Colonial authorities, local leaders, collaboration, resilience, and resistance, 1896–1916
By Jean Berchmans Ndihokubwayo (22 May 2026)
Editorial note
<<This post includes a summary (PDF file) by Jean Berchmans Ndihokubwayo of his dissertation which he successfully defended at the University of Gießen on 20 May 2026. Jean is a Burundian historian with a special focus on German colonialism in Africa. Since 2016, he has served as Assistant Lecturer at the University of Burundi. His stay in Germany was funded through the research programme “German Colonial Rule“ of Germany’s Foreign Office which is administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). His conversation with the podcast DECOLONIAL MEMORIES is available on all major platforms.>>
PDF file of the summary
Collaboration, resilience & resistance
The dissertation investigates the dynamics of collaboration, resilience, and resistance between German colonial authorities and Burundian leaders from 1896 to 1916. Since the primary goal of colonial rule was to establish political control, questions about the fate of existing power holders in the colonised areas are worth asking: Would traditional Burundian leaders be marginalised, or would they be expected to align their authority and prestige with the colonial occupier? How did the German colonial power, represented by a small staff, manage to establish itself as the authoritative figure in Burundi?
Theoretical framework
The dissertation draws on the collaboration theory articulated by Ronald Robinson which emerged in the 1960s amid nationalist struggles for independence in Africa. In addition, the text incorporates insights from other theoretical perspectives, namely resilience frameworks and resistance theories, to offer a more holistic understanding of African agency. Thus, the dissertation employs a qualitative research approach, including historical-critical analysis, discourse analysis, and the utilisation of various sources and archives, alongside Burundian historiography.
Sources of information
As sources of information, the dissertation draws on two main categories: Firstly, written colonial documents, including the writings of early European visitors and the speeches and reports of colonial officials, preserved in archives or published. And secondly, oral history sources, derived from oral traditions and contemporary recollections.
Internal dynamics manipulated
Analysis of various sources suggests that local Burundian leaders were not fully marginalised; rather, they were expected to align with the German colonial authority through indirect rule. The Germans co-opted local governance structures, allowing local leaders to retain influence if they collaborated with them. By strategically supporting either the royal court or dissenting chiefs, they manipulated internal dynamics to maintain control. Besides, the German authority was established through military force and a ‘divide et impera’ approach. The dominance of the Germans was further reinforced by the coordination of military campaigns and religious institutions.
Beyond Eurocentric narratives
This research makes significant empirical and methodological contributions to African colonial historiography, particularly through its critique of the Eurocentric narratives that have long dominated the field.
Conversation with Jean
Link to conversation with Jean on podcast DECOLONIAL MEMORIES and background information on historical and present relations between Burundi and Germany: