Shaka: King of the Zulus

Shaka: King of the Zulus — page 3
Once there was a little boy named Shaka who would one day grow up to be a legendary king He was born in 1787 the son of Senzagakona Senzagakona chief of the tiny Zulu clan The Zulus were not important important or powerful They were one clan among many whose kraals or villages dotted the hillsides of southern Africa Shaka’s kraal was called Bulawayo At the age of six Shaka became a working member of the clan Like all young boys he had to watch the cattle sheep and goats as they grazed on the hillside Herding cattle was boring work but it was very important These animals meant everything to Shaka’s people Not only did the Zulus eat the meat and drink the milk from the cattle they used their hides for clothing A man could not even get married until he had cattle of his own to pay the lobola or bride-price to the bride’s family If a herdboy let something happen to the cattle he was guarding it was a terrible disgrace