The Zulu and Sokoto Caliphate

Emma VerstraeteAP World History

7th Hour

Discuss the process by which the Zulu and the Sokoto Caliphate were created. How typical were these examples of African state-building in

this era?

Creation of the Zulu State

Started by a young military genius named ‘Shaka’

As power and population increased surrounding areas became demoralized

To protect themselves from the Zulu outlying regions occasionally created small states

Shaka created a new national identity by dividing people into age ‘regiments’

Regiment members lived and worked together to learn new customs and lore of Zulu society.

Creation of the Sokoto Caliphate

Occurred under the Hausa states

Demanded religious reform, tolerating older religions no longer accepted

The main point of a jihad– or holy war

Muslims unhappy with their social or political position were large factors, they formed armies and forcibly took over the surrounding areas in the name of preserving Islam

African State Building

Typically happened due to war fare

Another way it happened was due to an attempt to protect from war nations, such as the Zulu

Old traditions blended together to create new cultures as territories were conquered