Boys' Youth Group Uniforms: Africa

Figure 1.--Madagascar was a French colony and Scouting was founded there during the French colonial period. Here we see Madagascar Scouts.

HBC at this time has very little information about youth movements in Africa. We have very little information individual African countries. Most of Africa was colonized by European countries during the 19th century. Thus the African youth movements were influenced by the developing youth movement in Europe. The principal youth movement active in Africa has been Scouting. Italian Fascists promoted youth movements in their African colonies. We do not yet have much information on other African youth movements.

Ethiopia

Scoting was founded in Ethiopia during the inter-War era. We believe it was founded about 1933, but do not yet have details. Ethiopia was one of the few independent Africa countries at the time. We do not know much abouth Ethiopiam Scouting, but at the time suspect it was a realtively small movement confined to Adis Abana or perhaps a few other of the coutrty's largest cities. Italy invaded and occupied Ethiopia (1935). The Italians banned Scouting and founded their Fascist colonial youth movement. The British invaded Ethiopia and restored Emperor Haile Selassie to power (1941). Scouting was revived in the country, but as far as we can tell several tears later (1948). Scout troops appear to hsve been organized through the school system. The coyntry's Scout movement was recognized as a member of the World Organization (1969). The Scout movement played an importan role in the relief effort needed because of the droughts and famines. Scouts also worked in literacy campaigns and other community betterment efforts. A Marxist Government seized power in Ethiopia and banned Scouting for a second time. I do not know if the Government organized a Young Pioneer movement.

Libya

Mussolini seized power in Italy (1924). Within a few years he banned Scouting so there would be no competition to the Fascist youth movement (1927). The movement was extended to the African colonies. The movement was disbaned when the British drove the Italians and their German allies out of Libya (1942).

Somalia

Mussolini seized power in Italy (1924). Within a few years he banned Scouting so there would be no competition to the Fascist youth movement (1927). The movement was extended to the African colonies. The movement was disbaned when the British drove the Italians out of Somalia (1941).

Madagascar

Madagascar was a French colony and Scouting was founded there during the French colonial period.

South Africa

The best known youth group in South Africa is of course the Boy Scouts. Baden Powell played an important role in the Bohr War and his expereinces in South Africa played an important role in the foundation of the Scoyting movement. During the Apartheid era, the Scouts were on of the few institutions in which one could find some minimal degree of participation by different racial groups. This was probably because English South Afraicans played a major role in the Scouting movement. Less well known outside of the country is the the Voortrekker movement. This movement was run by Afrukaaner South Africans and almost all the boys were Afrrikaaners. The penkoppe (singular: penkop) are the junior division of comparable to what Cubs are to Boy Scouts. Penkop ('pin head') is basically an affectionate designation of a youngster in general, referring to the crew cut of many Afrikaner boys. More particularly the term is used for boy soldiers who joined the ranks of the Boer Commandos that fought the British between 1899 and 1902. They in turn serve as as a role model for Voortrekker 'cubs', hence their name.

Zimbabwe

We have very little information about youth groups in Zimbabwe at this time. Readers have provided some information about the Boys' Brigade. One source indicated tht the Boys' Brigade in what is now Zimbabwe was founded in 1948. At the time of course, Zimbabwe was the British colony of Rhodesia. A reader tells us, "The 1st Bulawayo Company of The Boys' Brigade was founded on Friday, October 1, 1948, the 1st Wankie in 1949 and the 1st Salisbury on Friday, July 14, 1950. [Coltham] William Thomson was the first members of the 1st Salisbury and, as the person responsible for calling the meeting which resulted in the Company being formed. He tells us, "The inaugural meeting of the 1st Salisbury took place in the Presbyterian Church, Jameson Avenue on July 14, 1950." [Thomspn]