Colonial Labour

The Concept of Colonial Labour

Explain the concept of colonial labour

Starting from the early 20^th century, colonial governments in Africa established colonial economies such as agriculture, industry, trade, mining etc. Due to those economic activities they needed more labour.

Why labour questions came up?

The following factors led to colonial labour questions in Africa:

1. Size of economic activities e.g. plantations demanded large supply of labour.
2. Locations of some economic activities e.g. mining centers were located in interior and remote parts hence had shortage of labour.
3. Some of the African societies had negative response to the colonial powers thus it was not easier to obtain labour.
4. Population size in some areas was less hence labour problem came up.

The Tactics Used to Create Colonial Labour

Analyse the tactics used to create colonial labour

In order to solve the problem of labour shortage in Africa colonial governments took the following measures:

1. Introduction of forced labour: Colonial governments used coercive force like army and police to force Africans to work in colonial economies. In Tanganyika 1944 about 12,00 labourers were forced to work on sisal plantations.
2. Europeans imported manufactured goods in Africa such as clothes, bicycles that were sold for cash, Africans were required to work to buy such products.
3. Colonial governments introduced tax in the form of cash thus Africans were required to work in colonial economies to earn money to pay tax.
4. Colonial governments registered Trade Unions with the aim of finding labourers e.g. SILABU (Sisal Labour Bureau) in Tanganyika and W.N.L.A. (Witwatersrand Native labour Association) in South Africa.
5. They introduced laws and ordinance e.g. the “Kipande” system in Kenya where Africans were required to have an identity card showing their place of occupation. In Tanganyika there was a Masters and Native Servants Act of 1906
6. Introduction of land alienation. In Kenya and Zimbabwe Africans were removed from fertile areas and had to work to earn money.
7. Colonial governments introduced rationalisation so some areas were special for labour production e.g. Kigoma, Rukwa and other areas were special for crop production.
8. They introduced colonial education to gain administrators for lower posts in Africa e.g. clerks and messengers which were used on colonial economies and other colonial offices.

The Types of Colonial Labour

analyse the types of colonial labour

Colonial labour force was divided into different types, namely migrant labour, forced labour, communal labour, family labour, contract labour, resident labour, indentured labour and feudal relation labour

The Impact of the Establishment of Colonial Labour to African Societies

Assess the impact of the establishment of colonial labour to African societies

Introduction of indigenous/ natural economy

• Pre- colonial economy - this economy was established in Africa before the coming of the colonialist (this economy involved Agriculture or crop production). During the 19^th century Europeans came to establish economic activities in Africa, activities such as mining, trade, agriculture, infrastructure to mentioned a few.
• In order to introduce these activities the colonialists used different mechanisms to break up natural economic activities in East Africa.
• Colonialists started with the destruction of African local industries, Africans were not allowed to work in their industries. Therefore, the local textile, iron-smelting industries in East Africa were destroyed. Examples of destroyed industries are the textile industries of Sukuma land, Buganda and Congo.
• In addition, the colonialists introduced cash crop production which disrupted food crop production. Colonialists aimed to gain raw materials from the indigenous people. Colonialism introduced land alienation, which led to the decline of indigenous natural economies like crop production.
• Colonialists also introduced forced labour to provide manpower for their economic activities, this resulted in the destruction of African economies like agriculture and industry.

They introduced the following:

1. Introduction of cash tax.
2. Introduction of cash (money) economy.
3. Introduction of laws and ordinance e.g. “Kipande” system in (Kenya) and Masters and Native Act 1906 (Tanganyika). Construction of infrastructure in East Africa (helped colonialists to obtain markets, labourers and raw materials while affecting Africans.

Effects of colonial economy to the Africans: Colonial economy in Africa had both positive and negative effects on the African people.

1. Africans inherited infrastructure from the colonial governments e.g. roads, railways, that were used for carrying goods and labourers.
2. After the independence of African countries nationalisation of plantations, buildings under the colonial governments started. Buildings, plantations and harbours were now under the African states.
3. It led to the introduction of new varieties of crops from outside e.g. varieties of cotton from America, and coffee.
4. Africans inherited European economic plans which continued to be used after independence e.g, the treatment of labourers.
5. Africans were impoverished due to exploitation by the colonial governments.
6. African technology declined due to the destruction of local industries.
7. Some areas that were known for producing labour were under developed due to rationalisation, e.g Kigoma in Tanganyika.
8. Africans inherited capitalist elements from their colonial masters in some areas like Kenya and Zimbabwe.
9. It led to Europeans taking natural resources from Africa e.g. minerals, raw materials through an unequal exchange.

Activity 5

NECTA 1998;

1. Discuss the mechanism, used by colonialists to break up the natural indigenous (wenyeji/ wazawa) economy of East African people.
2. Using concrete examples of any East African society show the pattern of the physical and social infrastructures were determined by the system of the colonial economy.
3. How did the colonial Government ensure constant supply of labour in their colonies in East Africa?

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