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. |
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Page 15
... remained unchanged . At the age of fifteen it became apparent that Shaka was attaining puberty , * and that he would soon have to go to Senzangakona's Royal kraal to go through the ceremony prescribed for all boys at that age , and to ...
... remained unchanged . At the age of fifteen it became apparent that Shaka was attaining puberty , * and that he would soon have to go to Senzangakona's Royal kraal to go through the ceremony prescribed for all boys at that age , and to ...
Page 50
... remained one of conciliation and he still hoped to attain his ends with the minimum of bloodshed , misery and destruction . He proposed to fine Zwide 2000 oxen and a small number of cows . This , with the heavy losses of men and ...
... remained one of conciliation and he still hoped to attain his ends with the minimum of bloodshed , misery and destruction . He proposed to fine Zwide 2000 oxen and a small number of cows . This , with the heavy losses of men and ...
Page 115
... , rather , that which remained of him after his head had gone to adorn Ntombazi's hut , and divers bits of his person had been cut away and stewed in a pot for their fat , and his head - ring carefully scraped of its mystical dirt IIS.
... , rather , that which remained of him after his head had gone to adorn Ntombazi's hut , and divers bits of his person had been cut away and stewed in a pot for their fat , and his head - ring carefully scraped of its mystical dirt IIS.
Contents
ZULULAND AND THE ZULUS IN THE LATE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY I | 1 |
BIRTH AND EXILE II | 11 |
THE YOUNG SOLDIERPAMPATATHE ASSEGAI | 21 |
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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