Zulu accounts of certain aspects of Isandlwana

Last edited by SRB1965 on Sat Nov 04, 2023 11:12 am; edited 1 time in total

I am plodding through the 'Zulu' section of Witnesses At Isandlwana.

First of all I have no doubt there is a core of truth about the events I'm going to mention.

Three Zulu accounts mention the 'Last of the 24th' - one says he charged out with fixed bayonet when out of ammo and two say they shot him - the convention ending.

Two accounts recount the 'Shadows' tale.

None of the accounts, as far as I can tell (apart from the two below) claim to be involved in the event or even to have witnessed it first hand (obviously Muti went mad for a while.....but then was cured - I can't quite workout what Muti's mental health has to do with anything)

I often wonder about Muti's victim - he is described as a 'soldier' but presumably he wasn't a member of the 24th (speaking Zulu? - probably unlikely)

According to one (first hand) account it was the son of 'a' Ntishigwayo (maybe 'the' Ntishigwayo?) who killed the officer writing in his tent - but he doesn't describe him as the 'induna of the army'.

Drinking paraffin - seems quite common - one witness says he actually did it.....

Cheers

Simon

Sime
I believe the second volume is the 'Aftermath' and will contain additional Zulu accounts.
Maybe Mike will confirm

Cheers

Re-reading them, I think two accounts of the 'caveman' are from the same Zulu - one from the Zulu and second taken from this account - the relevant accounts are almost WfW identical.

Posts : 268 Join date : 2017-07-21 Location : San Diego, CA

Hi, glad to confirm that a second volume is in the works with plenty of newly discovered accounts. Some Zulu, some colonial and some British.

Thanks a lot, I look forward to it.

Subject: zulu accounts of certain aspects of Isandlwana Wed Nov 08, 2023 3:40 am

Excellent news Weekend Warrior
90th Salute

I echo that and hope the standard is as high as volume 1. It will be worth every penny. (Cent?)

Posts : 268 Join date : 2017-07-21 Location : San Diego, CA

Julian, thank you for the kind words. We couldn't have done this project without your assistance. I think you'll really like the second volume. It's going to include Soldier letters, burial accounts, family letters (including two from Edgar Anstey and one from his family - the former courtesy of Alexander Haimann). We're also going to publish quite a few participant accounts we missed for the first Witnesses. I'm quite frankly excited about this one!

I must say, WAI was one of the last books, I have got my hands on and I was very impressed with it.

Simon

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