First Matabele War

Quick Facts: Who was First Matabele War?

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First Matabele War

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The 1893–1894 conflict between British settlers and the Ndebele Kingdom.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The First Matabele War was fought between 1893 and 1894 in modern-day Zimbabwe. It pitted the British South Africa Company against the Ndebele kingdom of Mthwakazi. Lobengula, king of Mthwakazi, had tried to avoid outright war with the company's pioneers because he and his advisors were mindful of the destructive power of European-produced weapons on traditional Matabele impis (units of warriors) attacking in massed ranks. Lobengula reportedly could muster 80,000 spearmen and 20,000 riflemen, armed with Martini-Henry rifles, which were modern arms at that time. However, poor training may have resulted in the weapons not being used effectively.

Career & Major Achievements

The British South Africa Company had no more than 750 troops in the British South Africa Company's Police, with an undetermined number of possible colonial volunteers and an additional 700 Tswana (Bechuana) allies. Cecil Rhodes, who was Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, and Leander Starr Jameson, the Administrator of Mashonaland, also tried to avoid war to prevent loss of confidence in the future of the territory. Matters came to a head when Lobengula approved a raid to forcibly extract tribute from a Mashona chief in the district of the town of Fort Victoria, which inevitably led to a clash with the company. The British government agreed that the British South Africa Company would administer the territory stretching from the Limpopo to the Zambezi under royal charter. Queen Victoria signed the charter in 1889.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Cecil Rhodes used this document in 1890 to justify sending the Pioneer Column, a group of settlers protected by well-armed British South Africa Company's Police (BSAP) and guided by the big game hunter Frederick Selous, through Matabeleland and into Shona territory to establish Fort Salisbury (now Harare). Throughout 1891 and 1892, Lobengula ensured that his raiding parties were directed away from their main target areas of Mashonaland and so precluded possible clashes between his zealous young commanders and the white settlers. However, in 1893, a chief in the Victoria district named Gomara refused tribute, asserting that he was now under the protection of the laws of the settlers. In order to save face, Lobengula was impelled to send a raiding party of several thousand warriors to bring his vassal to heel. The raiding party destroyed several villages and murdered many of the inhabitants.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1889: 1889 Milestone — Queen Victoria signed the charter in 1889.
2. 1890: 1890 Milestone — Cecil Rhodes used this document in 1890 to justify sending the Pioneer Column, a group of settlers protected by well-armed British South Africa Company's Police (BSAP) and guided by the big game hunter Frederick Selous, through Matabeleland and into Shona territory to establish Fort Salisbury (now Harare).
3. 1891: 1891 Milestone — Throughout 1891 and 1892, Lobengula ensured that his raiding parties were directed away from their main target areas of Mashonaland and so precluded possible clashes between his zealous young commanders and the white settlers.
4. 1893: 1893 Milestone — The First Matabele War was fought between 1893 and 1894 in modern-day Zimbabwe.

Notable Quotes by First Matabele War

“If you shed one drop of the white man's blood on this raid into Mashonaland, I will have every one of you killed when you return”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: First Matabele War

True or False: “The Ndebele forces were completely unprepared for the firepower of the Maxim machine guns.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While poor training was noted, the Matabele troops were described as being well-drilled and formidable by pre-colonial African standards.

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• Agatha Christie — Historical peer (Born in 1890) (1890): The 'Queen of Crime,' a master of the mystery genre, best-selling author of all time.
• A. P. Elkin — Historical peer (Born in 1891) (1891): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
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Frequently Asked Questions about First Matabele War