South African Royalty

Book Categories: South Africa, Lobedu, Zulu, Shaka Zulu, Mfecane, Mandela, DVD, Children's Books, Africa

South Africa

A History of South Africa by Leonard Monteath Thompson. Covers the region's history from the earliest known human habitation to modern times.

Lovedu (Lobedu)

Looking for Lovedu: A Woman's Journey Across Africa by Ann Jones. An American journalist tells the story of her search for the legendary Lovedu, a tribe ruled by a rain-making queen and dedicated to ideals of cooperation, tolerance, and peace.

The Realm of a Rain-Queen by Eileen Jensen Krige. A study of the pattern of Lovedu society. Published in the 1940s. Available from Alibris.

She by H. Rider Haggard. Classic 1887 novel about a 2000-year old African queen, inspired by the legend of the Rain Queen of the Lobedu people.

Zulu Royalty

The Formation of the Zulu Kingdom in South Africa, 1750-1840 by James Oliver Gump. Argues that the Zulu kingdom did not emerge as a revolutionary outburst; rather, that state formation among the northern Nguni-speaking peoples began as much as a half-century before Shaka.

The Zulu Kings and Their Armies by Jonathan Sutherland, Diane Canwell. Covering nearly one hundred years of Zulu military history, this book studies the armies, weapons, and tactics of the five Zulu kings from Shaka to Dinizulu.

Shaka's Children: A History of the Zulu People by Stephen Taylor. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

A Zulu King Speaks: Statements Made by Cetshwayo Kampande on the History and Customs of His People by King Cetshwayo, edited by John B. Wright. About Cetewayo, King of Zululand, who lived 1826-1884. Sometimes available from Alibris.

Shaka Zulu

The Washing of the Spears by Donald R. Morris. A history of the rise of the Zulu nation under Shaka and its fall in the Zulu War of 1879. Introduction by Mangosuthu Chief Buthelezi.

Terrific Majesty: The Powers of Shaka Zulu and the Limits of Historical Invention by Carolyn Hamilton.

Shaka Zulu by E. A. Ritter. Biography of the great Zulu chief. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 by Saul David. Not published in the U.S., but may be available from Alibris.

Myths of Iron: Shaka in History by Dan Wylie. We do not know when Shaka Zulu was born, what he looked like, when or why he was assassinated. This scholarly study presents all the available evidence and decides what exactly we can know about Shaka's reign. Published in South Africa; available from AbeBooks.

Chaka by Thomas Mofolo and Daniel Kunene is a fictional account of Shaka Zulu's life.

The Mfecane or Difaqane

Landscape Transformation and the Archaeology of Impact: Social Disruption and State Formation in Southern Africa by Warren R. Perry. Investigates the colonization of southeastern Africa from 1500 to 1900. Topics include the Mfecane period, 1816 to 1840.

The Mfecane Aftermath: Reconstructive Debates in Southern African History edited by Carolyn Hamilton. Was the Mfecane a figment of historians' imagination? How large a responsibility do Shaka and the Zulu people bear for the social turbulence in southern Africa in the early decades of the 19th century? These are some of the issues explored in this collection. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom is the autobiography of Nelson Mandela (who was a ward of the paramount chief of the Tembu tribe).

Nelson Mandela: The Early Life of Rolihlahla Mandiba by Jean Guiloineau, translated by Joseph Rowe. Covers the first 24 years of Mandela's life. It covers his upbringing and education, the death of his father (who was a royal counselor), and the traditions that shaped his character.

Mandela: A Critical Life by Tom Lodge. This biography draws on original sources to uncover fresh insights about Mandela, from his childhood to presidency of South Africa.

Mandela: The Authorized Biography by Anthony Sampson. Published in 1999; the author has known Mandela since 1951.

More Books by Nelson Mandela
Other Books About Nelson Mandela

Children's Books

Nelson Mandela: The Tribal Prince Who Grew Up to Be President by Ann Kramer. Biography for children ages 4 to 7.

The Zulus by Robert Nicholson. For ages 9-12.

Shaka, King of the Zulus by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema is a children's book.

More Children's Books About African Royalty

These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.

Shaka Zulu: The Complete Epic Mini-series. Henry Cele stars as the legendary ruler in this acclaimed miniseries. From A&E.

46664, The Event - Nelson Mandela's AIDS Day Concert. Named after the number worn by Mandela during his 18-year imprisonment, this 2003 concert was created to draw attention to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.