Bongeni
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Transcript of Bongeni
Chapter One
Sikonyeli shook his muscular shoulders. Standing at over six foot
six inches, he was one of the chosen induna’s of the royal guard.
Sikonyeli was proud. He had reason to be, considering his strong
proven battle record. A formidable warrior with considerable
respect, which he’d earned in battle. And he carried the scars and
memories with him.
He adjusted his feathered headdress and turned around to
look over his men. They’d follow him anywhere. He trusted their
loyalty totally, could feel it. The disciplines he’d imposed on them
over the years had paid off. His leadership was unchallenged.
They moved as one body and it all came with experience. This was
something the young Induna’s still had to learn.
At his neck hung the most prized Zulu award, the ‘iziqu’
necklace. Awarded only by the King to exceptional warriors for
bravery. Made from small blocks cut from willow sticks and then
threaded into a necklace. On his right arm he also wore the
coveted ‘ingxotha’ bronze armband, also awarded to him by the
King for his loyalty and high standing.
His weapon of choice was the ‘Ikwa’ long blade stabbing
spear. More commonly known as the ‘assegai’. A hideous blade of
some eighteen inches in length and roughly two and a half inches
wide, set into a robust wooden shaft, two feet six inches long.
Designed originally by the legendary King Shaka for close quarter
combat, which culminated in the deadly under arm stab.
Sikonyeli had mastered the art and continually instructed his
regiments with ruthless proficiency. Parry and thrust, parry and
thrust. On and on it went until every warrior under his command
was an efficient and disciplined killing machine.
Only skilled Smiths, selected by the King himself, were
entrusted with the manufacture of stabbing spears. Iron ore was
carefully collected from surface deposits and smelted in clay
forges with the aid of skin bellows. The blades were then skilfully
hammered into shape, tempered with fat and razor sharpened on
special flat stones before being set into the wooden shafts.
Each shaft was then glued with strong vegetable glues and
bound with wet cane fibres. A tube of hide, usually cut from a
calf’s tail was rolled over the join and allowed to shrink.
Sikonyeli had personally supervised the manufacture of his
spear with the King’s permission. Normally only the King
reserved the right to distribute spears. Warriors had to earn them.
Sikonyeli also carried an assortment of ‘iWisa’ knobkerries
tucked into the rawhide thong around his waist. He used them as
throwing weapons and they were also excellent for defence.
Sikonyeli could down a rabbit at fifty paces or smash in a man’s
skull. He seldom missed.
The knobkerries were highly polished strong sticks with
wicked, heavy bulbous heads. He carried his main knobkerrie in
his left hand with his shield. Used primarily as a back-up weapon
in case he should ever lose his spear.
The most visible part of his armoury was his cowhide
‘umbumbulozo’ shield, which was three feet six inches long and at
least two feet wide. The shield was strengthened with a single
stick secured to the back by a double row of hide strips, threaded
through slits carefully cut in the actual shield and held by a small
handle.
Sikonyeli knew from experience that if he soaked the shield
in water and then inclined the shield at an angle he could deflect a
rifle bullet at a distance of over two hundred metres away. The
effectiveness of the shield against traditional throwing spears was
equally as good.
Sikonyeli’s shield was almost white in colour. The majority
of his regiment had a combination of red shields and red and
white shields, as they were all married men. Sikonyeli was proud
of his shield. It had taken a long time for him to earn a white
shield, a colour that was traditionally only reserved for Kings and
generals or exceptional, proven warriors on the battlefield.
It was already quite light. Soon the intense African sun
would flood the valley, making it humid and uncomfortable. Was
time to move. Sikonyeli was already impatient. What was keeping
the General from leading them down the hill?
There were already stirrings in the village, which was
centred at the base of the valley.
The bird life was unusually quiet, almost aware of what was
about to happen. The vibrant mass of near naked bodies trembling
in the early morning light, filled with anticipation of the coming
battle had to have an effect on the energy of the surrounding
environment.
The King had warned these people once before not to raid
his cattle. Now they would pay the price. They would feel his rage,
taste his steel.
Disputes had always been settled this way.
Sikonyeli knew of these people. They were the Tongas from
Tongaland. Ruled by ‘Zambili’ the Tonga queen. A mixed tribe,
mostly outcasts who had at one time or another been part of the
great Karanga tribes further up North but had now mixed their
blood with several other tribes, including the Zulus.
Sikonyeli was aware these smaller tribes survived
throughout Africa. He knew the majority of them usually kept to
themselves, hunting only in their areas. It was very seldom that
they wandered across the valleys and down into Zululand to raid
the rich Zulu livestock. They were either very brave or very
stupid.
What had made this insignificant tribe want to raid Zulu
cattle? Sikonyeli kept asking himself. This was daring for so small
a tribe. It must have been a huge temptation, an impulsive
decision. The raiding party obviously came upon the livestock and
noted there were only children as shepherds. The prize was too big
to let go.
But then a woman led them. What could you expect?
A Queen who was reputed to be able to foresee into the
future. People claimed she had magical powers; she could com-
municate with the dead.
Now these same people would shortly be facing the might of
the Zulu regiments in battle. The most powerful and largest black
tribe throughout Africa. Sikonyeli was indeed proud. The Zulus
were renowned for their militant leadership. Undefeated in tribal
battle.
Sikonyeli thought about the Tonga people and realised that
he actually knew a bit about them, had heard about their skills in
working with copper, iron, wood and basket weaving for which
they were famous. They also had the knowledge and skills to
make narrow canoes out of hollowed out trees. With these canoes
they fished on the bays and the surrounding estuaries on the
upper North Coast towards Mozambique.
Sikonyeli laughed. And as for their women, ah yes, the
women. He knew of the women. They made cloth from the fibrous
bark of the wild fig trees. They mixed it with wild cotton and then
dyed the fabric in bright colours. They were well known for their
colourful attire and were admired by all the tribes for their beauty.
Many other tribes had now copied them though and produced
fabric of their own.
The Tongas also made an extremely toxic wine from the lala
palm mixed with fermented marula berries. It was very popular.
Sikonyeli knew well of this drink. He had been wasted by its
power on a few occasions. He smiled as he thought back on the
times.
The more he pondered on the subject the more it concerned
him. The Tongas traded well and were usually a happy people.
They did not need to cross paths with the Zulus. They should have
known better. Why would the Queen have sent a raiding party
into Zululand? Maybe it was done without the Queen’s
knowledge? Maybe it was a renegade group? Yes, he sighed. That
was probably it. He’d done it before in his younger years but he’d
never been caught.
Sikonyeli felt suddenly annoyed at the Tonga’s arrogance.
They were simple people. Unimportant people. No tribe, except
maybe the Xhosa’s or the Matabele would dare take cattle from the
Zulu’s. And now these Tonga people would pay. Pay with their
lives.
His thoughts turned to his own situation. He already had
one wife and a child. If he did well in this battle maybe the King
would allow him a second wife. This would be a huge honour and
earn him more respect. Maybe he could seize a few of the beautiful
Tonga maidens. Yes, that would be good.
He suddenly realised how badly he needed this battle.
Needed to prove to the King yet again that the great Sikonyeli was
unstoppable. His legendary conquests would continue to grow...
And he knew respect was everything. Throughout Zululand
if you had respect as a great warrior you walked tall. People ran to
see you. Young brave men wanted to join your regiment and the
ladies were always available.
Sikonyeli cursed. He needed that second wife desperately.
He loved Wendiki, his current wife, more than anything but she’d
had trouble giving birth to Bongeni, his only son. Both children
born after Bongeni were stillborn.
He could still remember the day when the Sangoma
explained to him that Wendiki would not be able to have any more
children. He was so disappointed. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
Why had it happened to him? He kept asking himself. He needed
children to continue not only his name but also his bloodline.
Sikonyeli peered down the valley at the village below. He
knew the Tonga warriors would have guns. He was aware of the
white man’s tools of war. His father had fought in wars against the
British and the Boers.
Sikonyeli was proud of his father. He was a famous warrior.
Had earned his respect in Cetshwayo’s war against the British
army led by Lord Chelmsford in the famous battle of Sandlwana
where the Zulus defeated the pride of the British Empire, killing
over a thousand British soldiers and capturing over eight hundred
rifles and in excess of four hundred thousand rounds of
ammunition.
It was a great victory. His father had fought alongside
General Dabulamanzi in the final battle. Many Zulu warriors were
lost that day but it was worth it. The spoils and the pride earned
for the regiments made it worthwhile and the arrogant British had
finally been taught a humiliating lesson.
Sikonyeli knew his father had also proved himself in battle
against the renegade Swazi prince Mbilini in the battle of the flat
hill that overlooked the Ntombi River. In this battle he’d fought
under the renowned General Ntshingwayo.
Even though no side really won, with heavy casualties on
both sides, Sikonyeli could still remember how King Cetshwayo
had rewarded his father for his bravery that day. The King gave
him a bigger kraal, the choice of weapons, more cattle. He gained
loads of self-esteem and a new prestigious regiment to lead. It had
all been good.
Sikonyeli clearly recalled the captured rifles that used to lie
around his father’s kraal. As a young warrior he often fired the
white man’s ‘Henry Martini’ single shot rifle. His father kept an
assortment of white men’s weapons. They fascinated him but he
didn’t trust them as a weapon, even though they had definite
qualities like their raw power and the distance with which they
were still able to effectively kill.
He particularly liked the rich smell of gun oil though and the
intricate carvings and creative work with iron and wood all
fashioned into a deadly weapon. And he liked the heavy feel of a
rifle. He often worked his hands around the smooth contours and
played with the action, marvelling at the precision workmanship.
The intricate craftsmanship constantly amazed him. And gun-
powder. That was overwhelming. How did the white man dis-
cover this powder? Where did it come from?
He never really became a good marksman. The gun jumped
too much when fired which annoyed him and the single shot
action meant that the weapon was only good for one shot. Good
for long range but he preferred the battle when it was up close.
You had to see your enemies’ eyes. Feel his breath, smell his fear,
before you killed him.
He knew the Tonga’s got their weapons from the Portuguese
further up north in Lourenco Marques. They traded guns for
ivory. With guns they’d almost exterminated the bulk of the
elephant population in the area. This gave them access to more
ivory, which they could then trade for more guns until there were
no more elephants left. Then they started on the rhinos.
Sikonyeli shook his head in annoyance. The guns were very
old bulky muzzle-loading guns. Devastating at close range. They
exploded with a thunderous clap, emitting a massive black cloud
of smoke that completely hid the shooter for a few seconds.
Sikonyeli knew they also carried a few modern rifles like the
Henry Martini, as well as handguns.
It always amazed him that these small tribes used the white
man’s weapons of war and weren’t interested in the traditional
spear and shield; the favourite Zulu weapons.
He came back to reality with a jolt. It had started. A low
chant at first, almost a hum like thousands of bees milling around
a massive beehive. The noise slowly grew with intensity into a
loud blood curdling, ululating wail followed by the raucous
beating of thousands of assegais thudding against rawhide shields
in unison. And then came the cacophonous staccato stomping of
bare feet on mother earth.
Sikonyeli felt the adrenalin coursing through him.
Unstoppable now. He could face the majestic lion or even the
mighty elephant. Invincible. He looked from left to right at his
warriors and soaked up their power and energy. This was his day.
Life was for the strong. A male Zulu warrior ruled supreme.
The King of the Zulu’s only recognized strength and bravery in
battle and he knew this was his chance to shine. Victory would be
swift with no mercy given. The King had demanded justice and he
would have it.
The village resting deep in the valley rapidly came to life like
an ant nest suddenly disturbed. Women and children screamed
and ran across the fields away from the mass of chanting warriors.
Dogs barked and howled in the distance.
Sikonyeli had witnessed it so many times before. Just prior to
every attack, panic and fear eclipsed the defending people.
In one movement the impi surged forward as the leading
General leapt into the air and screamed the attack.
“Bayete! Bayete!”
The command reverberated across the valley, the war charge
echoing down the length of the warriors’ lines. In unity, every
Induna screamed the charge and urged their warriors forward.
With a wave of his shield, Sikonyeli signalled his men to
follow him. He didn’t need to. It was instinct and discipline that
drove them. The hyped adrenaline drove everyone. With incred-
ible speed the mass of warriors descended down the valley
trampling the long grass and sparse bush underneath them.
Sikonyeli ran as fast as he could, brandishing his shield and
spear. There was no time for thoughts now. He knew he had the
privilege of being one of the esteemed front regiments, which
represented the thrusting power of the pincer movement. His
regiment must reach the enemy before the others. Must take first
blood.
On either side of the village, the battalion’s left and right
flanks, which created the famous Zulu pincer movement, would
enclose the village cutting off any escape.
Sikonyeli screamed. It was up to him and the forward regi-
ments to strike the first blow. Create maximum damage. Hit the
enemy hard before they could recover and send them running into
the jaws of the pincer. It worked every time.
As Sikonyeli reached the top of the field enemy warriors
rushed out to meet him, some armed with rifles.
Sikonyeli cleared a ditch with a bounding leap, his regiment
following up behind. In front, the enemy formed into a loose
formation preparing to meet them head on.
Almost in a blur he noted with disdain the forward puffs of
smoke from rifles and vividly heard the zing of shot whistling by
as enemy snipers picked out targets. Men staggered and fell
around him as they closed the distance between them.
He hit the first man low. Hard in the stomach, thrusting in
his broad blade spear, twisting wickedly and then savagely
wrenching it out in one fluid movement, extracting half the man’s
insides. He’d done it so many times before. It was so easy.
With a shove he pushed the doubled-up man away and
turned to meet his next aggressor. Sikonyeli raised his shield to
fend off a glancing blow from an axe which he thrust aside as he
dug his spear deep into the man’s chest and twisted the shaft.
A quick release and he moved forward as more of the
enemy formed up to meet them. Like marauding ants his warriors
swarmed across on either side of him. They closed tightly in battle,
no quarter given or taken.
Sikonyeli screamed triumphantly. The taste of blood escala-
ted the adrenalin that raced through him. This is what he lived for.
Thrived on. The height of battle. He didn’t hate the enemy, didn’t
want to kill them. This is just the way it was. A man was measured
in battle.
Sikonyeli saw a gap in the enemy ranks and surged forward
urging his men to follow. With his shield he smashed aside a spear
that had been wildly thrown and ran across the opening towards
the first hut.
From the side of the hut an enemy warrior emerged, armed
with an ugly twin-barrelled muzzle-loading rifle. He let off one
barrel as Sikonyeli got within stabbing distance. The grapeshot
pellets struck Sikonyeli’s shield at a pronounced angle across the
front, wrenching the shield out of his grip.
The loud crack of the shot was so close it was deafening and
dazed him. Some of the pellets penetrated through the shield and
caught him in the collarbone and shoulder. He didn’t feel the pain
but was aware of the blood that flowed and the acrid stench of
burnt gunpowder that stung his nostrils.
His aggressor then fired the second barrel as Sikonyeli
abruptly turned and swung a massive blow with his spear to the
side of the man’s head that sent him tumbling to the ground,
splitting his head open.
The force of the second barrel caught Sikonyeli full in the
stomach. He flew back, lifting off the ground and fell in a twisted
heap against his brothers. He felt no pain.
Looking up he could clearly see the face of Wendiki, gazing
down at him. She was smiling, that beautiful smile that she always
reserved only for him. The noise of the battle faded around him.
Then a bright white light glowed and encompassed Wendiki in an
Aura.
She was calling to him but he couldn’t hear what she was
saying. He tried in vain to touch her outstretched hand but
couldn’t reach it. In her hand she held a huge tooth. It had been
broken in half. He could clearly see the split in the tooth running
across the centre.
For an instant the light was blinding and then he couldn’t
see her anymore. Slowly the light faded into abstract darkness…
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