John Nkologo Chilembwe (June 1871 – 3 February 1915) was a Baptist pastor, educator, and revolutionary.
After studying in the United States, he returned to Nyasaland, modern-day Malawi in 1901. Chilembwe played a significant role in resisting colonialism, speaking out against the mistreatment of African workers on European-owned plantations and Africans’ lack of social and political progress under colonial rule.
During World War I, he led a failed armed uprising against the colonial government. Today, Chilembwe is celebrated as a national hero of independence, and Malawi observes John Chilembwe Day annually on 15 January.
The Early Life of Chilembwe
Although there is nothing known about John Chilembwe’s parents and birthplace, a 1914 American booklet claims that he was born in June 1871 in Sangano, Chiradzulu District, in what would later become Nyasaland (Malawi).
His mother was a Mang’anja slave who was seized in battle, according to some sources, and his father was a Yao.
Joseph Booth, a missionary renowned for his independent and radical beliefs, hired him as a house servant in 1892.
Booth founded the Zambezi Industrial Mission and other independent missions in Nyasaland after criticizing the Scottish Presbyterian missions’ insufficient engagement of Africans.
Chilembwe was exposed to Booth’s strong religious views and democratic values at home.
In 1897, Chilembwe accompanied Booth to the United States, where he met Reverend Lewis G. Gordon of the National Baptist Convention.
Chilembwe presumably studied African-American history at the Virginia Theological Seminary and College, which Gordon arranged for him to go.
With the backing of the National Baptist Convention and financial help from the Foreign Missions Board, he returned to Nyasaland in 1900 after finishing his studies.
After his return, Chilembwe, who had been influenced by people like Booker T. Washington, concentrated on advancing African self-respect, education, diligence, and personal accountability.
His activities were initially supported by white Protestant missionaries, but he had a less positive relationship with Catholic missions.
Chilembwe later established connections with local independent African churches, aiming to unite them with his own mission church.
While some of his congregation had previously been followers of the Watchtower movement, the extent of its influence on Chilembwe is debated.
Most authors downplay its impact, except for the Lindens. It is worth noting that the majority of those found guilty in the rebellion associated with Chilembwe were members of his church, but a few members of the Churches of Christ in Zomba were also implicated.
Chilembwe Return to Nyasaland & the Beginning of His Missionary Work
John Chilembwe founded the Providence Industrial Mission (P.I.M.) in the Chiradzulu district after arriving back in Nyasaland.
With financial assistance from the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., Chilembwe sought to improve the lot of his fellow Africans by working hard and taking care of himself.
His American patrons helped him establish schools that, by 1912, had more over 1,000 students enrolled, including 800 adults.
Initially, he concentrated on advancing Christian principles and African growth via education and self-reliance.
He openly denounced the situation of African land rights and working conditions in the Shire Highlands, however, as he grew more politically aggressive over time.
According to some reports, Chilembwe’s decision to start a violent uprising in 1915 may have been influenced by the Millenarianism he purported to preach. The evidence supporting his claims, however, is still unclear.
In Nyasaland, colonial resentments centered on European estates controlling a sizable amount of the best agricultural land, leaving local Africans with few options.
Many Africans moved to Crown Land or started working as migrant laborers as a result of the implementation of labor rentals.
These employees, known as “Anguru,” had to endure subpar working conditions on the estates in addition to a rise in the Hut tax.
The Magomero estate, which exploited migrant labor and forbade mission activity and schools, dominated the area where Chilembwe’s mission was situated.
Chilembwe became more and more enraged as he saw how the government and settlers refused to provide educated Africans opportunities and political representation.
He addressed William Jervis Livingstone, the estate manager, who had racist beliefs and forbade the building of African-led churches on the Magomero estate.
The mission in Chilembwe developed become a focal point for African protest and a forum for the complaints of African renters.
Prior to his passing, he struggled with debts, poor health, and other personal and financial issues.
These elements may have intensified his rage and sense of alienation, especially when coupled with his dedication to improving the lot of his people.
Background to the 1915 Chilembwe Uprising
According to the sources, Chilembwe’s resentment towards Europeans in Nyasaland grew after 1912 or 1913, and he began contemplating rebellion and seeking justice for his people.
However, it was the outbreak of the First World War that served as a catalyst, pushing him from thoughts to action.
In January 1915, a significant rebellion known as the Chilembwe uprising took place in Nyasaland, now known as Malawi, during British colonial rule.
The revolt originated in Mbombwe, where Chilembwe’s church was located, and drew support mainly from the emerging black middle class.
Forced labor, racial discrimination, and additional obligations placed on the indigenous population as a result of World War I were only a few of the complaints against the colonial system that sparked the uprising.
On the evening of January 23, 1915, Chilembwe-inspired rebels assaulted the A. L. Bruce Plantation’s headquarters in Magomero and killed three white people in the process.
Later that evening, a failed attack on a Blantyre gun shop happened. By the morning of January 24, the colonial government had organized a white settler militia and had sent out regular King’s African Rifles (KAR) armed forces.
The rebels went on to attack and destroy a Christian mission in Nguludi after a government force offensive on Mbombwe failed on January 25.
On January 26, the KAR and militia successfully took control of Mbombwe without encountering resistance.
Many rebels, including Chilembwe, fled towards Portuguese East Africa (modern-day Mozambique) in hopes of finding safety, but a significant number were captured.
In the aftermath of the uprising, approximately 40 rebels were executed, and 300 were imprisoned. Chilembwe himself was shot and killed by a police patrol near the border on February 3.
Although the rebellion did not achieve its immediate goals, it had a profound impact on the administration of Nyasaland under British rule.
The war significantly impacted the Nyasaland African population, with thousands serving in the King’s African Rifles and many others forced into porter roles.
The suffering and casualties inflicted by the war deepened Chilembwe’s determination to lead his people toward liberation.
In September 1914, when a German invasion took place in Nyasaland, Chilembwe wrote a passionate letter to the “Nyasaland Times” denouncing the war and its devastating effects on his fellow countrymen.
However, the letter was censored and not published, further fueling Chilembwe’s discontent and suspicion from colonial authorities.
The governor decided to deport Chilembwe and some of his followers, seeking assistance from the Mauritius government just days before the uprising commenced.
With the censorship of his letter acting as a trigger, he meticulously organized the rebellion, gathering educated Africans who shared his vision for independence.
Meetings were held in December 1914 and early January 1915, with the goal of overthrowing colonial rule and establishing an alternative if possible.
However, due to the accelerated timeline caused by the threat of deportation, coordination with the planned uprising in the Ntcheu District was disrupted, leading to its limited success.
The pacifist beliefs held by many Seventh Day Baptist and Watchtower followers in Ncheu District may have also contributed to the failure of the uprising there.
After Malawi gained independence in 1964, the uprising became celebrated as a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
John Chilembwe’s memory remains significant in the collective national consciousness and has been invoked by Malawian politicians in symbolism and rhetoric.
Today, the uprising is commemorated annually, and Chilembwe is widely regarded as a national hero.
Aftermath of the Uprising
Many of Chilembwe’s notable supporters and other participants in the failed revolt were put to death during summary trials that were held during martial law.
Since unlawful killings were carried out by European members of the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, the precise number of casualties is still unknown.
A Commission of Enquiry was created to look into the Chilembwe insurrection in June 1915. European plantation owners blamed the uprising on missionary efforts throughout the proceedings, while European missionaries underlined the alleged threats posed by independent African churches led by individuals like Chilembwe.
In their testimony, several African people complained about how estate workers were mistreated, but their complaints were mainly dismissed.
The official investigation sought to pinpoint the root causes of the revolt and blamed Chilembwe for fusing his political and religious beliefs.
The investigation also brought attention to the poor living conditions on the A. L. Bruce Estates and the overly strict rule W. J. Livingstone had put in place.
The A. L. Bruce Estates were subjected to forceful and illegal conditions, the panel said.
These included paying workers insufficient wages or in kind rather than cash, requiring excessive labor from tenants without the necessary documentation, and physically abusing and punishing both workers and residents.
When the commission was questioned in 1915, the testimony of laborers and tenants from Magomero verified these atrocities.
Alexander Livingstone Bruce, the resident director of the A. L. Bruce Estates, who had complete control over estate policies and believed that educated Africans had no place in colonial society, escaped any criticism while W. J. Livingstone was solely held accountable for the unsatisfactory conditions.
Also read: The Life of Dedan Kimathi, Leader of Mau Mau Rebellion
In colonial society, the prevailing belief that Europeans should rule over Africans as masters and servants was strongly instilled and mostly supported by landowners.
This concept may have been what Chilembwe sought to challenge through his educational initiatives and self-help programs, ultimately leading him to resort to violent action. However, alternative viewpoints exist regarding the motivations behind Chilembwe’s actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Chilembwe’s legacy as a Baptist pastor, educator, and revolutionary remains an integral part of Malawi’s history.
His courageous resistance against colonialism and advocacy for the rights of African workers left an indelible mark on the struggle for independence.
Despite the unsuccessful armed uprising during World War I, his unwavering commitment to social and political progress continues to inspire generations.
Today, Malawi honors his memory on John Chilembwe Day, reminding the nation of the importance of freedom, equality, and the pursuit of justice.
Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chilembwe
