# Kiva Rebellion of 1869

The Kiva Rebellion, which took place in 1869, was a significant uprising led by the Bondei people against the oppressive rule of the Kilindi dynasty within the Shambaa kingdom. The rebellion was fueled by longstanding grievances related to exploitation, forced marriages, and violence against the Bondei, who felt marginalized under the Kilindi's authority.

## Causes of the rebellion

The Bondei were subjected to harsh treatment by the Kilindi, which included the capture of their children for sale, arbitrary killings, and exploitation of their resources. The growing discontent among the Bondei and other marginalized groups set the stage for rebellion. The uprising was spearheaded by Chanyeghea, who sought to unite the Bondei and other disaffected groups against the Kilindi. His leadership was instrumental in rallying support for the rebellion, which aimed to restore the rights and autonomy of the Bondei.

## The rebellion

Chanyeghea and his supporters planned the rebellion carefully, intending to confront the Kilindi chiefs and demand redress for their grievances. The rebellion was symbolically marked by the tying of knots in banana fiber, which represented the countdown to their uprising. As the rebellion unfolded, violence erupted, with Bondei forces attacking the Kilindi and their supporters. However, the initial plan began to unravel due to infighting and reluctance among some groups to fully commit to the uprising. This chaos led to widespread acts of vengeance and plundering, transforming the rebellion into a violent struggle rather than a coordinated effort for reform.
The Kiva rebellion featured a complex political conspiracy orchestrated by Chanyeghea, who coordinated activities between three key factions: the Wakiva people, Bondei rebel forces, and Mwaiko, a prominent figure who served as Wali of Fort Tongwe while maintaining his status as a slave to Sultan Majid of Zanzibar. From his strategic position at Fort Tongwe, a significant coastal settlement under Zanzibari control, Mwaiko facilitated arms shipments to the Wakiva and simultaneously profited from the expanding slave trade operations. His involvement extended to orchestrating a plot against the Bondei Kilindi leadership.
The strategy devised was characterized by its calculated simplicity: the Bondei population would feign acceptance of their traditional rulers' return before executing a coordinated assassination. In diplomatic negotiations, Mwaiko presented himself as an emissary of Zanzibar's interests, conveying to the Kilindi leadership that Sultan Majid advocated for the restoration of monarchical governance. The proposal included assurances of reformed leadership practices that would address historical grievances regarding Kilindi rule.
The Kilindi leadership accepted these terms, leading to their reinstatement in their ancestral territories. The subsequent period was marked by superficial stability, characterized by the return of royal households and the reestablishment of court functions. This apparent peace, however, masked the underlying tensions and imminent conflict.
Prior to the onset of rebellion, the plan to overthrow their Kilindi rulers, the slaves of Tumba, began to unravel. The Tumba slaves, who were initially poised to participate in the uprising, refused to kill them. In response, Mwaiko determined that immediate action was necessary to prevent the collapse of their strategy. This decision precipitated several days of chaotic violence, during which subjects would suddenly attack Tumba with machetes. Many Kilindi were killed or injured, while their children were abducted and sold into slavery. Long-standing grievances were avenged amidst the turmoil, prompting the surviving Kilindi, including the slaves of Tumba, to flee to Mazinde.
Following the restoration of governance to the Bondei leaders, Kiva mobilized forces to advance into East Usambara and Shambaai with the intent of dismantling the Shambaa kingdom. A significant offensive occurred across the Luengera Valley, particularly through Bumbuli, where Bondei forces urged a widespread revolt against the Shambaa chiefs. They sought to uncover the location of the Shambaa chief to facilitate his elimination and liberate the kingdom.
However, as the Bondei forces advanced deeper into Shambaa territory, support dwindled. Betrayals primarily came from those Shambaa individuals not connected to the Kilindi through marriage. Many Kilindi residents in the Bumbuli region were compelled to flee, and chief Shekinyashi of Mlola was killed by Kiva's forces.
Ultimately, as Kiva's troops reached Dindia, north of Mlungui, Semboja garnered reinforcements from Taita. Alongside the Kilindi from occupied regions, they successfully pushed the Bondei forces back from Dindia to Mpaau, and subsequently to Shembekeza, a vantage point overlooking the Luengera Valley. When it became apparent that Shembekeza lacked sufficient water resources to sustain a besieged garrison, the Bondei forces retreated across the valley.
Chanyeghea fortified the town of Mghambo, strategically positioned to oversee the valley from the east. Following the defeat of Kiva, Shambaa entered a chaotic period known as the time of Pato, which translates to "rapacity." This era was characterized by rampant greed and a culture of exploitation, where individuals engaged in the capture and enslavement of others for survival.
Ironically, the Bondei's uprising, initially aimed at ending their exploitation, resulted in intensified practices of slaving. During this tumultuous time, chiefs sold commoners and stronger neighboring factions took advantage of weaker ones. Chanyeghea, lacking personal wealth, financed his military efforts primarily through the sale of enslaved individuals.

## Aftermath

The Bondei forces, led by Chanyeghea, initially managed to push into the territory of the Kilindi. However, as the rebellion progressed, they faced diminishing support and increasing resistance. The Kilindi, under the leadership of Semboja, received reinforcements from neighboring regions, which ultimately led to the Bondei's military retreat. By the time the Bondei reached critical positions like Dindia and Shembekeza, they were outmatched by the combined forces of Semboja and the Kilindi, leading to their withdrawal from contested areas.

### Time of Pato

During the period known as Pato in the 1870s, the practice of slave trading became widespread among individuals of strength. Reports from this time indicate that it was common for people to seize others, particularly those less physically capable, for the purpose of selling them into slavery.
Pangani emerged as a significant center for the slave trade, with thousands of captives being sold. John Kirk, the British Consul at Zanzibar, noted in 1873 that the valleys between the Ushambala hills and the highlands, once populated by industrious communities of the ancient kingdom of Kimwere, had succumbed to conflict. Tribal warfare led to the capture and sale of many individuals, transforming Pangani from an importer of slaves to a major export hub.
The violence of Pato resulted in substantial demographic shifts, as people sought refuge from the chaos. The Luengera Valley, previously inhabited, saw its last residents depart during this period, leaving the area unoccupied throughout the 1870s. Meanwhile, many Mbugu, facing threats from the aggressive Semboja, migrated eastward to the more secure region of Eondei. Settlements like Magila, distant from active conflict zones, experienced population growth.
Ultimately, the turmoil of Pato led to a stabilization of both the demographic landscape and the political situation. The chiefs of Shambaai opted for a decentralized governance model, rejecting Vugha's authority in favor of selecting Semboja's son, Kimweri Maguvu, as the new king of Shambaai.
The Kiva Rebellion ultimately contributed to a significant shift in the political landscape of the Shambaa kingdom. The failure of the rebellion and the subsequent time of Pato weakened the traditional centralized authority of the Kilindi chiefs. In the aftermath, the Bondei distanced themselves from Kilindi rule and returned to a system of governance led by village elders, reflecting a move towards decentralization. The Shambaa kingdom fragmented into smaller, more autonomous units, reducing the power of the central authority.

## Legacy

The rebellion and its aftermath significantly altered the political structure of the Shambaa kingdom. The fragmentation of power led to the selection of new leaders and the establishment of smaller kingdoms, such as the independent kingdom of East Usambara led by the Bondei. The shift from a centralized system to one characterized by local governance represented a significant political transformation. The Bondei, having freed themselves from Kilindi rule, began to operate independently, establishing their own local political structures.
The Kiva Rebellion is remembered as a crucial moment in the history of the Shambaa kingdom, highlighting the struggles of marginalized groups against oppressive rule. It underscored the complexities of power dynamics within the kingdom and the potential for collective action among disaffected populations.