Drought as a force for historical change: the origins of the Shakan revolution reconsidered

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Book chapter

Title:	Drought as a force for historical change: the origins of the Shakan revolution reconsidered
Author:	Ballard, C.C.
Book title:	Natal in the colonial period: a collection of papers on development in Natal before Union. - Pietermaritzburg: Department of historical studies, University of Natal
Year:	1985
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Natal South Africa
Subjects:	droughts history Zulu polity
Abstract:	One of the more intriguing and controversial debates in South African historiography has centred around explaining the origins of the Mfecane/Difaqane or 'Shakan Revolution', an era in the first quarter of the 19th century when a rapid and fundamental reshaping of African societies in southeastern Africa took place. The article discusses the natural and cultural causes of the revolution and shows that a 'conjunctive relationship' between climate and culture is responsible. - Notes.