MovieChat Forums > Zulu (1964) Discussion > Zulus were invaders too

Zulus were invaders too

posted 11 years ago by DeutschlandUberAlles
13 replies | jump to latest

The reason fighting between the Zulus and British was so fierce is because the Zulus were trying to expand their empire at the same time the British were.

The real native people of Southern Africa are the Bushmen, who have been largely subjugated and pushed onto reservation types areas. The Bantu tribes that make up the majority of South Africa today were originally invaders from Central Africa.

In many ways the Bushmen are the forgotten victims of racism and oppression in Southern Africa.

The Bantu Africans have no right to complain about racism because the land belongs to them no more than it does to the British or Dutch!

[–] nickm2 11 years ago

Well to be fair that's hardly unique in human history---of course it seems only Britons & Americans have a 'class' of people & educators who make a career out of beating their own country up over their past history...

[–] BuddyLove63 11 years ago

And the Zulus butchered more fellow Zulus than the British ever ever did.

[–] nickm2 11 years ago

Hell the Zulu empire apparently killed 3 million people to establish a kingdom of 300,000 subjects--no wonder everytime they hiccuped the neighboring tribes got into a tizzy...

[–] BuddyLove63 11 years ago

Yep....and that's why the black Africans tended to side with the British and not the Zulus. They were far more terrified of the Zulus.

[–] nickm2 11 years ago

I'm also certain that anything the Zulus did sent millions of African running to British controlled territory.

[–] The24thFoot 11 years ago

Many people overlook the fact the British forces had thousands of native auxiliaries, particularly Swazi warriors. This of course is not to mention the Natal Native Horse, Natal Native Contingent, Natal Native Pioneers, Native Border Guard, etc. The Natal Mounted Police also had native assistants in addition to the White troopers.

[–] nickm2 11 years ago

And for sure the Swazi got no love for the Zulu...can't imagine how they felt; somewhere between wanting to protect their families & 'getting their own back'...

[–] ronfirv 11 years ago

In addition to watching films on the Zulu, more folks should read about these peoples.
A biography of iShaka would be an ideal start - an outstanding story by any standard. I would recommend Shaka Zulu by E.A. Ritter for a good start.

[–] BuddyLove63 11 years ago

And the black natives in the NNC were paid a better wage than the British redcoat soldiers in the 24th. That's a little known fact.

[–] rglasby 11 years ago

And the black natives in the NNC were paid a better wage than the British redcoat soldiers in the 24th. That's a little known fact

I find that hard to believe, what is your source on that?

[–] BuddyLove63 11 years ago

I find that hard to believe, what is your source on that?

Colonel Mike Snook's book How Can Man Die Better.

Believe it or not. It was true. Redcoats weren't paid very well at all.

[–] jsrrtzjr10 11 years ago

With that "logic", if my neighbor kills and rob, I have the excuse to "kill and rob". Isn't that lowering yourself?

[–] Hammerfanatic46 11 years ago

It is certainly fair to say that no nation or people can claim to be innocent. Territorial aggression is part of the Human condition and all we can do is try to control it .

I am optimistic in the long-term, but I think we have a long way to go as a species in that regard.

Gordon P. Clarkson