Review of "War and Society in Africa: Ten Studies," edited by Bethwell A. Ogot

 Review of

War and Society in Africa: Ten Studies, edited by Bethwell A. Ogot ISBN 0714629219

Five out of five stars

Ten different wars with varying adversaries

 The wars described in these ten essays have various arrangements of types of adversaries. The time frame for all of them is the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Generally, before the end of World War I. There are descriptions of the incessant intertribal/clan wars before the Europeans took control, wars of varying degrees as the Europeans took control and a description of the war between Europeans known as the Boer War. 

 The papers were presented at a historical academic conference, so they are written in that style. It is significant to read about the ongoing wars between the various tribal units that took place and the aftermath and how the Europeans exploited tribal and religious differences. For example, the British recruited Arab Muslim mercenaries to fight against the people of animalistic religions. 

 One of the papers deals with the German drive to take control of Tanganyika in eastern Africa. The study of history in the United States generally focuses on the actions of the British and French and largely ignores the actions of the Germans. One of the best lines that sums up the colonial activity in general appears on page 149. “In the same way, most of the African peoples who now live in Kenya and Uganda gained admission into the British Empire without they themselves being aware of the fact.”

 This is a revealing set of short historical treatises regarding a subject that should be given more historical attention. The wars in Africa shortly before the Europeans took control and the military and economic tactics that they used to gain that control are significant and still have repercussions. Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in African history.