In the late 19th century, as European powers carved up Africa during the Scramble for Africa, many African leaders rose to resist colonial oppression. One such hero was Mangi Meli of the Chagga people in present-day Tanzania. His courageous stand against German colonial forces and his tragic execution made him a symbol of resistance and resilience.
Born in 1866, Mangi Meli was the son of Mangi Rindi, a powerful ruler of the Chagga people in Moshi, Kilimanjaro (modern-day Tanzania). Upon his father’s death in 1891, Meli ascended to the throne after a bitter succession dispute that saw the poisoning of his rival, Kirita. Young, bold, and charismatic, Meli inherited a kingdom under increasing threat from German colonial forces, who had begun asserting control over the region.
Unlike his father, who had navigated diplomacy with the Europeans cautiously, Meli was more confrontational. He resented foreign domination and the meddling of rival chiefs, particularly Mangi Marealle of Marangu, who collaborated closely with the Germans to undermine Moshi’s sovereignty.
Meli’s resistance took many forms, each reflecting his unwavering commitment to independence. Unlike Mangi Marealle of Marangu, who collaborated with the Germans, Meli firmly rejected forced labor, land seizures, and puppet rule.
The Germans, under figures like Carl Peters and Hermann Wissmann, sought to consolidate their rule over Kilimanjaro by exploiting divisions among local leaders. Marealle, eager to expand his influence, fed the Germans false reports about Meli’s supposed rebelliousness.
Tensions exploded in 1892 when a German officer, Lt. von Bülow, marched on Moshi to punish Meli for alleged insubordination. In a bold ambush, Meli’s warriors killed von Bülow and several askaris (Africans serving in the armies of the European colonial powers), forcing the Germans into a temporary retreat. For 51 days, Kilimanjaro was free of German rule—a brief but symbolic victory for African resistance.
However, the Germans retaliated brutally. Under Colonel Friedrich von Schele, they launched a punitive expedition in August 1892, bombarding Meli’s fortified village with machine guns. After a fierce battle, Moshi fell, and Meli was forced into submission. The Germans imposed harsh penalties, including the confiscation of land and cattle, and forced labor to build their new administrative headquarters in Moshi.
Despite his defeat, Meli remained a thorn in the side of the colonizers, refusing to submit to indirect colonial control or serve as a mere tax collector for the occupiers. Marealle, still scheming, convinced the Germans that Meli was plotting a large-scale rebellion. In February 1900, under the command of Captain Kurt Johannes, the Germans summoned Meli and other Chagga leaders to Moshi under false pretenses.
After a sham trial, Meli and 19 other chiefs and noblemen were sentenced to death. On March 2, 1900, they were hanged from a tree in front of the German boma. Witnesses recounted that Meli faced his execution with courage, singing a song for his people before climbing the gallows himself.
The time has come to let
The calf go to its mother
The time has come
For the great man
Oh, for the great one
To return once more.
Mangi Meli’s execution sent shockwaves through Kilimanjaro. His people mourned deeply, with some refusing to farm or send their children to mission schools in protest, saying, “If they can kill our king, what will they do to our children?”. His death marked the end of an era of strong Chagga resistance, but his courage became a symbol of anti-colonial resistance.
In recent years, efforts have been made to repatriate Meli’s skull, which was taken to Germany as a colonial trophy. His story remains a powerful reminder of Africa’s struggle against oppression and the resilience of its leaders.
Today, Mangi Meli is celebrated as a martyr and hero in Tanzania. His legacy lives on in the collective memory of the Chagga people and all who honour the fight for freedom.
The tree where Meli was hanged still stands in Old Moshi, a silent witness to colonial brutality. Memorials now honor him and the other executed leaders, ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Sources:
Mangi Meli’s Grandchildren Continue the Search for His Skull
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/exhibit-brings-mangi-meli-of-old-moshi-back-to-life-1411106
