The Zulus are considered to be the most fearsome warriors Africa has ever produced, and they can thank Shaka Zulu for that reputation. Shaka was the ruler of the Zulus from 1816 until his assassination in 1828. During this time, Shaka revolutionised the Zulu military. He replaced the traditional long throwing spear (Assegai) with a short stabbing spear (Iklwa) with a broader blade. The Zulu pronunciation of i-klwa is said to be the noise the spear made as it was throughst into and then withdrawn from an enemies body.
Shaka also arranged logistical support for his huge armies and arranged them into grades of regiment, each with their own distinctive names and patterns on their shields. Shaka was also responsible for developing the famous Zulu battle tactics known as the "Buffalo Horns" (impondo zenkomo). This tactic had originally been utilized by the Zulus for hunting but King Shaka modified it for battle with devastating effect.
The Buffalo Horns formation would see the Zulus break up their impi into 4 clear components. Each one symbolized a portion of the Buffalo; the chest area (isifuba), left & right horns (izimpondo) along with the loins (umuva).
The Chest from the Buffalo normally would attack the opposing forces directly. This part of the Zulu impi would often consist of the finest warriors, tested in combat.
As the Chest of the Buffalo was holding down the enemy, the Horns would move off to the left and right, encircling the opposition. All survivors got the choice to join the Zulus, the other choice was death. Individuals who joined the Zulu army became Zulu warriors. These people renounced their preceding tribal loyalties and received complete Zulu instruction. The warriors who made up the Left & Right Horns would mostly consist of more youthful, speedier warriors that could proceed swiftly to surround the enemy.
The remaining Zulus, the Loins, were ordinarily the more mature, more experienced warriors who were held in reserve for use as and when necessary. They would also be held out of sight of the battle or even 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 battleground and pass on their directions with a number of runners.
The "Buffalo Horns" tactics were used by the Zulus in tribal battles and continued to be used many years after Shaka's death. On 22nd January 1879 when the Zulus attacked the British camp at Isandlwana, it was seen by many as a terrible British defeat but maybe 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 over the world, the Zulu is remembered as a brave and formidable warrior. In the phonetic alphabet, the letter 'Z' is identified by the word 'Zulu'.
Their heritage also brings tourists to this part of South Africa with people going to look at the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.
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Kduringg Shaka is the most well-known of all the Zulu kduringgs. He help defduringe their legacy and fought so bravely during the
Anglo Zulu war of 1879.
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