Zulu

History

In the late 17th century, Bantu peoples originally from the area of present-day Congo migrated to Natal. Growing populations, intensified agriculture and competition in trade with Europeans led to increasing centralization and expansion of tribal associations at the beginning of the 18th century. Around 1824, Zululand had 250,000 inhabitants on 20,000 km².

After the British annexations of Natal in 1843 and the ZAR in 1877, Zululand represented an obstacle to the British in consolidating their possessions in South Africa. In 1879, the British finally conquered the area.