431 there was a series of civil wars which divided the Edo. After the death of the last Ogiso, his son Prince Ekaladerhan left for exile and established himself in Ile-Ife, so when the Edo people requested his return, he sent his son, Prince Oranmiyan who took up the throne.
EXPANSION INTO CITY-STATE EMPIRE
By 15th C the empire expanded into a city-state under the leadership of Oba Ewuare the Great
REASONS FOR THE RISE OF THE BENIN EMPIRE
  1. Some of capable rulers the greatest of whom was Ewuare
  2. Good centralized system of Government
  3. Trade
  4. Unity
  5. Development of Handicraft Industry
DECLINE OF THE BENIN EMPIRE
  • Introduction of slave trade
  • Trans- Atlantic trade
  • Firearms introduced through European trade caused tribal wars that led to the finaldecline of the Benin Empire.
THE EMPIRE OF OYO
Oyo empire began in the late 14th C or early 15th C likely 1388 – 1431. The people of Oyo were Oranmiyan, their capital was Oyo-Ile and the King of Oyo was called Alaafin. The Bashoran was the leader of the army.
REASONS FOR THE RISE OF THE OYO EMPIRE
  1. It had organised political system headed by a number of great Alafins
  2. Strong organised army
  3. Agricultural activities
  4. Development of local industries
  5. Slave trade
  6. Dahomey tributary
DECLINE OF THE OYO EMPIRE
  1. Conflict between Alafin and Basharon
  2. Conquest from the Fulani and Dahomey
  3. Civil wars and disunity
DAHOMEY EMPIRE
Dahomey rose after the decline of Oyo in the 19thC. it was founded by the Fon people. It had good leaders such as King Agaja and Houegbadja who built the Royal Palaces of Abomey.
THE RISE OF THE DAHOMEY EMPIRE IN THE 18th C
  1. Growth of centralised and powerful monarchy
  2. Boyul succession system was effective
  3. Strong army
  4. Good leadership of King Gezo and later Aguja
  5. Control of slave trade
DECLINE OF DAHOMEY
Dahomey declined after the arrival of the French.
ASANTE EMPIRE
Asante or Ashanti empire was found as a result of emergence of several cities in the region of Kumasi. The people of Asante were Akan ruled by the Oyuko clan. The King was Obiri Yeboa who was Osei Tutu. The capital city of Asante or Ashanti was Kumasi. The symbol of Asante union was a Golden stool. The ruler of Asante was known as Asantehene.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF ASANTE
  1. Agricultural activities
  2. Development of local industries
  3. Some of its capable rulers e.g. Osei Tutu
  4. Well organised political system
  5. Trade
DECLINE - The state declined after the arrival of Europeans.
CENTRALISED STATES OF CENTRAL AFRICA
Example: Onya empire, it was founded in the 14th C. The head of the kingdom took the title of Munikongo or Mwekongo means lord of Kongo. The capital was Mbaza which the Portuguese later baptised Sutrador.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF KONGO EMPIRE
  1. Technological development e.g. Iron technology
  2. Trade
  3. Taxation
  4. Development of local industries
  5. Emergence of traditional leaders with a strong belief in spiritual and magic power
DECLINE OF THE CONGO EMPIRE
  • The arrival of the Portuguese
  • Slave trade
  • Weak leadership after Manikongo Mingo Mkuwa who acquired up an Embassy inPortugal. His son Mzingo Mbemba was baptized as Dan Alfonce. He was a puppet of thePortuguese and caused civil war in Kongo.
MWENEMUTAPA KINGDOM
This Kingdom was created under the leadership of Mutola. Mutola conquered Tongu and Torura of the Zambezi valley. He acquired the title of Mwenemutapa which means ‘Master of conquered lands’. He was a political, military and religious leader. Mutola died in 1450 and his son Matope inherited, after Matope’s death in 1480 Changamire took over in 1490.
REASONS FOR THE RISE OF MWENEMUTAPA
  1. Agriculture activities
  2. Good leadership of Mutola
  3. Availability of valuable goods e.g. copper, iron and gold
  4. They controlled trade routes
  5. Trading centres
REASONS FOR THE DECLINE OF MWENEMUTAPA
  1. The arrival of Portuguese who monopolized the gold trade
  2. The kingdom became divided into two parts Mutapa and Ruzwi
  3. Rebellion from local people
After the death of Matope, his son Nyahuma took over. He was younger than the other chief who wanted power so that chief rebelled and caused civil war.
THE LUBA STATE
This state is found between the tributaries of river Kongo. The Songiye people migrated from Katanga led by a leader from the Kangolo clan. The united Kaniok and from Luba kingdom, Ilungambila married into the Kangolo clan. This intermarriage gave rise to the Luba lineage of Kalala Ilunga, the founder of Munza as capital of Luba.
REASONS FOR THE RISE OF THE LUBA STATE
  1. Centralised system of administration where the kingdom had final say in wars and external trade
  2. The development of trade
  3. Agricultural activities
  4. The presence of iron technology
THE LUNDA STATE
The centre of the empire lay in the valley of Nkala river. The Luba kings took the title of Mwanta. It began as a simple village and their first ruler was called Mwantagaand. Ilunga Tshibinda who came from Luba married a princess from the area and their son became the first paramount ruler of the Lunda State.
FACTORS FOR THE RISE OF LUNDA STATE
  1. Iron technology
  2. Development of local industries
  3. Agriculture activities
  4. Good leadership
  5. Trade.
The empire declined after the arrival of Europeans

Comments

Post a Comment