Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A Brief History of The Zulu Empire During British Imperialism
A Brief History of The Zulu Empire During British Imperialism
Imperialism
Cattle held a profound cultural and spiritual
the policy of extending a nation’s
importance as well, serving as a means of
communication with the "amadlozi," the spirits of Zulu power by gaining political and
ancestors. These connections were especially evident economic control over more
during significant life events, such as the birth of a territory.
child, where cattle were offered to introduce the
newborn to their ancestral lineage. Similarly, during
times of mourning, cattle were offered to connect
with the "amathongo" or "abalele" (those who rest in
the afterlife). Additionally, cattle played a central role
Activity 2
in the traditional practice of "ilobolo," where a bride
appreciation price was paid. Following marriage, the
Reflect on what you have just read
bride would establish her own "umuzi," demonstrating
her economic independence through subsistence
(a) What was a symbol of wealth in the Zulu
farming and the support of the cattle she brought to
Kingdom?
her marital family.
(b) When were cattle used?
(c) Who had political power in KwaZulu?
This underscores not only the economic significance
(d) Define imperialism.
of cattle within the Kingdom of KwaZulu but also their
role as potent symbols of wealth in a society that did
not employ money as a form of wealth exchange.
Moreover, cattle served as a vital medium for
communication with ancestors, illustrating their
profound cultural importance in the fabric of Zulu
society.
1.2 WHY WAS THE ZULU NATION A
STRONG MILITARY FORCE?
ADVANCED
3
SHAKA ZULU
MILITARY TACTICS
When historians speak of the Zulu
During Shaka’s tenure within the
nation, it is almost impossible to
eLangeni community, he developed a
not mention the profound
deep understanding of military tactics
influence Shaka kaSenzangakhona
of the Mthethwa people under the
had. Not only is he the first Zulu
supervision of King Dingiswayo. He
king to encounter British settlers,
became one of the most courageous
however, Shaka Zulu played a
warriors in the clan ultimately leading
crucial role in forming the military
to his promotion as regimental
strength, discipline and
commander. While acting as regimental
organisation of the group and its
officer, he came up with ways to
expansion from 2000 people to
advance army weapons and an
hundreds of thousands within a
organised strategy of war. One of his
mere six decades. His life has left
notable contributions was the proposal
an indelible mark on history and
to shorten the javelin(umkhonto) that
inspired the creation of many
was used. He argued that it would be
written texts and films that
easier to stab the opponent as a closer
continue to captivate worldwide
distance than to stand unarmed
audiences.
awaiting your opponent to attack, the
weapon he came up with is known as
SHAKA ZULU’S “ikwa". Additionally, the strategy of
UPBRINGING enclosing the enemy during war known
as the Bull Horn Formation or
Shaka Zulu is the illegitimate son of “Impondo Zenkomo '' was a military
Queen Nandi and King tactic he used to develop and build on
Senzangakhona. Although his the training he had received from King
parents were married later on, Dingiswayo. It is important to note that
Shaka did not spend his formative the military was used as a tool to
years in his father’s royal achieve unification of smaller Nguni
household. This is a result of his tribes to create a nation with more
father feeling that he would people as the numbers would be of
become a troublesome leader in benefit to the growing military. These
the future. King Senzangakhona military strategies proved to be
sent for his son to be killed. He effective and were subsequently
then ran away to live eLangeni with employed during the early stages of
the Mthethwa people on his British imperialism in the Anglo-Zulu
maternal family’s side where he war by his nephew, King Cetshwayo, to
faced instances of bullying defeat the British at the Battle of
Isandlwana.