The Role of Women in Maji Maji War from 1905 to 1907 in Matumbiland, Ngindo and Ngoniland War Zones, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper explored the role of women in Maji Maji war of 1905-1907, which was carried in Matumbi land/Ngindo areas, especially at Nandete village, Kibata village and Kilwa-Kipatimu in Lindi Region where the event started and in Ngoni land at Mahenge area, Old Igumbiro village, Kitanda village, Namabengo village, and Peramiho area in Ruvuma Region where the war ended.  A qualitative research design was employed through an in-depth interview method to gather specific information on the role of women in the Maji Maji war. Secondary sources were obtained from libraries and memorial museums and YouTube historical clips transcription as well as short film historical analysis were also used. Content analysis was used to explore and analyze the role assumed by women in the Maji Maji war. The study revealed that women in the Maji Maji war of 1905-1907 played a pivotal and nationalistic role through planning, organizing and dividing strategic war zones. Some women carried and distributed the Maji-Medicines to the Maji Maji fighters in the fighting camps. Moreover, women prepared and supplied food to the Maji Maji fighters which enabled them to prolong fighting with their rivals – Germans despite the poor weapons the natives were using. The researcher recommends that for Tanzania to strive and ensure fair and progressive society, women should not be left behind and neglected in the reconstruction of its objective historical knowledge. They should be effectively used in building the economy of the nation by being given positions in both government and non-government organizations.