A batch of one hundred and thirty-six Abyssinians and Somalis, imported on board the German liner ' Herzog' for labour in the Rhodesian mines, refused to land, having been told by the firemen that they would have to work in chains. The Portuguese police and soldiers were called in, and the natives proving recalcitrant, a serious fight ensued, in which nine of the police were wounded, while one Somali was killed, twenty-six were wounded, and eighty-six are re- ported missing, "having jumped overboard." This painful episode shows how extremely difficult is the problem of native labour in South Africa. We may remark, however, that if the Chartered Company had not allowed a system of what was practically forced labour to be carried out in Rhodesia in the years following the conquest, there would probably be no need now to import native labour.
Back story to how they ended up there can be read here
Recruiting Labour in the Horn of Africa for the Southern Rhodesian Market, 1899 - 1901: The Futile Exercise!
Some of the more interesting comments on the Somalis who were brought to work there :
Edward Dicey stated that:
the Somalis are unfitted for either surface or underground work. They have absolutely no energy, and little or no idea of how to exert their strength which at best is very poor, and very few wish to work underground, even with the prospect of receiving a higher wage. They apparently do not value money
and are perfectly satisfied as long as they have sufficient to eat. 56
Also, The resentment towards the Somali workers grew when they refused to eat the fufu rations and asked bariis and ghee instead :
RIP to the martyrs
An ominous incident is reported by Renter's Agency from Beira. » 12 Jan 1901 » The Spectator Archive
A batch of one hundred and thirty-six Abyssinians and Somalis, imported on board the German liner ' Herzog' for labour in the Rhodesian mines, refused to land, having been told by the firemen that they would have to work in chains. The Portuguese police and soldiers were called in, and the...
archive.spectator.co.uk
Back story to how they ended up there can be read here
Recruiting Labour in the Horn of Africa for the Southern Rhodesian Market, 1899 - 1901: The Futile Exercise!
Some of the more interesting comments on the Somalis who were brought to work there :
Edward Dicey stated that:
the Somalis are unfitted for either surface or underground work. They have absolutely no energy, and little or no idea of how to exert their strength which at best is very poor, and very few wish to work underground, even with the prospect of receiving a higher wage. They apparently do not value money
and are perfectly satisfied as long as they have sufficient to eat. 56
Also, The resentment towards the Somali workers grew when they refused to eat the fufu rations and asked bariis and ghee instead :
RIP to the martyrs
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