The Askari were a group of indigenous soldiers who served in European colonial armies in Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These soldiers were initially formed to serve as colonial troops in East Africa, but their service extended to other parts of Africa. This article will explore the history, role, and legacy of the Askari.
History of the Askari
The Askari were initially formed in the late 19th century as part of the East African Rifles, a military unit established to protect the British East Africa Company’s territories.
The East African Rifles consisted mainly of Indian soldiers and British officers, but as the British expanded their territories, they found it difficult to recruit enough troops from India to maintain their control over the new territories. Therefore, the British began to recruit African soldiers to serve alongside the Indian troops.
The first Askari were recruited from the Nyamwezi people in what is now Tanzania. The Nyamwezi were known for their military prowess and were considered a valuable addition to the British colonial forces.
The Askari quickly proved themselves to be skilled soldiers and were employed in a variety of roles, including as scouts, guards, and soldiers in combat.
Role of the Askari
The Askari played a crucial role in European colonial armies in Africa. They were initially employed to help maintain colonial control over new territories, but they also served in a variety of other roles.
Askari soldiers were often used as shock troops in battles and were highly valued for their bravery and fighting skills. They were also used as scouts and guides, helping colonial armies navigate unfamiliar terrain.
The Askari were trained and equipped by their European colonial masters, who provided them with uniforms, weapons, and other equipment.
The Askari were also paid for their service, although their pay was typically lower than that of European soldiers.
Legacy of the Askari
The legacy of the Askari is complex. On the one hand, they were instrumental in helping European colonial powers maintain their control over African territories.
On the other hand, the Askari were also instrumental in the resistance against colonial rule. Many Askari soldiers eventually became leaders in nationalist movements and fought for independence from colonial powers.
The Askari also left a lasting cultural legacy. The word “Askari” is still used today in many parts of Africa to refer to soldiers, and the military traditions and tactics of the Askari continue to influence modern African militaries.
The Askari were a group of indigenous soldiers who served in European colonial armies in Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
They played a crucial role in maintaining colonial control over African territories, but they also helped to shape the resistance against colonial rule. The legacy of the Askari is complex, but their influence on African military traditions and culture can still be felt today.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers vied for control over Africa, leading to numerous wars and conflicts.
In order to maintain control over their colonies, these powers began to recruit local men to serve as soldiers in their armies. These soldiers were known as askaris, and they were used to fight against both local resistance movements and other European powers.
The term “askari” is derived from the Arabic word for soldier and was used primarily by the Germans and British to describe the troops they recruited in their colonies. Askaris were typically known for their bravery, brutality, and loyalty, and they played a significant role in maintaining European control over their colonies.
The German askaris, also known as the Schutztruppe, were primarily recruited from present-day Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
They were used in the Scramble for Africa, the Herero and Namaqua genocide, the suppression of the Maji Maji Rebellion, and other conflicts.
The British askaris, also known as the King’s African Rifles, were recruited from present-day Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan. They were used in the East Africa Campaign of World War I, the East African Campaign of World War II, and other conflicts.
The French askaris, known as the Tirailleurs, were recruited from present-day Algeria, Tunisia, and Senegal. They were used in the Pacification of Algeria and other conflicts. The Belgian askaris, also known as the Force Publique, were recruited from present-day Congo.
They were an exceptionally brutal army, and one of their primary missions was to enforce rubber quotas and other forms of forced labor. They were also used in other conflicts. In the 1890s, the Force Publique defeated African and Arab slavers in the course of the Congo-Arab War, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties.
Serving as an askari brought with it not only decent pay but also certain privileges. However, despite the pay and privileges from their European colonizers, the askaris were kept as separate units within the colonial powers’ military forces.
They were also equipped with outdated weapons and wore simpler uniforms, and often received limited training. Furthermore, they were disproportionately placed in dangerous front-line positions, resulting in a high number of casualties among the askari troops.
This treatment reflected the limited value placed on their lives by their European masters.
The use of askaris as front-line troops was a cost-effective strategy for European colonial powers. They were able to recruit and train large numbers of local men at relatively low cost and maintain control over their colonies with a smaller number of European soldiers.
After World War II, the askaris who had also been recruited to fight against Hitler and his allies were demobilized and returned to their homes.
In some cases, they were given small pensions or land grants, but in most cases, they received little or nothing. After independence, many African countries incorporated their askari units into their newly formed military, and the term askari disappeared from the official vocabulary.
The legacy of the askaris is complex. On the one hand, they played a crucial role in maintaining European colonial power in Africa.
On the other hand, they were often treated as second-class citizens and disposable by their European masters. The askaris’ role in maintaining colonialism has also been criticized by many as a form of collaboration with the oppressors.
Despite these criticisms, the askaris remain an important part of African history and their legacy continues to be debated and examined.
