Zulu People

The Zulu People are a South African cultural group that rose to power and glory under the leadership of chief Shaka in the 19th century and now make up the largest population group in South Africa.

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Shaka Zulu

Shaka, who became king of the Zulu people in 1816, is the most well known Zulu king. He wielded total power over his tribe. He was born in 1787 to a young Zulu woman and the first son of chieftain Senzangakhona who fell under Dingaswayo’s rule. He was sent away from his father’s kraal for some of his younger years only to return when the first son to succeed to chief was found dead.

Shaka then proved himself in the iziCwe regiment under the command of Dingaswayo. When Shaka eventually became chief in 1816 he did so by forcibly taking the kingdom from his brother and rightful heir.

He began to build his tribe and alliances with smaller neighboring tribes so that later when Dingaswayo was murdered he took it upon himself to avenge his death and defeated Zwide, a chief of a powerful tribe from the North. He was finally able to do this in 1825 and thereafter he continued to build his followers and encourage allegiances between his tribe and other smaller groups.

Those tribes that did not join willingly were attacked and defeated then the remnants were added to Shaka’s tribal community which caused large growth over the period ending 1826.

His interaction with the white traders set the stage for later white settlers and British expeditions into Zululand.

Battle of Blood River

The most fierce battle that is remembered each year on the South African calendar is “The Battle Of Blood River”. On 16 December 1838, 470 trekkers led by Andries Pretorius defeated 10 000 Zulu warriors on the banks of the Ncome River.

After Dingaan’s horrific massacre of the Retief party the remaining Boers asked Andries Pretorius to leave the Cape and come to their aid so that they could overthrow Dingaan and settle in Natal. Pretorius covenanted with God that if He would help them gain victory he would build a church in His honor.

On the 15th of December the Voortrekkers crossed the Buffalo River knowing that the Zulu were on their way to attack. They set up camp and awaited the attack.

In the early morning of the 16th December 1838 the Trekkers saw approximately 10 000 Zulu warriors amassed around the settlement. The Trekkers then made another vow that if God would bring them the victory, they would keep this day as a Holy Day.

The first wave of Zulu warriors sent to attack the Boer laager was mowed down with rifle fire. They were also at a disadvantage due to the change in spear length under Dingaan’s rule. This new spear was useful for close combat not for long distance throwing.

Women, children and servants helped to reload the rifles amidst the battle, semi-protected by the laager formation. After two hours and four waves of attack some of the Boers set out on horseback to engage with the Zulu’s in closer combat. Many of the Zulus fled which provided the break in ranks that the Boers needed.

3 000 Zulu warriors were killed that day, the Ncome River ran red with blood, hence the name “Battle of Blood River”.

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