On Saturday, January 21, thousands of Zulu men gathered in Isandlwana to commemorate the day in 1879 when the Zulus decisively defeated the British.
It was the only battle in which Zulu spears and oxhide shields defeated British army guns and cannons, making it one of the greatest victories in Zulu history.
Also speaking at the occasion was King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
“In fact, we are here to celebrate the victory of the Zulu warriors, wherein the Zulu conquered the white guy,” stated Zulu warrior Muzi Nyandeni.
Although they were not trained troops, the Zulus improved greatly as warriors under Shaka Zulu in the early 1800s.
Major John Murphy served in the Royal Welsh Army and participated in the event.
“It’s important to commemorate the battle, because it’s such an important part of our history,” he said. “And it’s also important to both us and the Zulus and it’s commemorating fallen soldiers. Also reminds the soldiers that are serving now that it’s still important, that you are remembered for a long time. So it’s really important to commemorate this battle.”
Numerous Zulus participated in the recreation by singing and parading while wearing traditional animal skins, bone necklaces, and spears.
The Dundee Diehards’ team leader, Gavin Slater, acknowledged the significance of the incident.
“In fact Isandlwana is one of the most probably humiliating defeats of the British army ever,” he said.
Around 20,000 Zulu warriors attacked the British stronghold on January 21, 1879.
Despite the fact that the defenders were armed with weapons, the assailants drove them into a violent conflict before taking the colonial soldiers’ lives.
On the morning of the battle, almost 1,300 of the 1,700 men in the Isandlwala garrison were dead.
One of the most significant sources of pride for Zulus is victory.
