As seen throughout the rule of the British Empire, Africans were seen as inferior beings. In addition to this, women were seen as less powerful than African males. It was almost unheard of that a woman held a position of power, or had their voices heard in various matters. The Zulu women leaders showed society how women could play a part in power dynamics and make an incredible impact among their people.
The Kingdom of Zulu was a monarchy in the South of Africa. It ranged from the coast of the Indian Ocean to the Tugela River to the Ponogola River (Ngobese 7421). The Kingdom dominated majority of what is known today as KwaZulu-Natal / Southern Africa. KwaZulu-Natal first came into conflict with the British Empire during the Anglo-Zulu War in the 1870s. The Zulu Kingdom was eventually defeated despite an early Zulu victory against the British in the war under the rule of leader, Cetewayo. The area later became part of the South African Union after they were defeated by the British Empire (Ngobese 7420).
Throughout the rule of the British Empire, this entity had a huge impact on the way women lived their lives throughout Africa. The role of African women’s position in the 18th and 19th centuries and how they were affected by the British rule was extremely gender biased (The National Archives). Women today still struggle with power distance issues, and this same concept was prevalent during the time of the Empire rule as well. More so, this power distance was even greater if you were a woman of a minority. However, this was not how the African Zulu women participated in society during reign of the Empire which is why they are a fascinating group of people to study and learn from.
This group of women truly shows how they were able to shatter gender stereotypes created in the time of the Empire rule. This group of women were different in the sense that they were able to gain power thanks to the monarchy the Zulu nation had in place, which was unseen in other areas of Africa (The National Archives). Typically women were found in domestic roles, making little impact on the community.
There were multiple powerful and impactful Zulu leaders throughout the course of history whom were women and they were able to make a difference for this population. South East-Africa and the Zulu monarchy in particular, are comprised of many examples of female dynasties and rulers who held positions of leadership through periods of nation-building and wars (The National Archives). This nation-building time was during the reign of the British Empire and having women in power during this time period truly helped shape the Zulu community and represented how women can make a difference.
As mentioned, the Zulu culture is comprised with a plethora of women. One of the most important women leaders was Queen Nandi, the mother of Emperor Shaka, and princess Mkabayi KaJama who both contributed in shaping the Zulu monarchy behind the scenes in the late 18th and early 19th centuries (Ngobese 7423). They were unmistakably the heroines of the Zulu monarchy during this Empire rule. These leaders truly shaped and nurtured the Zulu monarchy and made a lasting impact in this community.
Without the guidance and help of Queen Nandi, her son, Emperor Shaka, would have never had the success he had as a ruler and would not have gained the trust of his people (Shamase, 1). In Zulu culture, it is known to display and practice an African matriarchy system in which the mother, or oldest female of the family, leads the family. Emperor Shaka greatly appreciated and respected his mother, aunts and sisters, therefore, this allowed him to be a better leader that held women in high regards because he understood the power and strength of his female counterparts. (Shamase, 2).
Queen Nandi raised Emperor Shaka to treat everyone equally, therefore he preached the power of unity during his reign. He helped display that women can have a voice and can use it in a way to benefit many others. Queen Nandi was Shakas most trusted advisor until her death, which is when his power took a turn for the worse and he ended up being assassinated due to the corrupt leadership he started to display. (Shamase, 1). Before this, Emperor Shaka initiated many military, social, cultural and political reforms, which created a dominate and centralized Zulu state. The most important reforms involved the transformation of the army, through the innovative tactics and weapons he created using his personal experiences from being in the army along with guidance from his mother. Shaka conquered all the groups in Zululand and united them into a single powerful Zulu nation, this created a sense of power that was felt throughout Africa.
As for Princess Mkabayi KaJama’s account, she was known for using her power to empower the people of the Zulu nation. She understood when leadership was corrupt and took it upon herself to depose various kings in order to better the lives of the Zulu people (Shamase, 3). Like Queen Nandi, Princess Mkabayi KaJama was able to play an influential role advising various kings, and assisted in creating a more cohesive Zulu nation. She played a role which no women had ever done before, which was as the head of military units. She repeatedly turned away multiple suitors who requested her hand in marriage in order to lead the expanding Zulu nation which demonstrated her devotion to her people. (Shamase, 3).
These two women are very influential examples of powerful women in this time of history. Throughout many studies of the British Empire, it is noted that women are viewed as less influential and powerful than men during Empire reign. Women had fewer privileges and typically followed the voice of the males (Ngobese 7420). As studied throughout various accounts, women were to hold no power positions, they were unable to be jurors in court, and were not typically the head of the family. These two women used their position of power to help better society and share the voices of women. They wanted to create a cohesive environment and were looking out for the overall population of the Zulu people, unlike leaders in other areas of Africa.
Throughout the various battles between the Empire and Zulus during the Anglo-Zulu war, it was interesting to learn that there was a female leader assisting in the decisions made during the entirety of the war. During one of the most pivotal parts of Zulu history, women were able to have their voices heard which was something not seen practiced in other areas of Africa under Empire rule. The Zulu nation, especially with help of these women leaders, were able to make a lasting impact of how women should play roles in leadership. The British Empire created an idealism that Africans were inferior. Even more so, that women had less power than African men. These Zulu women empowered others to start using their voices.
Primary Sources:
The National Archives, “Africa: Status of Women of Native Races.” Empire Online. (1939).
The National Archives, “Status of Women in Africa.” Empire Online. (1937).
Secondary Sources:
Dalifa Ngobese, “Women Power: A Contribution to the Role of African Women during and after Anglo-Zulu Conflicts.” Academic Search Premier. (2016).
Maxwell Shamase, “Women of Valour: Character Exposition of Some Zulu Royal Women.” Academic Search Premier. (2017).
Maxwell Shamase, “Women King Makers: The Case of Zulu Princess Mkabayi Kajama.” Academic Search Premier. (2017).
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