Local rulers openly rejected Egypt’s claimed civilizing mission as plunder of independence

Evidence

Four days had not passed before King Mtesa’s messenger appeared, and he censured Gordon for threatening the king, since he did not know the extent of Mtesa’s strength, and he was capable of bringing down great tribulations on Gordon, and everyone with him. He did not need the force of the Egyptian government, nor did he seek help from Egypt, no matter how strong it was. Then the messenger asked Gordon why he had come to Mtesa’s land to dethrone the king, saying, in the king’s own words, we are satisfied with our condition. We never sent you a complaint, nor a plea for help, and we can do without this civilization of yours that plunders our happiness and our present independence. — Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Colonialism_…, 588

Categorization

• XREF: Rare documentary record of an African ruler’s voice directly refuting the imperial civilizing narrative from the colonized side, useful alongside Said’s contrapuntal readings.
• CANDY: A king’s blunt rejection ‘we can do without this civilization of yours that plunders our happiness’ is a striking quotable line.