10 Things That Made Shaka Zulu A Military Genius

  Shaka Zulu is said to be one of the greatest military leaders in African history, and perhaps all of history. There is controversy around the brutality of his methods, and the strictness with which he trained his troops, but in many ways, he improved warfare methods forever. Born in 1787 in what is now South Africa’s
KwaZulu-Natal province, he died in 1828. His legacy lived on in the Zulu warriors who fought the British in 1879. The military conflict helped immortalize the Zulu in the minds of Westerners, but Zulu history was far from over in 1879. The Zulus persevered through apartheid and remain the largest ethnic group in South Africa. Here are 10 things that made Shaka Zulu a military genius.

He introduced a sword to the Zulu people

Tired of the assegai, a long pole weapon made of wood with pointed iron at the end and thrown like a javelin, Shaka Zulu introduced the ikwla, a weapon with a shorter sphere and a longer spearhead, sort of like a sword. This weapon gave Shaka’s tribe a huge advantage over their opponents when they came up close for hand-to-hand combat

He introduced cowhide shields

Shaka Zulu supposedly introduced cowhide shields, which were much stronger than the iron or wood shields used previously.

He accustomed his troops to war conditions

Some historians say that Shaka Zulu would make his troops go on 50-mile marches over rough and hot terrain for practice so they wouldn’t be fazed by difficult conditions during an actual battle. So he may have been the inventor of “drills.”

He introduced (and perhaps invented) the bull horn formation

Many historians say Shaka Zulu was the first military leader to use the bull horn formation. This is a three-part attack system in which seasoned warriors form the “chest” of the horn at the front, pinning the enemy into a position where it can be easily attacked. Younger warriors would form the “horns” and encircle the enemy, attacking from the sides, and additional warriors formed the “loins,” standing behind the “chest” with their back to the battle, protecting against any additional attackers.

He differentiated soldiers

Shaka Zulu had soldiers carry different colored or patterned shields, depending on their rank. In a troop of hundreds, this made it much easier for soldiers to know exactly where to go when forming the bull horn.

He started apprenticeships

Children over age 6 would become apprentice warriors, delivering rations, cooking supplies and weapons to real warriors. By the time children came of age, they were accustomed to being in battle surroundings and were more emotionally ready to fight.

He revolutionized South African war style

Before Shaka Zulu, South African battles are said to have consisted of a “ritualized exchange of taunts with minimal loss of life.” Shaka Zulu introduced methods that turned war into warfare.

He inspired a widely popular song

Shaka Zulu is the inspiration for a song used throughout Africa when a revered authoritative figure is celebrated. The opening lines are, “He is Shaka the unshakeable,
Thunderer-while-sitting, son of Menzi. He is the bird that preys on other birds.”

He listened to criticisms

In mourning the death of his mother, Shaka Zulu implemented drastic measures including forbidding crops to be planted, the use of milk and even executions. One Zulu member stood up to Shaka Zulu and reminded him that his mother was not the first person to ever die in their community and that some of his mourning methods were too harsh. Zulu listened, called off his mourning measures, and rewarded the brave tribe member for speaking up.

He created a mega military empire

Word of Shaka Zulu’s advanced military tactics did one of two things to neighboring tribes: they either moved far away or joined his forces, making his forces stronger and his enemies less formidable.