#Cultural_Immersion...πππΎ
THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE ZULU KINGDOM BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF WHITE PEOPLE:
The starting point is the homestead (UMUZI). Every grown up man who wished to be a progenitor should establish an UMUZI through his wife or wives. He would then
THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE ZULU KINGDOM BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF WHITE PEOPLE:
The starting point is the homestead (UMUZI). Every grown up man who wished to be a progenitor should establish an UMUZI through his wife or wives. He would then
become an UMNUMZANA and later on, if possible, become a CHIEF of a particular LINEAGE.
HOMESTEADS and LINEAGES were never discrete units, but were united under the political authority of the CHIEF.
@2022AFRICA ifb
HOMESTEADS and LINEAGES were never discrete units, but were united under the political authority of the CHIEF.
@2022AFRICA ifb
CHIEFLY powers were an extension of the authority of the head of the HOMESTEAD, its material base being the CHIEFβs power to extract surplus from those under him. As leader of the CLAN, he had the duties of imposing fines against offenders, but also he had to protect the CLAN
from outside dangers.
HOMESTEAD production formed the basis of the society; CHIEFDOMS existed, but they were brought under the authority of the ruling CHIEFDOM, and the polity referred to as a KINGDOM.
In the Zulu case, the material power of the KING was based on his ability
HOMESTEAD production formed the basis of the society; CHIEFDOMS existed, but they were brought under the authority of the ruling CHIEFDOM, and the polity referred to as a KINGDOM.
In the Zulu case, the material power of the KING was based on his ability
to draw on the labour of all men for approximately twenty years of their lives. This labour was dependent to a large degree on the HOMESTEADS from which the men were drawn. Therefore, political control of economic transactions was vested in the dominant LINEAGES of the stronger
CLANS, who acquired the status of the hereditary CHIEFDOM.
These territorial CHIEFS acted between the IMIZI heads and the LINEAGE heads, and their functions in ensuring the reproduction of the entire social formation were indispensable. The dominant CHIEF could, through this
These territorial CHIEFS acted between the IMIZI heads and the LINEAGE heads, and their functions in ensuring the reproduction of the entire social formation were indispensable. The dominant CHIEF could, through this
social function of cattle exchange, accumulate wealth and through the custom of UKUSISA (the lending out of cattle to an individual who will later on be expected to bring the returns). This system ensured political support.
Another form, which characterised the CHIEFDOM, was
Another form, which characterised the CHIEFDOM, was
the custom of age-sets (AMABUTHO), which was the grouping together of youths. This custom replaced the obsolete ancient custom of circumcision. The AMABUTHO had retained a variety of productive functions before being adopted by Dingiswayo, and then Shaka, for military purposes.
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