Origins of the Zulu State
Tshaka came from a small Zulu chiefdom which had been absorbed into Dingiswayo’s Mthethwa. Tshaka was born in 1787 and he was the son of Senzangakhona and a Langeni woman, Nandi. Senzangakhona was a Zulu chief. Tshaka was disowned by his father, so he grew up among the Langeni.
At the age of 16, Tshaka was taken to the Mthethwa to stay with his father’s relatives. He became a herd boy. At the age of 23 (in 1810) he was recruited into Dingiswayo’s army. He proved to be a brave soldier and was promoted to commander of a regiment. He introduced his own military innovations.
He advised Dingiswayo on military matters. Senzangakhona (Tshaka’s father), died in 1816 and his son Sigujana inherited the Zulu leadership. Dingiswayo killed Sigujana and made Tshaka the chief of the Zulu. Dingiswayo thus assisted Tshaka to takeover power. Tshaka was chief of the Zulu as well as commander of the Zulu army. Dingiswayo died in 1818 and Tshaka became the leader of the entire Mthethwa state.
Dingiswayo was executed by the Ndwandwe. Tshaka conquered Mthethwa and the combined Mthethwa, Zulu and other tribes to form the Zulu state. Tshaka united about 100 chiefdoms under his rule. Tshaka continued Dingiswayo’s expansionist policy. He conquered the Ndwandwe under Zwide and took over a large state extending from Pongola River to Tugela River in the South. He also defeated the Ngwane under Sobhuza.
Reasons for the rise of Tshaka
King Tshaka was a brave soldier. Tshaka was a courageous and innovative fighter. Tshaka became an effective army commander who advised the king. Tshaka’s ability to develop new fighting skills which enabled him to defeat others.
Tshaka defeated and conquered the Mthethwa. Senzangakhona’s death created a vacuum for his rise. Dingiswayo’s support on Tshaka. The death of Sigujana (He was killed by Dingiswayo). The death of Dingiswayo made him to combine Mthethwa and Zulu.
King Shaka
There was weak opposition from local chiefdoms. Mfecane led to the rise of Tshaka. Raiding other states ensured him to create a powerful and secure state. Betrayal of Dingiswayo by Tshaka led to the rise of Tshaka. When Dingiswayo attacked Zwide, Tshaka delayed to join him till he was killed.
Social organisation of the Zulu
There was sexual division of labour. They practised loaning of cattle. They lived in dome shaped huts arranged in a circular manner with a cattle kraal inside the circle. They believed in God. They did rain making ceremonies.
The king led at ceremonies. Marriage was allowed to men after retiring from the army. Females were also organised into regiments. Regiments of women were used to cultivate land and for ceremonial dances and displays.
The king officiated at the annual inxwala ceremony. The king’s spiritual power was renewed through traditional mediums. Zulu was made the official language. They practised polygamy.
Economic organisation of the Zulu
They did external and internal trade. Externally they traded with ivory at Delagoa Bay. They raided other states for women, children, grain and cattle. They grew crops. They kept animals like cattle, goats and sheep. They smelted iron to make iron tools.
They mined minerals like iron, copper and gold. They hunted wild animals. All subjects paid tribute to the king in form of cattle, goats, sheep and grain. They caught fish to supplement their diet. They did gathering.
Political organisation of the Zulu under Tshaka
The king was the supreme ruler. The state was highly centralised. Defeated chiefs were often deposed and replaced by Tshaka’s appointees. The defeated were forced to speak Zulu language.
Tributary states were left in peace as long as they paid tribute to the king. The king was assisted by chiefs and councillors most of whom were relatives and those the king trusted. The Council of advisers was rendered irrelevant as Tshaka became an autocratic ruler.
Traditional chiefs were reduced to administration of local affairs. The king was the commander in chief of the army. The king had a standing army. The army went on annual raids. The king used the army to control the state.
Vassal chiefs were rewarded to remain loyal. The state was divided into regimental towns under Izindunas who were helped by a female member of the royal family. The king was the chief distributor of land. The king controlled long distance trade.
The king was the chief judge. The king was the religious leader.
Importance of the army in the Zulu political system
It was used to raid other states. It was used to expand the state. It protected both the king and the state. It was used to collect tribute. It was used to protect trade routes and hunting grounds. It was used to maintain law and order in the state. It was use to punish rebellious chiefs.
Other factors important in the Zulu political system
Chiefs, councillors and the king’s relatives helped to administer the state. Tribute payment ensured loyalty to the king. Religion was a unifying factor.
The cattle loaning system unified people.
Benefits of Tshaka’s political systemto the Zulu
Organisation along military lines strengthened the state against external aggression. Vassal chiefs obtained rewards. There was peace and security due to a standing army.
Age regimental system fostered unity amongst people of the same age. Tribute payment ensured loyalty. Raids provided wealth in form of cattle and grain. It incapacitated vassal chiefs from rebelling thereby thwarting civil wars.
Disadvantages of Tshaka’s political organisation to the Zulu
All power was centred on the king. The regimental system was resented by young men for delaying marriage and for perennial warfare. The political system made the king an absolute ruler who ignored Indunas and traditional chiefs. People lived in fear due to king’s harsh policies. There was loss of independence by the conquered.
Military reforms introduced by Tshaka
Use of long shields. Use of short stabbing spears (assegais). Absorption of defeated tribes. Going to war barefooted for greater speed. Introduction of baggage boys. He created a standing army. He introduced the cow horn formation.
All men under the age of 40 were conscripted into the army. He introduced age regiments. He introduced female regiments (Fasimba). He banned circumcision which he viewed as wastage of time.
He used spies so as to catch enemies by surprise. He used smoke signals for communication. He introduced mock battles in training. Cowardice was punished for. Tshaka’s soldiers were not allowed to be wounded at the back.
Those who were stabbed at the back were killed. He made use of witch doctors. His soldiers wore head gears (uniforms). Tshaka’s soldiers were allowed to marry at the age of 40 when they retired from the army.
He introduced the idea of total warfare, that is, total destruction of the enemy, killing the ruling families of defeated tribes and incorporating the defeated tribes. He introduced the scorched earth policy. Tshaka introduced strict discipline in the army.
Manners Msongelwa is the president of History Teachers of Zimbabwe and a teacher at Camelot college in Kwekwe