ZULU STATE

The rise of Tshaka and Zulu State

 The Zulu were a segment of the Mthethwa. Dingiswayo was their overlord.
 The growth and expansion of the Zulu state is associated with Tshaka. Tshaka was an
illegitimate son of Nandi and Senzangakona chief of the Zulu tribe.
 Circumstances surrounding Tshaka’s birth made him an outcast among his people.
 His parents were not legally married.
 According to the Zulu tradition his birth had no blessing of the ancestors.
 Therefore, he was not welcome among his father’s people. Consequently, Tshaka
grew up among his mother’s people of the Langeni tribe.
 He grew up a frustrated person.
 Tshaka joined Dingiswayo’s army at a tender (young) age. In the army he
distinguished himself through hard work and rose through ranks to become a
regimental commander.
 When Tshaka’s father died Dingiswayo assisted Tshaka to become the new Zulu
chief. Dingiswayo did this as a reward for Tshaka’s loyalty to him. With the help of
Dingiswayo, Tshaka killed his half-brother Sigujana who was the legitimate heir to
the throne.
 Following the death of Dingiswayo in 1818 in the war between the Ndwandwe and
the Mthethwa, Tshaka united the Mthethwa and the Zulu to form the Zulu state.
 He started reforming the Zulu army by improving on the methods of his former
mentor/teacher. The restructuring of the army was done in preparation for the final
show down with Zidwe. In the battle that followed Zidwe’s Ndwandwe were overrun
(defeated) by Tshaka. Thus, Tshaka became the undisputed champion of Nguniland
who conquered and absorbed other groups.

Tshaka’s Military Reforms

Tshaka improved on his mentor’s earlier reforms. He was a military genius and a tactician
who demonstrated his acumen (sharpness of mind) by building an invincible Zulu army
through the following reforms:

 Short stabbing spear

The Short spear (iklwa) replaced the long spear which Tshaka criticised for exposing
the soldier once it was thrown. This was used in hand to hand combat or fighting. It
was used to stab the enemy at close range. Soldiers were not allowed to throw it at the
enemy. Failure to bring back the short spear was punishable by death.
 Cow horn formation
This was a method of fighting in which the Zulu army attacked from three directions
(centre, left, & right) in a style that resembles or looks like the horns of a cow. The
left and right flanks (horns) were made of the young fast moving soldiers. The horns
or flanks were a surprise to the enemy. The main force attacked from the centre and
was visible to the enemy.

 Regimental system

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Tshakamaintained the regimental system. He organised the Zulu army into regiments.
Regiments were grouped according their ages.Each regiment was identified by a
different head gear or dress. Some of the regiments were Ufasimba, Izimpolo and
Umbelebele. These regiments were stationed in different places/military settlements
(e.g.Gibixhegu, Nobamba, Mbelebela, Bulawayo, Isikhlebhe and Dukuza) away from
their homes. This gave soldiers absolute loyalty to the king.
 Long shields
They were introduced for protecting soldiers from enemy spears.
 Bare footedness for soldiers
Tshaka abandoned the wooden sandals worn by soldiers. Soldiers went to war
barefooted for greater speed
 Compulsory conscription
All men below the age of forty were forced to serve in the army.
 Total warfare
Tshaka ensured total destruction of the enemy. The ruling family of the conquered
groups were removed from power and replaced by Zulu royal family members.
Tshaka incorporated young men and women of the conquered groups into the Zulu
regiments according to their ages.
 Marriage restrictions for soldiers
Soldiers were not allowed to marry until the age of 40. This was done in order to have
full commitment from the soldiers because the family was thought to divide the
attention of the soldiers.
 Use of baggage carriers
Employed young boys to serve as baggage carriers for the soldiers.
 Employed traditional doctors to treat the wounded soldiers
 Used spies and scouts to get information on his enemies

Zulu Expansion

 Tshaka consolidated his power through a series of war against his neighbours.
 Zwide was defeated by Tshaka at the battles of Gqokoli hill and Mhlatuzi River. This
resulted in Zidwe’s generals (Zwangendaba, Soshangane and Nxaba) splitting into
different groups.The Zulu army drove the Ndwandwe northwards into Mozambique.
 Many small chiefdoms were attacked and brought under Tshaka’s control.
 Tribute was used as sign of loyalty and control over the subjugated or conquered
groups.
 Lucrative trade routes with the foreigners especially the Portuguese at Delagoa Bay
fell under the control of Tshaka.
 Tshaka’s military reforms made the Zulu army the champion of Nguniland.
 Consequently, many groups were displaced and some flee from Nguniland.

Political Organisation

 The king was the supreme ruler.

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 He was the commander in chief and chief judge.
 Tshaka was the controller of labour, religion, trade and land.
 The king was assisted by chiefs or izinduna, Kraal heads, District heads and
councillors most of whom were his relatives and those the king trusted (isiLomo and
umSengi).
 Royal spies kept the king informed of the happenings.
 Power was distributed at three levels: the king at the top, members of the ruling
Zulu lineage at the middle and at the bottom was the incorporated trusted chiefs.
 Other political units were
 Other chiefs were required to pay tribute to Tshaka. These chiefs were excluded from
making important decisions. Tribute was paid in form of: livestock, ivory, animal
skins, grain, cowrie shells, ostrich feathers, gold, iron tools, ornaments and jewellery.
 State was divided into regimental towns under an izinduna.
 The army was used to control the state.
 He kept a standing army.
 Zulu was made the official language.
 Chiefs and izindunawere appointed by Tshaka.
 By refusing men to marry, Tshaka contolled the homesteads and reproduction.
 Tshaka’s family members held important positions in the provinces.
 Tshaka’s female relatives kept an eye on the loyalty of the soldiers or military
officers.
 Instilled loyalty through fear (punishment for disloyalty and cowardice was death).
 Religion served as a unifying force (e.g. Inxwala festival).
 Used existing ruling lineages where he encouraged and exploited rivalries among
them.
 Conquered chiefs who showed hostility to Tshaka were killed and replaced with those
friendly to him.

Military organisation of the Zulu State

 Tshaka was the chief commander of the army.

 He appointed army commanders and induna (chiefs).
 All young adults (18-35 years) were conscripted into the female and male regiments.
 Each regiment had its own regimental songs and war-cry besides the nation war-cry.
 Regiments wore different head dress and use different shields.
Ufasimba, Izimpolo and Umbelebele were some of the regiments.
 Regiments were stationed at several regimental town/military settlements.
Tshaka’s military settlements were: Gibixhegu, Nobamba, Mbelebela, Bulawayo,
Isikhlebhe and Dukuza
 An induna or military commander led military towns.
 The induna was handpicked from common families by the king so that they owed
their position to the king.
 Female regiments took part in ceremonial dances and cultivation of crops.

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 When a male regiment was ready for marriage Tshaka took girls from a female
regiment and gave them to warriors as wives.
Duties of these regiments included:
a) Fighting in wars
b) Herding cattle
c) Hunting for the king
d) Guarding camps
e) Taking part in cultural ceremonies
f) Defending the state
g) Raiding
h) Constructing kraals
i) Repairing kraals and fences
j) Cultivating crops
k) Sowing
l) Weeding
m) Harvesting

Military duties Other duties

Fighting in wars Herding cattle

Guarding camps Hunting for the king

Defending the state Taking part in cultural ceremonies

Raiding Constructing kraal

Repairing kraals and fences

Cultivating crops

Sowing

Weeding

Harvesting

Weeding

Economic System

 Raided other states for grain, labour, livestock, ivory, conquest, military glory,
women etc.
 Mined gold,copper and iron.
 Grew different crops. E.g. water melons, calabash, maize, pumpkins and beans.
The king opened the farming season. No one was allowed to plant or reap before the
king. Special ceremonies were performed by the king before planting and during
harvesting time.

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 Hunted for meat, skins, ivory, honour and leisure.
 Kept livestock.
Cattle were the most important livestock because they symbolised status, used for
paying lobola&tribute,slaughtered during ceremonies, provided meat, milk (amasi),
skins/hides and draught power.
 Traded locally among themselves and externally with the foreigners like the
Portuguese.
 Iron smithing provided toolsand weapons (knives, hoes, axes, and assegais).
 Weaving was also important

Social Organisation

 Patrilineal society.
 Division of labour on gender basis.
 Practiced polygamy.
 Payment of lobola or bride price in marriages.
 Zulu was made the national language.
 Held inxwala festival for celebrating first fruits or harvest time.
Attendance to these ceremonies was compulsory.
 Initiation ceremonies marked transition from childhood into adulthood.
Circumcision was held during these ceremonies. However these ceremonies were
suspended owing to the frequent fighting(Mfecane) in Nguniland.
 Worshipped a Supreme God through their ancestors.
 Medium spirits acted as mediators between the living and the dead.
 Traditional healers known as ‘sangoma’ treated the sick and were also consulted in
times of crisis.

Problems faced by Tshaka

 Defiance of Mzilikazi in 1823 and the subsequent resistance by him which led
Mzilikazi to migrate out of Zululand.
 Disloyalty of royal family members and closest advisors.
 Opposition and resistance from relatives who undermined his authority.
 Most people disliked him for his cruelty.
 Despotic rule and frequent wars disunited people.
 Motivating tiring soldiers who wanted to settle down to family life.
 Fear of the birth of a son who might one day challenge his claim to the throne.
 Opposition from other Nguni chiefs.
 Madhlatule famine/ drought.
 Trade leakages at Delagoa Bay.
 Attempted assassination in 1824.
 Defections of people from the Zulu state.
 Nandi’s death in 1827.
 Widespread starvation in 1828.
 Assassination in 1828. Fasimba Royal Guard conspired against him.

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Problems faced by people under Tshaka

 Long serving soldiers wanted to settle down to family life.

 Soldiers were tired of constant wars.
 Harsh punishment (death in most cases).
 Violation of human rights, for example the right to life. Tshaka played God.
 Defeated chiefs were either killed or dethroned.
 Conquered groups lost their wealth.
 Men resented or hated compulsory conscription.
 Unnecessary killings of those opposed to him.
 Increased cruelty after the death of Nandi in 1827
He killed many people after the death of Nandi whom he accused of having
bewitched her and for not showing enough grief.
It was forbidden to do the following during the mourning period:
a) Agricultural activity was to take place
b) Drinking or using milk.
c) Sexual activity
d) Falling pregnant (Violation of this resulted in the murder of the couple).

Benefits of Tshaka’s rule

 People gained protection through the mighty Zulu army.

 His rule delayed the occupation of Zululand by the Boers.
 The groups that fled from him benefited from his military reforms and this enabled
them to survive in different areas which they settled.
 Raiding increased food supply, notwithstanding the role played by the female
regiments in the fields which contributed to enough food supply.
 Land supply increased because Tshaka destroyed other ethnics groups and some even
ran away leaving vacant land which the Zulus eventually occupied.

The End of Zulu State

 Tshaka was assassinated in 1828 by his half-brothers Dingani and Mhlangani, half-
sister Mkabayi and an indunaMbhopa.
Reasons for the murder of Tshaka involved:
a) He was cruel.
b) He was an absolute dictator.
c) His brothers considered him an usurper (somebody with no right to the
throne)

d) His brothers were ambitious.

e) The assassins were jealousy of him.
f) People were tired of his endless military campaigns.
 Soon after the death of Tshaka, Dingani plotted against the other assassins and
killed them.
 He took over the reign of Zulu state.
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 Consequently the death of Tshaka left the state in the hands of leaders who lacked
Tshaka’s acumen (ability to make
good and quick judgements). Zulu state was never the same again. Tshaka’s
successors (Dingane, Mpande, Cetshwayo) were finally annihiliated (destroyed) by
the Boers and British respectively.

Dingane’s Reign

 Dingane took over in 1828. He came into contact with the Boers who eventually
defeated him in 1838 at the battle of the Blood River.

Mpande’s Reign

 He took over as Dingane’s successor in 1839 with the help of the Boers. He was a
Boer puppet.He avoided hostilities with the whites at all costs.

Cetshwayo’s Reign

 He succeeded Mpande in 1872. Cetshwayo was more aggressive and wanted to

revive the days of Tshaka.
 He raised a strong army of unmarried warriors for the purpose of attacking the Boers
at Transvaal.
 However, the British annexed Transvaal in 1877. This meant that Cetshwayo was
now a threat to the British.
 Consequently, the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 marked the end of Zulu independence
with the final defeat of Cetshwayo’s army at Ulundi. Britain eventually annexed
Zululand in 1887.