The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840

Title: The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840
Author: John Laband
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Johannesburg, South Africa 2023
ISBN 9781776192700 / ISBN 978-1-77-619270-0
Softcover, 15 x 23 cm, 368 pages, several b/w photographs, images and maps

About: The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840

The battle of Blood River, or Ncome, on 16 December 1838 has long been regarded as a critical moment in the history of South Africa. It was the culminating victory by the land-hungry Boers who had migrated out of the British-ruled Cape and invaded the Zulu kingdom in 1837. Many Afrikaners long acclaimed their triumph as the God-given justification for their subsequent dominion over Africans.

By contrast, Africans celebrate the war with pride for its significance in their valiant struggle against colonial aggression. In The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840, John Laband deals as even-handedly as possible with the warring sides in the conflict. In contrasting their military systems, he explains both victory and defeat in the many battles that marked the war.

Crucially, he also presents the less familiar Zulu perspective explaining the political motivation, strategic military objectives and fissures in the royal house. The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840 is the first book in English that engages with the war between the Boers and the Zulu in its entire context or takes the Zulu evidence into proper account.

John Laband is Professor Emeritus of History at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, and a Research Associate at Stellenbosch University. He specialises in the history of the Zulu kingdom and in colonial wars in Africa.

Content: The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840

Acknowledgements
Preface: Monuments at War
Breaking down the maize stalks
Always talking of war and battles
Port Natal
Wizard whose liver is black
An inexpedient scheme of colonisation
On kommando
The house of bondage
A chosen people
Transorangia
I had to keep open veld around me
They came with wagons
We are here to kill you
Our god delivered Mzilikazi into our hands
The chief of Port Natal
The place that encloses the elephant
Do you hear the king?
They desired Port Natal
You thrust an evil spear into your own stomach
0 my god, shall the blood of the sucklings be unavenged?
1 will die with my father!
The great elephant will trample you underfoot!
The Place of the Game-Pits
At the Ncome we turned our backs
They are surrounded, men of the king
Building two countries
You who crossed all the rivers on the way
to restoring yourself
He has ruined my army
The wild beasts have killed one another
Return to Mpande and pay homage to him

List of maps: The Boer Invasion of The Zulu Kingdom 1837-1840

The War in Zululand, 1837-1840
Transorangia and the Great Trek to Zululand, 1836-1837
Diagram of emGungundlovu
Battle of Bloukrans, 16-17 February 1838
Battle of eThaleni, 10 April 1838: Phase One
Battle of eThaleni, 10 April 1838: Phase Two
Battle of the Thukela or Dlokweni, 17 April 1838
Battle of Veglaer or emaGebeni, 13-15 August 1838: First Day of Battle
Battle of Blood River or Ncome, 16 December 1838: Phase One
Battle of Blood River or Ncome, 16 December 1838: Phase Two
Battle of the White Mfolozi or oPathe, 27 December 1838
Battle of the amaQongqo Hills, 29 January 1840
The Dismemberment of the Zulu Kingdom, 1838-1843
Glossary
Bibliography
Notes
Index