Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-21
FAMOUS ZULU CHIEFS
ChiKa Had Conquered a Large
Portion of Africa.
FOUNDED THE BLACK NATION
Death Offering to the Spirit of the
Kings Mother.
DINGANE AND KETCHWAY0
First and Last Conflicts With the
Trekking Beers and Invading
English.
FOUNDED THE BLACK NATION
DINGANE AND KETCHWAYo


written LOT Inc StHIs
The major and by far the most interest
ing portion of the history Of the zulus,
number of whom have lately been in rebel
lion against the British can be studied IN
the careers of Zululands three most IA
nous chiefs paramount or kings. These
are Chaka. Dingane and Ketchwayo.
Chaka came into power when his people
were inferior in the art of war and prac-
tically tributary to another tribe In
few years he had made them all-powerful
and given shape to their history until this
day Dingane was the first Zulu to clash
with advancing civilization in the persons
of the Beers. Ketchwayo fought the BTU
ish in 1879, his soldiers killed a prince or
the house of Napoleon, and when he sur
rendered the liberty Of Zululand passed
away forever.
From the time Chaka began TO mold
the Zulu nation until 1t became colony
of Great Britain there is a span of less
than three-quarters OF a century Yet III
this time scores of wars were waged, count
less cruelties perpetrated in the name OF
the kings. Zululand rose, declined and zen
as an independent power.
Chaka was the greatest king of the Zulus
He was the son OF SeZagacone, who rulea
before him. He was born about liSl,
When he was fifteen years old mis- Iather
ing for the life of herself and son, against.
whom the king made threats, fed to the
Amatetwa tribe, whose chief UdlnSlSWayo
held the Zulus tributary. Chaka entered
the Amatetwa army and by Skin ana
courage soon raised himself from private
soldier to an induna OF considerable repu-
tatton BY the time of his fathers death
he had become a great favorite in his
adopted country, his fame had reached
Zululand, and so he was called by his own
people to be their king About the same
time his protector died and Chaka also be-
came head of the Amatetwa tribe.
Then ne began as bloody career of war
as ever was known in lower Africa. With
the united .Amatetwa and Zulu armies ne
swept the country far and near. Tribe
after tribe came under his yoke. Whole re-
gions were depopulated to a man; the birds
and beasts Of carrlon were given more
work in g. day than they could do IN q
year In 1922 he had pushed his authority
half way across the African continent from
the seacoast and from Umzlmvubu- or St
Johns, on the southwest, to Inhambane on
the northeast. Tens Of thousands must
have fallen before his assegai at one time
or another for 1t was his custom to show
no mercy to a defeated army or the inhab-
itants of villages run across during the
course of a campaign.
But the bloodiest and cruelest of all
Chaka's acts was that which marked the
death and burial of his mother An I'M
willing and Mortified witness was white
man OF the name of Flynn, who had been
rescued from shipwreck by Chaka and ia
yored by the latter's friendship. Mr.. Flynn
has recorded what he heard and saw
How Chaka Mourned.
GAS soon as the death was announced
the women and the men who were present
tore from their persons every description
of ornament.
"Chaka now appeared before the hut in
which the body lay. For about twenty
minutes he stood in silent mournful atti
tude. After two or three deep signs he
broke out into fanatic yells
"This signal was sufficient. The chief
and people to the number of about fifteen
thousand commenced the most dismal and
horrible lamentations All through the
night this continued, none daring to take
a rest or to refresh themselves with water.
1.-THE morning dawned. and before noon
the number had increased to sixty thou
sand The cries became indescribabiy hor-
rible. Hundreds were lying faint from ia
tigue, while the carcaSses of forty oxen lay
| In a heap These had been slaughtered as
an offering to the guardian spirits OF the
tribe
Gle with Chaka In their center, and sang
| a war song. At the close Chaka ordered
some men to be executed on the spot, and
the cries became more violent.
mo further orders were needed. The
multitude commenced general massacre.
Toward the afternoon I calculated that
seven thousand people had fallen Amid
| this scene stood unharmed and felt as II
the whole universe was coming to an end.
.sThe sun set again, and Chaka now put
| an end to this general massacre The cries
continued until 10 o'clock the following
morning. when the chief became somewhat
paciled, and his subjects were permitted
to take some refreshmert
ION the second day Chstka's mother was
hurled, and ten Of the best looking girls OF
| the kraai were buried alive with her.
was told this; was not allowed to be
present.
regiment to anard the grave About
| 1900 head az cattle were set apart for
their uso ~ offerings to tho spirits OF the