List of Zulu Regiments explained
There were a number of Zulu Regiments[1] [2] (known sometimes as "Impis"). Most were created during the reign of Shaka Zulu. This is a list of them.[3]
List of Regiments
| Name | Meaning | Date Raised | Age Group
Birth Years | |
|---|
| Ama-Wombe | Single Clash | 1816 | 1775-1785 | |
| U-Kangela | Look-out | 1816 | 1785-1790 | |
| Izin-Tenjana | ezakala O-Ngoye | 1818-1819 | 1795-1798 | |
| U-Nomdayana | | 1820 | 1800 | |
| Ama-Phela | Cockroaches | 1821 | 1801 | |
| Ama-Kwenkwe | | 1822-1826 | 1802-1806 | |
| Izi-Kwembu | | 1822-1826 | 1802-1806 | |
| Izi-Zimazane | | 1822-1826 | 1802-1806 | |
| Jubingqwanda | Shorn Head-rings | 1816 | 1785-1790 | |
| U-Dlambedlu | Wild Men | 1816 | 1790-1795 | |
| Um-Gumanqa | | 1818-1819 | 1797-1798 | Sub-division |
| Isi-Pezi | | 1818-1819 | 1797-1798 |
| U-Mbonambi | | 1818-1819 | 1797-1798 |
| U-Nteke | | 1818-1819 | 1797-1798 |
| U-Gibabanye or Kipabanye | The Expellers | 1820-1825 | 1800-1805 | |
| U-Fojisa | | 1820-1825 | 1800-1805 | |
| Im-Folozi | | 1820-1825 | 1800-1805 | |
| In-Dabakulu | The Great Affair | 1820-1825 | 1800-1805 | |
| Fasimba | The Haze "Shaka's Own" | 1816 | | The Young Guard |
| Izi-Cwe | The Bushmen "Ngomane's Own" | 1816 | |
| U-Dlangezwa | | 1823-1824 | | |
| Um-Ota | | 1823-1824 | | |
| Ulu-Tuli | | 1823-1824 | | |
| Izi-Nyosi | The Bees | 1828 | | | |
Divisions
- Belebele Brigade/Division
- Izim-Pohlo (Bachelors) or Isi-Klebe Division
Zulu Order of Battle at Isandlwana
- 22 January 1879
Left Horn (5,000 to 6,000 men)! Regiment! Meaning[4] | inGobamakhosi | "Benders of Kings" or "Humblers of Kings" |
| uMbonambi | "Seers of Evil" or "Evil Omen" |
| uVe | "Fly Catchers" | |
Right Horn (3,000 to 4,000 men[5])! Regiment! Meaning| uDududu | "Support" or "Strengtheners" |
| uNokenke | "Skirmishers" |
| uNodwengu corps (part) | "Tearers" / or "Those Who Tear" | |
Chest (Main Force) (7,000 to 9,000 men)! Regiment! Meaning| umKulushane | "Straight Line" or "Coming at you" |
| isAngqu | "White Tails" or "Orange River" |
| umCijo | "Sharp Points" |
| umHlanga | "Reeds" |
| uKhandampevu | The Beehive |
| uNodwengu corps (part) | "Tearers" / or "Those Who Tear" | |
Loins (Reserves) (4,000 to 5,000 men)! Regiment! Meaning| Undi corps | |
| uDloko | "Savage Fighters" |
| iNdluyengwe | "Leopard's Lair" or "spots" |
| Indlondlo | "Horned Vipers" |
| Uthulwana | "Dust Raisers" |
|
Notes and References
- Web site: Dovey . John . Resource Info: Shaka Zulu . South African Military Units . 18 October 2014 . 25 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141225011950/http://www.justdone.co.za/SAMU/Info_Resources.php?ResourceID=15. dead.
- Book: Ritter. E.A.. Shaka Zulu: The Rise of the Zulu Empire. 1955. Longmans, Green. 5th.
- Book: Morris. Donald R.. Donald R. Morris. The Washing of the Spears: A History of the Rise of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and Its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879. 1998. 1965. Da Capo Press. 9780306808661. Illustrated. Reprint. 21 October 2014.
- Book: Bryant, Alfred T. . A Zulu-English dictionary with notes on pronunciation, a revised orthography and derivations and cognate words from many languages; including also a vocabulary of Hlonipa words, tribal-names, etc., a synopsis of Zulu grammar and a concise history of the Zulu people from the most ancient times . 1905 . Pinetown, Natal . The Mariannhill Mission Press . 1158569291 .
- Book: Colenso. Frances . assisted in those portions of the work that touch on military matters by Lieut.-Colonel Edward Durnford. 1880. History of the Zulu War and Its Origin. London. Chapman and Hall. https://archive.org/details/historyofzuluwar00colerich. 1-152-31729-6. 18 June 2007. live.
