What is a Zulu country?

/kloc-Zulu warriors in the late 0/9th century (with some Europeans in the background)

Total population: about160,000 (200 1 year [1])

Distribution: KwaZulu-natal province: 7.6 million,

Gauteng province:1900,000,

Mpu Malanga Province: 800,000 people,

Free province:140,000,

(Estimated value of 200 1 year [2])

Language: Zulu, some languages are English or Afrikaans.

Religious belief: Christianity, animism.

Native place: Bantu.

Ng'Uni language

Bassoto (Bassoto)

Kosa people

Swazi

Matabelle (Matabelle)

Zulu is an African nation with a population of about 1.0 1 10,000, and mainly lives in KwaZulu-natal province. Their language is Isizulu, which evolved from Bantu (Bantu is a subgroup of Ng'Uni). Zulu Kingdom is an important role in the history of South Africa in the19th century. Under the apartheid system, Zulu people were classified as second-class citizens and were severely discriminated against. In South Africa today, Zulu is the most populous race and enjoys the same rights as other South Africans.

In about 1709, Zulu Canto Mhira established Zulu in the present KwaZulu-nuttall province. At that time, Zulu was only a small tribe, and the local area was mainly occupied by many small Ng'Uni tribes and clans (also known as imzi).

kingdom

The Rise of Zulu under Xiaka's Rule

Shakazulu is the illegitimate child of Zulu leader Senzangakona. He was born around 1787. He and his mother (Nandi) were exiled by Sinzangkona, and they fled to Mthethwa. Shaka became a soldier under Dingiswayo, the leader of Mtwa. After Sinzankona's death, Dingiswayo helped Shaga become a Zulu leader. The two tribes became allies and fought side by side. Dingiswayo was later killed by Zwede, the leader of Enwandewei. Mtwa merged into Zulu and accepted the rule of Xiaka.

Shaka continued to carry out Dingiswayo's military reform, established a team system, adopted a standard strategy, ruled the troops with an iron fist, and expanded Zulu's territory with strategy. He attacked and conquered many tribes in Zululan and established Zulu State. At this time, Zulu became a big tribe between Tugela River and Pungola River. This expansion forced many tribes in Zululan area to migrate, which was called Mfecane (also known as soil abandonment movement). There have also been many internal struggles in this process, which is called Zulu Civil War in history.

Ding Gang's bloody usurpation

Dingane and Mlangana conspired to kill their brother Shaka (three half-brothers). After at least two assassinations, they finally killed Shaka.

After Sharjah was killed, Ding Gang killed Mlangana who conspired with him, succeeded in usurping the throne and ascended the throne of the king. After he succeeded to the throne, he first executed several royal relatives. In the following years, in order to secure the throne, Ding Gang executed several supporters of Xiaka.

Mpande, another half-brother of Ding Gang, was considered too weak to dare, so he became one of the survivors of the bloody usurpation.

The Conflict with Immigrant Pioneers and Mpande's Inheritance

1837, 10, Piet Retief, the leader of Voortrekker, went to Dinggang Village to negotiate the land distribution between pioneers and Zulu people. In June of 5438+065438+ 10, about 1 0,000 wagons of immigrant pioneers arrived in KwaZulu-natal province from the Free State of Orange via Drakensberg.

Ding Gang asked Steve to return the cattle stolen by his team. On February 3rd, 1838, Steve returned the cow. The next day, the two sides signed a treaty, and Dinggang ceded the land south of the Tugra River to the Mzinwubu River to the immigrant pioneers. A series of celebrations began. On February 6th, the last day of the celebration, Steve's team was invited to the dance and asked them to leave the caravan. Halfway through the dance, Ding Gang suddenly stood up and shouted "Bambani Aba Takagi!" Zulu, Kill the Wizards. Restif and his colleagues were immediately subdued and taken to kwaMatiwane Mountain for execution. It is believed that they were killed because they detained some cows that should have been returned, which angered Ding Gang.

Ding Gang's army then attacked the camp of the immigrant vanguard, and about 500 men, women and children of the immigrant vanguard were all slaughtered, and none of them were spared. The place where the bloody massacre took place is now named Weenen (meaning "crying" in Dutch).

Other members of the immigrant pioneers voted to elect Andries Pretorius as the new leader. 1838 12 16, Ding Gang sent troops to attack the immigrant pioneers on the banks of the Blood River. Biletous led 470 pioneers of immigration and formed a phalanx with multiple wagons to resist the Zulu army of 1000 to 20,000 soldiers. Biletus's phalanx strategy was a great success. About 3,000 Zulu soldiers were killed, only three immigrant pioneers were injured and no one died. This battle is called "The Battle of the Blood River" in history.

After being defeated, Ding Gang burned down his palace and fled to the north. Mpande (a half-blood brother who survived because he was regarded as a coward by Ding Gang) led 17000 supporters to betray Ding Gang, and joined forces with Biletus and immigration pioneers to declare war on Ding Gang. Ding Gang was finally assassinated on the present Swazi border. Mpande replaced Ding Gang as king of Zulu.

Sechiwayo's succession

After Ding Gang's death, in 1839, the immigrant pioneers led by Biletus established the Republic of natalia, which was located in the south of Tukla and the west of the then British colony Natal (now Durban). Mpande maintained a peaceful relationship with Biletus. However, in 1842, a war broke out between England and Bohr, and Natalia was annexed by England. Mpande turned to form an alliance with Britain to maintain friendly relations.

1843, Mpande ordered the eradication of all dissidents and/or suspected dissidents in the kingdom. As a result, countless people were killed, and thousands of people fled to KwaZulu-natal province, which was then under British administration. Many refugees fled with their cows. Mpande searched the area and invaded Swaziland on 1852. Britain later intervened to force Mpande to withdraw.

At the same time, Mpande's two sons, Cetshwayo and Mbuyazi, had a dispute over the succession to the throne. 1856, Mbuyaz was killed by his brother Sechiwayo. Sechiwayo planned to usurp his father's regime. Finally, 1872, Mpande died of old age and Sechiwayo succeeded him.

The decline of the kingdom

Anglo-Zu War

1878 65438+February 1 1 day, friel, a British colonial official in South Africa, issued an ultimatum to 14 Zulu elders on behalf of the king of the motherland. The content of the ultimatum was very harsh and unreasonable, and it was immediately rejected by Sechiwayo. This ultimatum was deliberately designed to make Sechiwayo refuse and create an excuse for British aggression. 65438+February 3 1, the ultimatum period expired, the British army crossed the Tukla River, and the Anglo-Zu War officially kicked off. At the beginning of the war, on October 22nd, 65438/kloc-0, the Zulu people were defeated by the British in the battle of Yishan. The war continued, and finally in the Battle of Ulundi, which broke out on July 4th, Britain defeated Zulu and ended the Anglo-Zulu War.

Kingdom Division and the Death of Sichiwayo

A month after the failure, Sechiwayo was arrested and exiled to Cape Town. The British adopted the policy of divide and rule and divided Zulu into 13 Emirates. There were frequent disputes between chiefs, and Zulu fell into civil war. 1882, Sechiwayo was allowed to go to England to meet Queen Victoria and other important people.

1883, Sechiwayo was allowed to return to Zululan and restore the throne. On the condition that he can't provoke any more disputes and rebuild the military system. Sechiwayo just returned to a much smaller territory than before. Subsequently, Sechiwayo was attacked by usi bepu( 13 chief, supported by Boer mercenaries) in Ulundi, and Sechiwayo escaped injured. 1884 In February, Sechiwayo died (probably poisoned), and his son Dinizulu, who was only 15 years old at that time, succeeded him.

Dinizuru and Boer mercenaries

Dinizuru recruited Boer mercenaries to fight UZibhebhu and promised land as a reward. These mercenaries call themselves "Dinizuru volunteers" and are led by louis botha. 1884, Dini Zulu's volunteers defeated UZibhebhu, gained half of Zululan's land and established their own * * * republic.

This incident has attracted the attention of Britain. 1887, the British annexed Zululan, and Zulu officially became a British colony.

Subsequently, Dinizulu clashed with the enemy, and the British government arrested Dinizulu and charged him with treason and public violence. 1889, Dinizulu was sentenced to imprisonment in St. Helena for 10 years.

Apartheid period

KwaZulu Black Home

Under the apartheid system, the British government established black homes in KwaZulu for Zulu people to live in. 1970 "Bantu-Toustain Citizenship Law" listed Zulu as KwaZulu citizens, which caused Zulu people to lose their South African citizenship and all their rights in South Africa. Millions of Zulu people living outside KwaZulu were forced to move into KwaZulu.

By 1993, about 5.2 million Zulu people lived in KwaZulu, and about 2 million people lived in other parts of South Africa.

KwaZulu, founded in 1970, consists of several plots of land. Until 1994, Mangosuthu Buthelezi served as prime minister.

1994, KwaZulu merged with nuttall to become the present KwaZulu-natal province.

Inkatha (Inkatha)

Major projects: Inkata Freedom Party.

1975, Buthelezi founded Inkatha Yakwazulu (predecessor of Inkata Freedom Party). This organization is ostensibly an anti-apartheid movement, but its position is milder than that of the African National Congress. For example, Inkatha opposes armed resistance and sanctions against South Africa. At the beginning, Ingata maintained a good relationship with the African National Congress, but from the 1980 s, differences gradually began.

Inkatha became the only person recognized by the apartheid government as representing black South Africans because of his moderate stance (other organizations, including the African National Congress, were boycotted). Inkatha secretly received government funding and guerrilla training.

Political violence conflict

1985 in kwazulu-nuttall province, a bloody armed conflict broke out among members of the anti-apartheid movement, and fighters were armed with AK-47 automatic rifles. This political conflict mainly occurred between Inkatha and the African National Congress. Violent clashes continued until 1990.

Subsequently, preparations for the first national election began, blacks won the right to vote and the African National Congress was dissolved.

Near the election period, the violence escalated again as supporters of various units competed for control of the constituency.

Modern Zulu people

The modern Zulu people are divided into rural areas and urban areas. Although KwaZulu-natal province is still their main place of residence, many people have moved to gauteng province, where the economy is more prosperous.

In fact, Zulu is still the most widely used language, followed by Afrikaans and English.

Zulu people play an important role in South African politics. Former South African Vice President Jacob Zuma and current Vice President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka are Zulu.

music

Ladysmith Black Mambazo) (2005) The Zulu people's singing style and their Ng'Uni style are worth mentioning. Music is valued in most parts of Africa because it conveys musical emotions, which words cannot do. Zulu music consists of rhythm, melody and harmony.

Maskandi and Mbhaqanga (urban music) are Zulu music categories. The famous Muskadi musicians are Phuzekhemisi and Mfazomnyama.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, an internationally renowned Zulu group, is one of the artists who spread Zulu music tradition to the world. After recording the album Elegant Garden with paul simon, the band traveled around the world and won two Grammy Awards.

Language [edit]

Zulu is Isizzulu. Zulu is the most widely used language in South Africa, and more than half of the South African population knows Zulu (according to Ethnologue 2005). Many Zulu people also know English, Afrikaans and other official South African languages 1 1.