The Zulu dead at Isandlwana

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-07-03

What became of the bodies of the Zulus killed at Isandlwana. were they left on the field or buried when the British finally buried their own dead? Also, did the Zulus treat their own dead the same as their opponents, that is were their abdomens 'opened' up?

Subject: Re: The Zulu dead at Isandlwana Wed Jul 14, 2021 8:30 pm

I have read that the Zulus took off a number of - (British) wagons with their own dead from the immediate vacinity of the battlefield and that some were buried in ant hills, grain pits (in destered kraals) and dongas on the line of retreat, I would assume that many were left behind to be predated on and maybe finally buried in the subsequent burials - initially it would have been easy-ish to spot a British body but later maybe not so. I have not read of Zulus 'opening up' their own dead (but they were very superstitious about the dead and being 'haunted'). Apparently anyone too hurt to be moved was bashed with a knobbkerrie, to put them out of their misery (the knobbkerrie was seen as a weapon of mercy). The native dead both friend and foe was not something that the the British seemed to concern themselves with. Many Zulus who died of wounds would have been laid to rest along tha armies rout of march - albeit in rudimentary fashion (covering them with their shields)

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

From what I remember a lot of the Zulu dead were carried off in the weeks after the battle.

There are reports of Zulu bodies being thick in a donga when Chelmsford returned on the night of the 22nd but a lot of these were removed in the time after the battle.

Some did still remain, as the reports from May and June 1879 when the 24th returned to bury their dead. For example, Forbes outlined how a Zulu was found at the feet of Durnford when his body was found.

Many thanks,
Sam

Subject: Re: The Zulu dead at Isandlwana Fri Jul 16, 2021 5:05 pm

Further to my post above, I have recalled that the Natsl Natives objected to touching/moving the dead Zulus at Rorkes Drift on the grounds of 'bad juju' (so to speak) but whether this would extend to dead colleagues or not, I do not know.

» Zulu & British Dead At Isandlwana.
» Remembering the Zulu dead from the War of 1879
» No Martini Henry Rifles Found Among The Zulu Dead At Rorkes Drift.