Who Was

Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Shaka was born around 1787.
He was illegitimate, the son of a
chief who didn’t acknowledge him,
and grew up under the care of his
mother.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Shaka rose from nothing to become
the King of an amalgamation of
tribes that came to be known as the
Zulu.
He did this through a combination of
ruthlessness, cunning, and a
willingness to change and adapt.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

His kingdom was in southeast
Africa.
His capital, Bulawayo, meant “the
place where they are killed.”
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

He transformed the way people in
his part of the world did battle.
He imposed what might be
considered a Spartan type of
training system for his warriors.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

He is credited with designing the iKlwa
a short spear with a long blade. The
name comes from the sound if makes
when pulled out of a victim. It not to be
thrown but wielded, in concert with the
shield, in close quarters battle.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

He also organized his army into
impi or regiments. He based his
battle formation on the bull. With
two horns on the flanks, a chest to
either attack or feign attack, then
retreat and draw the enemy in, and
the loins to finish the enemy off.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Who Was Shaka Zulu?

There are many legends and myths
about him, but little direct source
material. Some say he made his
men go barefoot to toughen their
feet; others say it was a capital
offense for a warrior to not have his
leather sandals.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Shaka was very close to his mother.
When she died, it is said he killed
over 7,000 of his own people
because he didn’t believe they were
mourning sufficiently.
He ordered all women who became
pregnant during the year of
mourning to be killed along with
their husbands.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

He did forbid his troops from
marrying. He used young boys to
carry supplies for his army.
Any warrior found with a wound on
his back would be executed.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

The key was to close on the enemy,
use the edge of the shield to pull
away the enemy’s shield, then stab
them with the iKlwa or bash them
with the iWisa.

Shaka actually welcomed whites
into his territory, although he only
met them four years before his
death.
This was because a white man
healed him after he was wounded.
Whites founded Port Natal.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Shaka was assassinated in 1828.
Most say it was his half-brother who
did it.
Regardless, the move was met with
overall relief by the Zulu people.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Unfortunately, his reign started the
Mfecane, also known as the
‘scattering’. As he expanded his
empire, the tribes around him
moved outward, conquering other
tribes. This upheaval which
continued long after his death, killed
an estimated 1 to 2 million Africans.
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Most have heard of the Zulus in
terms of the Battle of Isandlwana.
However, this occurred over 50
years after his death. However, the
tactics remained the same.

But what if . . .
Who Was Shaka Zulu?

Travel back in time to Zululand in
1828.
Where he meets Shaka Zulu in the
last year of the great king’s life.
And they face a threat that could
make mankind extinct.
Eagle’s Mission: Hallows Eve

31 October. Hallows Eve
1517
1692
1828
1941
1984
Zero Year
What do they all have in common?
A day when history stood in the balance.

Click on Image for links

www.bobmayer.com
About the author: Bob Mayer up in the Bronx, New York
City; graduated West Point, served in the Infantry
including leading a recon platoon in the First Cav
Division, and then Special Forces (Green Berets),
commanding an A-Team and other assignments. After
leaving active duty he studied martial arts in the Orient
and was brought back for numerous ADSW (Active Duty
Special Work) tours in Special Operations.
He’s lived on an island off the east coast, an island off
the west coast, in the Rocky Mountains, the hill country of
Texas, the first of New England, the Appalachians and
other places.
They haven’t caught up to him yet.
He is the New York Times bestselling author of over 80
books.