Today we’re looking at Shaka Zulu, full name Shaka kaSenzangakhonaShaka Zulu (July 1787 – 9/24/1828) was the most influential ruler of the Zulu Kingdom, greatly expanding both its territory and the Zulu people’s power in southern AfricaSome notable feats or facts include>Born a bastard to King Senzangakhona, sent away to his mom’s tribe. During this time the Zulu were primarily pastoral>Became a warrior under the strongest regional tribe, the Mtethwa, under Dingiswayo>When the Ndwandwe king murdered Dingiswayo, he locked the king’s mom in a house filled with hyenas and jackals>Popularized the iklwa (short spear) as the primary Zulu weapon over longer assegais (throwing spear). Shifted the Zulu to close-range rush tactics. Also popularized the cowhide isihlangu shield, used to disarm the enemy>Stopped the Zulu from throwing their weapon in battle with violent execution for any who lost their iklwa>Developed many innovative tactics during this time, chief among them the “bull horn” pincer technique. Brilliant tactician>Infamous for ruthlessness, violence, and punishments. Feared by his subjects as much as he was admired>Became king in 1816. Militarized the Zulu and destroyed the Ndwandwe kingdom/people. >The military success and aggressiveness of the Zulu drove many southern African groups from the area as part of the Mfecane>Allowed Europeans to enter the Zulu kingdom after a doctor gave him medical treatment >Became erratic after the death of his mother in 1827 and enacted multiple self-destructive laws>Assassinated in 1828 by his half-brothers following multiple other attemptsWhat do you think of the guy whose name means “intestinal beetle”?Link to previous thread: >>18693769
>>18695509SHAKA BRAH
>>18695509How different would Zulu history be if he hadn't gone mad with grief?
>>18695509he was the first African leader to really utilize battlefield tactics instead of traditional warfare which was mostly just ritualized displays designed to intimidate the enemy army and battles would be relatively bloodless
>>18695637The zulu warrior is displaying indigenous African weaponry. Everything else they have is imported from elsewhere.
Shaka was so terrified his sons would kill him that he had every son of his killed. He had a hundred or so wives and concubines and each time they gave birth to a boy he was immediately taken and killed.
>>18695632Southern Africa would be depopulated even more so the boers would have a harder time settling
>>18695637This could definitely be true for much of Bantu territory, but I seriously doubt such a description would fit warfare in West-Africa.
>>18695717Same, ain’t no way he was the first dude on the whole continent to be a tactical genius when people like the Ashanti exist
>intestinal beetlethanks for one more cannot unlearn
>>18695660Mental.
>>18696303Which is weird because there aren't any species of beetles that do that to my knowledge>>18696306After his mom died, he forbade any women getting pregnant. If they did he killed their whole familyHe also banned milk (one of the prime food sources), banned planting any crops or growing for a whole year, executed people for not mourning his mom enough, and slaughtered mom cows in front of their calves so the calves would know the pain of losing your motherHe was already a bit of a crazy fuck, but losing his mom sent him over the edge
>>18695660He took the Saturn pill
has a great epic rap battles of history song about him
>>18695660freaking insane
