Zululand population 1879?

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-07-03

Is there a reliable figure for the estimated size of the population of Zululand at the time of the AZW?

Thanks in advance.

Subject: Re: Zululand population 1879? Mon Jul 12, 2021 8:44 am

If I remember correctly from a book I read long ago the population at the time of the war was between 400 and 500,000, but don't hold me to it.

Subject: Re: Zululand population 1879? Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:57 am

Altamont this may assist
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A comment is made that the black population of Natal was bigger than in Zululand.

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-07-03

Thank you gentlemen for your input.

One of the footnotes in the paper linked by Frank shows an estimate for Zululand of 200,000 and gives the black population of Natal at about 320,000 in 1879. Apparently the Whites in Natal, mostly British immigrants, were outnumbered 15 to one by the Africans, so a figure approaching 350,000 in total would be about right. I believe Colenso stated the Zulu army totalled 35,000 (approximately 35% of the entire male population!).