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DateOriginal Topic
17th October 2003Zulu regimental details
By Miguel
I know this has been discussed here before, but please indulge me:

What were the name of the regiments involved in Isandhlwana / Rorke's drift, what range of ages comprised every regiment and what where the colors of its shields?

I know the color tradtion was a bit relaxed those days due to the difficulties inherent in finding the right color of buffalo skin, but theoretically, what were those colors?

Miguel
DateReplies
19th October 2003Julian Whybra
Isandhlwana:
uDududu
iMbube
iSangqu
uNokhenke
uMcijo
uMxhapo
uMbonambi
iNgobamakhosi
uVe
iNdluyengwe (on the Fugitives' trail)
Rorke's Drift:
uThulwana
iNdhlondhlo
iNdluyengwe
uDhloko
The other information you want you can get from Krige, Binns, and various other secondary works on your library bookshelf!
19th October 2003Julian Whybra
Oops I forgot. The above are those substantiated by the evidence and by Zulu accounts. 'Tradition' says the aged umKhulutshane participated too and without substantiation the umHlanga.
19th October 2003Miguel
Thank you very much, Julian, outstanding as usual.

However, could you provide the range of ages for every regiment and what were the (theorical) colours of their shields?

Miguel
20th October 2003Miguel
Julian, I apologize for the last msg., I hadn't seen the last sentence of your first answer!!

I'll do as advised, thanks again!

Miguel
20th October 2003Julian Whybra
Miguel, i deliberately didn't put the details you asked for as you will find they vary slightly from source to source. Much better that you see the primary sources for yourself and make up your own mind than you blindly accept my opinions - who knows, you may have an insight which has escaped others.
You'll also see how many modern writers of secondary sources prefer the black-and-white answer (which may actually be inaccurate) rather than risk confusing the reader by presenting alternatives.