Back in part 17, which seems like a long time ago but was only two weeks, I reported that, with some help from friends, I’d painted a total of 54 Zulus which left me with 216 to go. As well as painting the defenders lately I haven’t forgotten the brave Zulus and managed to polish off another 20. This now means I have just under 200 to go which, despite still being a lot, doesn’t feel quite as daunting.
I also mailed off 10 to fellow Blogger Colonel Mustard. You can find his blog here. https://colonelmustardblog.com
He kindly offered to give me a hand and I’ve got to say I’m really excited to have him involved and also to see what he does with them. Good luck and have fun mate.
Instead of doing a group shot I thought I’d share a couple of insitu shots just for fun.





When I’ve finished this project I plan on doing a lot of photography for it.
As much as I’d like to share first hand accounts from the Zulus perspective I’m really struggling to find anything online. If anyone can suggest a website or books please let me know.
We mustn’t forget that this was the Zulus land and that the Europeans were the invaders but maybe the epic tale of Rorke’s Drift has overshadowed the Zulu struggle. “To the victors go the spoils” and “history is written by the victors”. However the British didn’t actually win at Rorke’s Drift, they just held on, but the British did go on to win the war and so, I guess, that could be the reason why I’m finding it hard to find any documentation from the Zulus point of view.
I also learnt something today. “Impi”, which I understood to mean Regiment, actually means War. Ibutho is the real word for regiment so I’ll be using that one from now on.
Cheers
IRO
Great additions Luke, can imagine finding details from the Zulu’s very difficult, as their history was passed down in tales that were spoken not written, plus as you say. history is written by the victors.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yeah, I’m struggling
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some good progress there, Luke! 🙂 I do like the pics of them in the buildings!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks John. It was a little tricky getting some of the angles but I had fun hehe
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on ausevor.
LikeLike
Keep soldiering on mate, you’re getting there! Nice atmospheric photos as well but I reckon your best bet is for generic Zulu tribal stuff rather than Individual accounts. I did find this though …
Cetshwayo kaMpande (/kɛtʃˈwaɪ.oʊ/; Zulu pronunciation: [ǀétʃwajo kámpande]; c. 1826 – 8 February 1884) was the king[a] of the Zulu Kingdom from 1873 to 1879 and its leader during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. His name has been transliterated as Cetawayo, Cetewayo, Cetywajo and Ketchwayo. Cetshwayo consistently opposed the war and sought fruitlessly to make peace with the British, and was defeated and exiled following the Zulu defeat in the war. He was later allowed to return to Zululand, where he died in 1884.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Cheers Dave. Yeah I’ve done a little on Cetshwayo and his son but I was really looking for first hand accounts from the warriors. I guess, like Dave Stone said, it’d be more story telling than pen to paper. Thanks though Davey.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great action shots IRO. I have had the same problem with accounts of the Queensland Frontier Wars because of the oral rahter than written tradition.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, frustrating
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice close-ups on the Zulus! They really bring the conflict to life. 200 to go is a nice milestone to hit as well. It is a shame that there aren’t more accounts from the Zulu’s perspective as well. I’m sure it would be interesting to see what they thought about this conflict both before and after it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks man. Yeah, I haven’t given up on finding more info though
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely photo’s mate, keep at it, the top of the hill (if not the downward slope) will be in sight soon!
Cheers Roger.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hehe thanks mate, getting there
LikeLike
Lovely photos, it’s so cool to see these beautiful minis interacting with the also-beautiful scenery.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cheers very much. I very much enjoy taking the photos.
LikeLike
Nice dramatic photos, my man! Especially with the moody lighting. Think you missed your calling as a cameraman in Hollywood! It’s interesting how you’re able to get help from others on the project. Too bad we didn’t all live closer, would be kinda fun to contribute on large projects and see what everyone does.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I would’ve loved that. I did mention it one of the posts. Was happy to cover postage too but I only had one taker hehe. Local fella too. Thanks Re the photos. I thoroughly enjoy the photo taking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea, postage to USA would probably be abysmal unfortunately. Plus the downside is that if I’m helping someone else paint theirs, my mountain of plastic will continue to fill the house, haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha true on both counts but the sexology point is more important
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sexology?! Now I’m definitely not giving you my address, haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha what the shit?? That was meant to be “second” haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure, sure, sure it was! Haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still there may come a day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice.
It is a shame that their side of history has been lost and it has led to them being (mostly) anonomised as ‘1000s of them’….
Cheers,
Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I’m really struggling to find first hand accounts. It’s quite frustrating actually because I didn’t really intend for this project to be British centric.
LikeLike