Traditional Rulers and the Art of War in Traditional Societies on the Eve of World War one (WWI): Case Study of FON Angwafo II of Mankon 1866-1920

Abstract

War in traditional African societies on the eve of World War One (WWI) was fashioned by men of exceptional character and ability. The development of the art of war was a consequence of the conflicts that sometimes-characterized relationships between chiefdoms and kingdoms, and eventually colonial regimes. In the Fondom of Mankon, in the Grassfields region of the present-day Bamenda town Fon Angwafo II (1866-1920) was one of such men who was able to raise and coordinate a strong army of Mankon soldiers and created a system of military and diplomatic alliances to resist invasions by neighbouring kingdoms in alliance with European invaders. For example, in the famous battle of Mankon of 1891, the German-Bali troops were defeated. However, although Mankon was finally subdued and the German colonial rule established in a counterattack, Fon Angwafo II remains a figure like Samori Touré of the Mandinka Empire, as was acknowledged by Kaiser William I, the German Emperor. This work describes how an African leader was able to use his deep-rooted military and diplomatic skills to mobilize available human, strategic, and communication resources, to defend and secure the borders of his kingdom against attacks. In the first part of the work, we develop a theory of militarism. We then link up this theory to the theory of conflict, then test the theory using the experience of the Fon of Mankon and his military engagements with the Germans and their Bali ally.