Volume 2

123


Home Page Thumbnails
Previous Page A–Z Next Page


Page 2.123

Creative Commons License

Concerted Motion That Strikes Terror Into the Heart: A Zulu Impi Performing the War Dance

CONCERTED MOTION THAT STRIKES TERROR INTO THE HEART: A ZULU IMPI PERFORMING THE WAR DANCE

Of all war dances still performed among native races that of the Zulus is the most impressive. In their war-paint, with nodding plumed headdresses, striped hide shields and short stabbing assegais, they are formidable figures, even taken singly. Drawn up in crescent battle array an impi is a sight to make even a brave enemy anxious. It is in this formation that the war dance is performed, the regiment stamping the feet till the earth shakes with the rhythmical thud, brandishing weapons, uttering cries, and representing all the actions of a fight to the death