SHAKA


Meaning of SHAKA in English

born 0441; 1787

died Sept. 22, 1828

Zulu chief (1816–28), founder of southern Africa's Zulu empire.

Raised as an outcast because his parents' marriage violated Zulu custom, Shaka proved himself a brilliant warrior and by 1816 had established himself as head of the Zulu. He worked to improve weapons systems, institute a regimental system, and develop standard tactics, ruling his warriors with an iron hand. He attacked and subjugated tribes of coastal Zululand , contributing to the Mfecane disturbances of the 1820s. After his mother's death in 1827, he became psychotic and began terrifying and killing his own people; he was murdered by his two half brothers.

Shaka, lithograph by W. Bagg, 1836.

By courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum; photograph, J.R. Freeman & Co. Ltd.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.