The Mutiny of the West African Regiment in the Gold Coast, 1901

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The Mutiny of the West African Regiment in the Gold Coast, 1901
Author:	Killingray, David
Year:	1983
Periodical:	International Journal of African Historical Studies
Volume:	16
Issue:	3
Pages:	441-454
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	rebellions 1901 black soldiers colonialism History and Exploration Military, Defense and Arms
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/218745
Abstract:	Although some Europeans questioned the wisdom of 'arming natives', the African colonial forces generally proved reliable both within and without their home colonies. On rare occasions they did use their arms and collective muscle to defy and threaten the 'authorities which employed them. One such instance was the mutiny of the West African Regiment in Asante in 1901. Although the mutiny was a small affair lasting only three weeks, within the Gold Coast it added further anxiety to existing unrest consequent upon the recent suppression of the serious rising in Asante. The story of the mutiny, put together from a variety of sources, inevitably suffers from heavy reliance on European accounts. However, it does show how men, who as mercenaries joined the army for pay, were prepared to strike in protest against poor working conditions and what they saw as broken contracts. Notes.