Chapter 87: Northwest Rebellion
The Karawi Kingdom was facing a difficult situation due to an influx of Eastern Bantu tribes and refugees from the east. This massive migration had a detrimental impact on the law and order within the kingdom.
The Karawi Kingdom, originally a slave state, had limited organizational capabilities and lacked strict laws and systems. In contrast, the Eastern Bantu tribes were skilled hunters with excellent physical fitness.
This influx of Eastern Bantu tribes into Karawi was akin to the ancient Roman experience of facing the Germanic barbarian invasion. The tribes, led by their chiefs, engaged in acts of violence, arson, and plunder, establishing their dominance in the region's mountains.
The eastern part of Karawi had descended into chaos as a result of this invasion. The nobles of the Karawi Kingdom were baffled by the sudden aggression of these barbarian tribes.
Additionally, the neighboring Kingdom of Burundi was also struggling due to the "purge" movement initiated by the East African colonies. Both Karawi and Burundi, being the two gateway countries to the eight northwest nations, bore the brunt of this crisis.
The invasion of Eastern Bantu tribes caused significant turmoil in both Karawi and Burundi. Compounding their problems were neighboring countries like Rwanda and Buganda, which sought to take advantage of their misfortunes and frequently provoked conflicts along the borders.
In response, Karawi and Burundi adopted a strategy of driving the Eastern Bantu tribes west and north, effectively pushing them into other neighboring territories. However, resistance from these tribes made it challenging to maintain control.
The Eastern Bantu tribes, living off hunting, had a nomadic lifestyle and were not united under a single leadership. This made it difficult for them to mount a concerted effort against Karawi and Burundi.
The Karawi and Burundi governments employed both soft and hard measures to encourage the migration of these tribes. They hoped that by pushing the Eastern Bantu tribes into other regions, they could share the burden with their neighbors.
However, these measures led to increased chaos and territorial disputes in the west and north. While Karawi and Burundi could manage on their own lands due to their advanced social structures, the Eastern Bantu tribes began to disrupt the centralized rule in the region.
As a result, local and tribal disputes escalated, and the order that had been established was eroded. The East Bantu people, who were once engaged in military games with animals on the East African grasslands, now enjoyed free rein in the eight northwest countries.
These Bantu tribes began seizing resources and consuming the food surplus of the eight northwest countries, causing a breakdown in local governance. The local nobility organized armies to combat the Eastern Bantu tribes, resulting in bloodshed and a decline in population in the northwest of the Great Lakes region.
The East African colonial government, which had orchestrated this upheaval, was satisfied with the results as it aimed to acquire fertile lands. Unfortunately, the eight northwest countries occupied some of the most fertile land in East Africa, characterized by favorable water and soil conditions.
The Great Lakes region, including Lake Victoria, had a significant impact on local climate and rainfall patterns, making it an ideal area for agriculture. The East African colonial government desired this region but faced resistance from the local nobility.
Additionally, the Great Lakes (Lake Victoria) itself held immense freshwater resources, a valuable asset in the region. The lakes in East Africa, including Lake Victoria, were the result of unique topography, making them vital sources of freshwater in a tropical environment.
As the local nobles fought to protect their lands, the East African colonial government continued to pursue its agenda to control these fertile areas and freshwater resources. The struggle for control over these territories was set to continue.
(End of Chapter 87)