Re: The joy of Democracy

On Fri, 1 Nov 2024, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 01/11/2024 01:40, rbowman wrote:

On Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:50:38 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
 

On Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:43:57 +0000, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
 

"What's the name of this (picking up a cross head screwdriver) in Zulu"
"We don't have a name for it".

 I suppose “AK-47” is not a term that needs translating. ;)

 When a Brit get's too prideful about Zulus mention thr Battle of
Isandlwana.

>
No pride involved. Zulus are pretty damn good people as far as I am concerned.
Intelligent and courageous.
>
No one ever sold Zulus into slavery...

Were Zulus ever sold into slavery?
Yes, the Zulu people were indeed subjected to slavery, particularly during the 19th century. The context of their enslavement is tied to various socio-political and economic factors that characterized the region during this period.
Historical Context of Zulu Enslavement
The Zulu kingdom, established by King Shaka in the early 19th century, became a powerful entity in southeastern Africa. However, as European colonial interests expanded in southern Africa, the dynamics of power shifted significantly. The British and other colonial powers sought control over land and labor, leading to conflicts with indigenous groups, including the Zulus.
Slave Trade Dynamics
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, there was a significant demand for labor in plantations across the Americas and on islands such as Mauritius and Réunion. This demand fueled a slave trade that affected many African communities. While much of this trade involved individuals from coastal regions or areas further north, it also extended into southern Africa.
The Zulu people were not immune to these practices. After military conflicts such as the Anglo-Zulu War (1879), many Zulus were captured and sold into slavery or forced labor. The chaos resulting from these conflicts often led to raids by both colonial forces and rival African groups seeking to capture individuals for sale or forced labor.
Impact of Colonial Policies
Colonial policies further exacerbated the situation for the Zulu people. The British implemented systems that facilitated the capture and sale of Africans into servitude. For instance, after defeating Cetshwayo in 1879, many Zulus were displaced from their lands and subjected to harsh labor conditions under colonial rule.
Additionally, during this period, some Zulus were sold into slavery within South Africa itself or exported to other regions where they would work under brutal conditions on plantations or in domestic servitude.
Conclusion
In summary, while traditional forms of slavery may not have been prevalent among the Zulu before European contact, significant numbers of Zulus were indeed sold into slavery during the colonial era due to warfare, displacement caused by conflict, and economic exploitation by colonial powers.