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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | Racial Formation and Ethnogenesis from Below: The Zulu Case, 1879-1906 |
| Author: | Mahoney, Michael R. |
| Year: | 2003 |
| Periodical: | International Journal of African Historical Studies |
| Volume: | 36 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| Pages: | 559-583 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic terms: | South Africa Natal |
| Subjects: | Zulu ethnicity Bambatha rebellion 1906 colonialism History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Ethnic and Race Relations |
| External link: | https://www.jstor.org/stable/3559434 |
| Abstract: | Like many of the other chiefdoms, the Qwabe chiefdom in the British colony of Natal had a long history of conflict with the Zulu kings. During the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, thousands of Natal Africans fought on the British side, while only a few dozen fought for the Zulus. Twenty-seven years later, in 1906, the Qwabe chief Meseni led the largest outbreak in the Poll Tax Rebellion or Bambatha's Rebellion. This time the Qwabe and many other Natal Africans claimed to be fighting against the British and for the Zulu king Dinuzulu. During the period 1879-1906, most Natal Africans came to identify themselves as Zulus, which had not been the case before. Moreover, Zulu ethnic categorization was something that most Natal Africans chose for themselves. It was not imposed upon them by colonial officials - in their policy of 'indirect rule' - or missionaries, chiefs, or by the emerging African Christian middle class. Although more and more Natal Africans adopted a common political culture, this did not eliminate conflict among those who would be Zulus. This paper examines the way in which Zulu ethnicity could be both divisive 'tribalism' in one context and unifying 'territory-wide political consciousness' in another. The paper is based on research conducted in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces in South Africa during 1995-1997 and 2001. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract] |
