Shaka Zulu: The Rise of the Zulu EmpireE. A. Ritter's "Shaka Zulu", the great biography of a Zulu king whose achievements rivalled those of his contemporary, Napoleon, in Europe, has established itself as a classic of African history. Shaka was born in 1787, the illegitimate son of a minor chieftain. Branded with this shame, he strove even harder to execute the rigorous duties required of Zulu youths. Excelling in everything he undertook, he soon proved himself a born leader. Gathering about him a nucleus of some 500 untrained tribesmen, he built up an immense army of skilled warriors, conquering and pacifying a territory larger than Europe -- all in the space of twelve years. Although Shaka was capable of cruelties, the author shows that the legends of his atrocities have been grossly exaggerated; paradoxically, Shaka considered many of the white men's punishments inhuman. At the peak of his career, Shaka was assassinated by his jealous brothers, and within fifty years his work was undone. But assassination, usurpation and his own excesses cannot dim the savage greatness of the man and the king, which emanates so strongly from the pages of this book. -- From publisher's description. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 44
Page 8
... military kraals , there to tend no longer his father's but the king's herds . This was an established institution in every boy's upbringing , needed , it was said , to ensure his growing well , in which no doubt the copious supply of ...
... military kraals , there to tend no longer his father's but the king's herds . This was an established institution in every boy's upbringing , needed , it was said , to ensure his growing well , in which no doubt the copious supply of ...
Page 65
... military kraals and woe betide the defaulters . His kingdom was so small - a paltry ten miles by ten - that from his central position he could reach any of its confines within an hour . To understand the task which presently lay ahead ...
... military kraals and woe betide the defaulters . His kingdom was so small - a paltry ten miles by ten - that from his central position he could reach any of its confines within an hour . To understand the task which presently lay ahead ...
Page 200
... military and moral code . In a puckish spirit he arose and strode in front of the massed warriors , who were eyeing the maidens hungrily , and addressed them as follows : ' Because as you have all fought well , and , in the kindness of ...
... military and moral code . In a puckish spirit he arose and strode in front of the massed warriors , who were eyeing the maidens hungrily , and addressed them as follows : ' Because as you have all fought well , and , in the kindness of ...
Contents
ZULULAND AND THE ZULUS IN THE LATE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY I | 1 |
BIRTH AND EXILE II | 11 |
THE YOUNG SOLDIERPAMPATATHE ASSEGAI | 21 |
21 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
arrived assegai attack battle Bayete became beer Belebele blade body boys Bulawayo bull Butelezis cattle cattle-kraal chief clan commander councillors cows death Dingane Dingiswayo diviners Dukuza E-Langeni Elephant enemy eyes face Farewell Fasimba father fear feet fighting force forest formed front Fynn gave girls guards harem head heart hyaena immediately indunas Izi-cwe regiment killed King's knew Kumalos Lieutenant King lines looked maidens Matiwane Mbiya Mbopa Mbuzikazi Mdlaka Mgobozi Mhlangana miles military kraals mother Mqalane Mtetwa Mzilikazi Nandi Natal Ndwandwes Ngomane Ngonyama Nguni Ngwadi Ngwanes night Nkandla Nobela Nomahlanjana Nqoboka Ntombazi Pampata party Port Natal present Qwabes regiment replied river Royal sent Senzangakona Shaka shield shouted side silence slayers soon Soshangane spears stabbing Tembus throw told took tree tribe Tugela Tugela river u-dibi Umfolozi warriors whilst White whole witch-doctors witchcraft women wounded yards Zulu army Zulu language Zululand Zwangendaba Zwide