Devoir de Philosophie

Shaka.

Publié le 20/08/2013

Extrait du document

Shaka. I INTRODUCTION Shaka (1787?-1828), warrior, military leader, and king of the Zulu people of southern Africa. By the time of his death, Shaka had the largest and most powerful kingdom in southeastern Africa. II EARLY LIFE AND RISE TO POWER Shaka was born in the Zululand region of present-day southeastern South Africa. His father, Senzangakhona, was the Zulu chief, and his mother Nandi, was a daughter of Mbhengi, the chief of the Langeni people. The Langeni, like the Zulu, owed allegiance to the Mthethwa, one of the major chiefdoms in the region. Nandi, who would be Senzangakhona's third wife, conceived Shaka while still betrothed and, according to tradition, attributed her growing belly to a shaka, or intestinal beetle. Nandi reputedly had a difficult temperament, and in about 1794 Senzangakhona drove her and Shaka into exile. They took refuge among the Langeni, where, according to traditional accounts, they were looked down upon and ill-treated. In this period Shaka began to display the aggressive and domineering traits that would characterize his personality for the rest of his life. In the early 1800s Nandi married a commoner and after she bore a son Shaka left home and placed himself under the protection of Jobe, the ruler of the Mthethwa. Jobe died in about 1807 and his son Dingiswayo succeeded him. In the years that followed, the Mthethwa fought frequently for regional dominance with the Ndwandwe, who were led by Zwide. Shaka fought alongside the Mthethwa and Dingiswayo soon recognized his extraordinary military skills. He placed considerable trust in Shaka, and the young ...

« IV EVALUATION Many powerful myths surround Shaka’s life, making it difficult for people to appraise him rationally.

As the founder of the Zulu kingdom—a kingdom whose traditionsand influence survive to this day—Shaka is celebrated for his military prowess, and he serves as a potent symbol of Zulu national pride.

For many Europeans, however,he has always epitomized the stereotypical savage African tyrant.

Indeed, oral traditions regarding his cruelty have been preserved among the descendants of theAfrican people he conquered as well.

Yet local and regional politicians continue to invoke his name to attract support, and artists, writers, and filmmakers never tire ofstudying him.

No matter how he is regarded, Shaka remains the dominant figure in Zulu history. Contributed By:John LabandMicrosoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation.

All rights reserved.. »

↓↓↓ APERÇU DU DOCUMENT ↓↓↓

Liens utiles