Zulu The Zulu founded in 1709 by Zulu Kantombhela, are the largest South African ethnic group of an estimated 10-11 million people who live mainly in the Northern Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Small numbers of the group can also be found in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The language of the tribe is isiZulu which is part of the Nguni sub group. In the Nguni languages iZulu means heaven or sky. During the 19th and 20th Centuries the Zula played a huge role in South African History forming a powerful state in 1816 under their leader Shaka.; ca. (1787 – ca. 22 September1828). Shaka was the most influential leader of the Zulu. His military prowess and destructiveness have been widely credited. He has been called a military genius for his reforms and innovations. At the time of his death, Shaka ruled over 250,000 and could muster more than 50,000 warriors. His 10-year-long kingship had resulted in more than 2 million deaths by warfare alone, not counting the deaths during mass tribal migrations to escape his armies. Following the assassination of Shaka in 1828 his half-brother Dingane assumed power and ruled for some twelve years. In 1840 another half-brother Mpande, who with Boer and British support, took over the Zulu leadership and ruled for some 30 years. Following the death of Mpande, Cetshwayo kaMpande (circa 1826– February 8, 1884) the son of Mpande became the king of the Zulu nation from 1872 to 1879 and their leader during the Zulu War. Cetshwayo expanded his army and readopted many methods of Shaka On December 11, 1878, agents of the British delivered an ultimatum to 14 chiefs representing Cetshwayo. The terms required Cetshwayo to disband his army and accept British authority. Cetshwayo refused, and war followed at the start of 1879. During the war, the Zulus handed the British their most severe defeat prior to World War I at the Battle of Isandlwana on January 22. The British managed to get the upper hand after the battle at Rorke"s Drift, and win the war with the Zulu defeat at the Battle of Ulundi on July 5. After Cetshwayo"s capture a month after his defeat, the British divided the Zulu Empire into 13 "kinglets". The subkingdoms fought amongst each other until 1883 when Cetshwayo was reinstated as king over Zululand. This still did not stop the fighting and the Zulu monarch was forced to flee his realm by Zibhebhu, one of the 13 kinglets, supported by Boer mercenaries. Cetshwayo died in February 1884. In the past Zulu people were classed as third-class citizens and suffered from state sanctioned discrimination. Today, they are the most numerous ethnic group in South Africa, and have equal rights along with all other citizens. |
|
 |