Battle Methods Of The Zulus

By Rob Atherton


The Zulus are thought of as almost the most scaring warriors the African continent has possibly provided and they can actually be grateful for King Shaka for this recognition. King Shaka was the leader of the Zulus from 1816 right up till his dying in 1828. In this period, Shaka Zulu significantly changed the Zulu army. He substituted the regular long throwing spear (Assegai) with a short stabbing spear (Iklwa) employing a broader blade. The Zulu enunciation of i-klwa is believed to be the noises the weapon made the way that it was thrust into and then withdrawn from an enemies body.

Shaka Zulu similarly arranged logistical assistance for his significant armed forces and placed them into levels of regiment, each using their individual exclusive titles and designs on their shields. Shaka Zulu was similarly in charge of creating the generally known Zulu combat systems called the "Buffalo Horns" (impondo zenkomo). This categorical plan had initially been employed by the Zulus for hunting but King Shaka altered it for combat to devastating effect.

The Buffalo Horns would see the Zulus separate their forces into four distinctive elements. Each represented part of the Buffalo; the chest (isifuba), left & right horns (izimpondo) as well as the loins (umuva).

The Chest from the Buffalo normally would attack the opposing forces at once. This particular bit of the Zulu impi would often are comprised of the finest warriors, tested in combat.

As the Chest of the Buffalo was engaging the enemy, the Horns would move off to the right and left, encircling the opposition. All survivors got the chance to join the Zulus, the other choice was death. Individuals who joined the Zulu armed forces became Zulu warriors. These people renounced their former tribal duty and got total Zulu education. The warriors who made up the Left & Right Horns would as a rule consist of younger, speedier warriors that could advance swiftly to enclose the enemy.

The remaining Zulus, the Loins, were typically the more mature, more experienced soldiers who were held in reserve to be used when necessary. They would also be held out of view of the battle or maybe looking away from the action so they didn't come to be over excited and join the fight too early. King Shaka or his commanders would watch and handle their warriros from high ground looking over the battlefield and pass on their directions with numerous runners.

The "Buffalo Horns" strategies were used by the Zulus in tribal battles and continued to be used a few years after Shaka's death. On 22nd January 1879 when the Zulus attacked the English camp at Isandlwana, it was viewed by many as a rotten British defeat but perhaps it should be considered a great Zulu victory. Although the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 ultimately saw the defeat of the Zulu nation, the reputation they earned lives on. All around the planet, the Zulu is appreciated as a brave and formidable warrior. In the phonetic alphabet, the letter 'Z ' is identified by the word 'Zulu'.

Their heritage also brings visitors to this part of SA with folks going to look at the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.




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