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| Imperialism |
Colonial Policy | [P|S|M] |
Reichstagsakten 1888/89, 7. Lp., Vol. 121, Attachment 41: Collection of Documents pertaining the Uprising in East Africa, No.19: Report from the Imperial consul general on Zanzibar
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Zanzibar, November 3rd 1888
arrived Berlin November 26th 1888
On the telegraphic directive of the 31st of the previous month I have the honour
to most obediently report the following to Your Excellency :
The most numerous population element of the colourful mixture of the Sultanate
of Zanzibar are the Suaheli which inhabit East Africa's coastal region between
Rovuma and Somaliland, and which are composed of many individual tribes. They
are a mixed race which emerged from the original population, interspersed with
Somalis, Gallas, Comorans, Arabs and the peoples of Africa's interior. Nominally
most Suaheli adhere to Islam, especially in the towns, but the knowledge of a
few Arab prayer formulas suffices for them, they are mostly indolent when it
comes to religion and they imitate the Arabs in public appearance, as they
regard the Arab as a noble man. Still today they have high respect for the Arab,
the latter is much higher regarded than the European, and his spiritual
superiority is generally recognized. Estimates as how many Arabs presently
reside in the Sultanate vary, I would like to regard the estimation of a
well-informed local merchant as accurate, that c. 2 - 3,000 Arabs dwell on the
island of Zanzibar and c. 10,000 in the entire Sultanate. Most of them originate
from Muscat and southern Arabia, they are all Muslims and at times capable of a
religious fanatism, while they seem to normally be tolerant and rather
disinterested. They own most real estate on the Sultanate's islands; they also
undertake agriculture in some coastal areas such as Pangani and Bagamoyo;
further they organize caravan trade and coastal shipping. Their wealth is
beginning to decline, since the Indian element has penetrated the region and, by
credits to the Arab merchants, has made them dependent. Still there are perhaps
few rich, but many prosperous Arabs, both on the islands and on the continent,
the number of whom has not been estimated. Their trade connections reach to the
Great Lakes region and into the Congo River region, and at several places they
have important settlements, such as Tabora, furthermore on the eastern bank of
Lake Nyassa. In the interior the Arabs generally are recognized as the master
race. On the coast, before the rise of the Seyyid of Zanzibar there was a number
of small, local dynasts, so at Gasi, Kilwa, Sudi, and some of them never
recognized the sovereignty of the Sultan here. (p.407)
Especially in the smaller coastal places there are sufficient Arab elements who
would join us if they would recognize that we plan to establish ourselves
permanently, so that they would not fall victim to the Seyyid's revenge later.
Because as the negro recognizes the Arab as superior, so does the Arab recognize
the European as superior. The coastal Arabs often are so far intertwined with
the negro population that they can no more be regarded as pure Arabs; they can
be found along the coast, as well as spersed into central Africa.
Next to the Arabs, and partially at their expense, the influence of the Indians
grows year by year. Most of them originate from the Cutch Peninsula, partially
Muslims, partially worshippers of the fire, partially worshippers of the cow.
Most wealthy are the Banians and Kodjas, the Arab merchants are indebted to
them, and by economic savvyness they manage to attract a large share of the
profit of the trade along the entire east coast. The great capitalists live here
in Zanzibar or in India, they operate their branch offices in the coastal
places, and the flexible Indian is the intermediary everywhere in trade and
traffic. Their number is estimated at c. 7,000 - 8,000 heads.
In general the Indian element has taken a positive attitude toward German
colonization efforts, because an improvement in administration and justice would
be to their advantage; but their interests are limited to the area of business.
Besides the British Indians, especially in Zanzibar town, there is a not
inconsiderable colony of Portuguese Indians, the so-called Goanese, they are
useful as petty merchants, laundrymen, stewarts, cooks etc. and are of no
importance.
signed Michahelles
His Excellency Prince von Bismarck
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Originaldokument [1]
[2]
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