Sack of Meru


The Sack of Meru, was a series of punitive attacks by the Germans and Chagga States on the slopes of Mount Meru against the Meru and Warusha in retaliation for the deaths of two missionaries.
For the Chagga, it was to save the cattle and Chagga women that the Arusha had taken hostage in the past raids by the Warusha.

Backgorund

In late 1896, a severe punitive expedition was launched by German colonial forces in retaliation for the murders of two Lutheran missionaries, Ovir and Segebrock, who were killed in Meru in October of that year. The circumstances surrounding their deaths indicated that anti-German resistance had been escalating since an earlier expedition in October 1895. In July 1896, the Catholic missionaries seeking land for a mission station in Meru were nearly attacked, only being saved by the timely intervention of a Swahili official.
Despite the friendly disposition of Matunda, the chief of the Wameru, who had welcomed the visiting Lutheran missionaries, he cautioned them about local sentiments against European presence. Captain Johannes had also previously advised against establishing a mission station in Meru due to security concerns. However, the missionaries, believing in the goodwill of the natives, disregarded these warnings. Consequently, they were attacked by Meru warriors who sought to prevent European encroachment, fearing the abolition of slavery and the loss of their lands.
Following the attack on the missionaries, Meru warriors, aided by their Warusha allies, attempted to kill Captain Johannes and his assistant, Lieutenant Merker, who were camped nearby. This incident compelled Johannes to return urgently to Moshi to mobilize Chagga warriors in defense of German authority.
On October 31, 1896, a large punitive expedition was assembled, comprising African troops from the 1st Company stationed at Moshi and approximately 10,000 Chagga auxiliaries from various regions, including Kirua Kilema, Marangu, Mwika, Rombo, and Useri, all under the leadership of Mangi Marealle. This force aimed to suppress the resistance of the Arusha and Meru peoples, who were striving to challenge German control. Captain Johannes opted for swift military action to quell the uprising, fearing that any temporary success for the rebels would embolden further raids against German interests in the region, particularly against new German settlers and other European stations in Kilimanjaro.

The sacking

In November 1896, the German expedition led by Captain Johannes, with the assistance of the Warush chief Masinde of Arusha, compelled the influential Warush chief Merai to negotiate peace. Following this development, the expedition advanced to Meru, arriving on November 15. Captain Johannes rejected peace overtures from Matunda, opting instead to conduct punitive raids against the fleeing Wameru villages from November 15 to 17. These operations involved the support of Chagga warriors, who reportedly captured 3,000 cattle and 5,500 goats and sheep. A significant portion of this loot was later distributed among the Chagga by the German Commandant as compensation for their involvement and losses during the campaign.

Aftermath

Despite securing some 'war compensation' in the form of 30 frasilas of ivory from the Warush and Wameru, Captain Johannes did not achieve a decisive military victory. The onset of the cold rainy season, which brought diseases such as fever and dysentery, forced him to retreat to Moshi. At this time, Matunda and his warriors remained at large, posing an ongoing threat to the German administration. The immediate beneficiaries of the expedition were the Chagga, who not only acquired livestock but also returned with approximately 500 Chagga women previously held captive in the Arusha/Meru region. It was not until February 1898 that the chiefs Mergi of Ilboru and Ndaskoi of Ilvurkai came to Captain Johannes with gifts, formally offering their submission and severing their support for the Wameru.