Shaka kaSenzangakhona also known as Shaka Zulu, was born in 1787. He was the most significant monarchs of the Zulu kingdom. He was born near present day Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal Province on the Mhlatuze River. His mother Nandi (1760-1827) was a daughter of Bhebhe, a past chief of theLangeni tribe and the mother of the legendary Shaka, King of the Zulu’s. His father Senzangakhona kaJama, chief of the Zulu clan, which was small and insignificant at the time.
In the late 18th century, the Zulus were an obscure Nguni tribe of some 1,500 people, ruled by a petty chief named Senzangakhona. In either 1786 or 1787, he met Nandi, a woman of the eLangeni tribe, while traveling and the two engaged in the Nguni institution of uku-hlobonga, designed to …show more content…
The first thing he did that made him a military genious was that he introduced new weapons to the Zulu people as mentioned above. Tired of the assegai which was a long pole weapon made of wood with pointed iron at the end and thrown like a javelin and this gave the Zulu people a huge advantage. The second thing was cowhide shields, Shaka Zulu supposedly introduced cowhide shields, which were much stronger than the iron or wood shields used previously. The third thing was that he accustomed his troops to war conditions so they wouldn’t be fazed by difficult conditions during battle. The forth thing was that he collected troops like they were acorns. The fifth thing was his strict military decrees which earned him respect and the confidence and support of the people. He also introduced the bull horn invention, This is a three-part attack system in which seasoned warriors form the “chest” of the horn at the front, pinning the enemy into a position where it can be easily attacked. Younger warriors would form the “horns” and encircle the enemy, attacking from the sides, and additional warriors formed the “loins,” standing behind the “chest” with their back to the battle, protecting against any additional attackers. The sixth thing was that he made his soldiers remain
In the late 18th century, the Zulus were an obscure Nguni tribe of some 1,500 people, ruled by a petty chief named Senzangakhona. In either 1786 or 1787, he met Nandi, a woman of the eLangeni tribe, while traveling and the two engaged in the Nguni institution of uku-hlobonga, designed to …show more content…
The first thing he did that made him a military genious was that he introduced new weapons to the Zulu people as mentioned above. Tired of the assegai which was a long pole weapon made of wood with pointed iron at the end and thrown like a javelin and this gave the Zulu people a huge advantage. The second thing was cowhide shields, Shaka Zulu supposedly introduced cowhide shields, which were much stronger than the iron or wood shields used previously. The third thing was that he accustomed his troops to war conditions so they wouldn’t be fazed by difficult conditions during battle. The forth thing was that he collected troops like they were acorns. The fifth thing was his strict military decrees which earned him respect and the confidence and support of the people. He also introduced the bull horn invention, This is a three-part attack system in which seasoned warriors form the “chest” of the horn at the front, pinning the enemy into a position where it can be easily attacked. Younger warriors would form the “horns” and encircle the enemy, attacking from the sides, and additional warriors formed the “loins,” standing behind the “chest” with their back to the battle, protecting against any additional attackers. The sixth thing was that he made his soldiers remain