Women Power: A contribution to the role of African women during and after Anglo-Zulu conflicts of the 19th century and beyond

Abstract

Little accounts has been documented on how Zulu women actively participated in traditional setting of the Zulu kingdom and their role during the Anglo- Zulu wars. Ndlovu (2009: 111) argued that academics tend to rely on late twentieth- century feminist analyses which informed by women's struggles in the industrial era to contest equality with men rather than the historical realities of balance interpretation of discourse in gender oppression.It has been a secret taboo that women's role during times of war and conflict were not accorded its rightful interpretation in historical discourse. Scholars do reflect on the above stereotype historical writings thought tradition that had brought this subject into historical debates that military participation was only coined to men or males. Mangena 1 (2008: 253) argued that by recognizing women role at equal footing with men as important narration in contemporary historiography, would tacitly endorsing the legitimacy of 'gender' as an issue in the terrain of social and political power between men and women. Then, this research will focus at producing data signifying women's role and influence during and after the wars. It also endeavors at recognizing their contributions and participation during the war times during the 19th Century and beyond.Mangena's article 'The Black Consciousness Philosophy and the Women's Question in South Africa: 1970-1980' contributed to Biko's Lives: Contesting the legacy of Biko. Contemporary Black History JournalThis paper delves at looking how Zulu women actively participated and extensive contributed in the ancient Anglo-Zulu conflicts and war of the 19th Century. Thus the paper will highlight women role vice versa with women oppression, the way in which both gender offered males and females similar equality to customary influence and power, in the Zulu kingdom. Emphasis will be on the women role during and after the conflict situation and women as age-regiments. One will not exclude their common role in the pre-colonial period as traditional healers.Women Role in the Precolonial EraIt is an undisputed fact that women and men were assigned specific tasks and duties within traditional Zulu society. Sifiso Ndlovu (2008: 111)'s article, from the book 'Zulu identities', stressed that women in the Zulu kingdom were recognized for their important contributions, to conflict and politics in the Zulu kingdom. Women were associated with cultivation, housekeeping, child rearing and thatching. Furthermore, women were also responsible for the hut thatching and the making of grass products. Mats done by women are for sleeping, sitting and eating on. Brewing tools, baskets, fowl nest and utensil pouches were also some of the material done by women.Closely link to Zulu tradition, indigenous home made beer (umqombothi) is prepared and brews by the women that are. As it is illustrated by the Zulu culture, traditional beer plays an important role in Zulu society and it is an essential part of all major rites, it is also important in everyday life, in parties and as offerings. The making of the traditional beer remains solely the responsibility of the women. During some important communal ceremonies, many of the cooking were not carried out by women but by men or king attendance / izinceku. The above shared responsibilities derailed the notion that men were exercising control over women, however, they were also participated and piloted warfare.In the late 19th century, women started to follow the men into labour market, seeking jobs on the mines and in the urban areas. This migrant system has moved men and women from the rural areas, disruption the traditional gender roles, resulting in rural women and the aged being forced to do tasks previously done by the men.Role of Zulu Women during the WarIt is important to stress that the historian and written sources did not positively portray the women's role during the Zulu war in totality and given recognition it deserved. …