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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | British Boundary Adjustments and the uSuthu-Mandlakazi Conflict in Zululand,1879-1904 |
Author: | Laband, John P.C. |
Year: | 1994 |
Periodical: | South African Historical Journal |
Issue: | 30 |
Pages: | 33-60 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | South Africa Zululand Great Britain |
Subjects: | colonialism boundaries History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Military, Defense and Arms Ethnic and Race Relations |
External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02582479408671781 |
Abstract: | Northern Zululand in the period between the British destruction of the Zulu kingdom in 1879, and the throwing open of the territory in 1904 to white settlement, suffered interminable bouts of bloodshed as two opposing factions, the uSuthu and the Mandlakazi, became locked in seemingly unresolvable hostility. Historiographical writings on this period to date have emphasized the baleful consequences of 'Shepstonism' in Zululand. This article explores an additional theme, namely the role of the various boundaries the imperial and colonial authorities laid down in Zululand between 1879 and 1904. Such boundaries had a specific purpose in terms of policy, and played a quite crucial part in both creating and solving discord and conflict. When the British laid down precise boundaries, first in 1879, then again in 1883, twice in 1888 and once more in 1890, they were imposing an alien concept on the Zulu and disregarding existing political and social realities. Only in their delimitation of 1891 did they take full cognizance of the actual location on the ground of the 'imizi' (homesteads) adhering to the various chiefs, and drew the boundaries accordingly. The creation in 1904 of Reserve no. XII represented the final pacification of this region of South Africa in the interests of colonial administration. Notes, ref. |