46 AFRICAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS
The Zulu say that to-day there is more security of life than in olden times, when a man might be killed for anything. Despite this, and despite accounts of lawlessness and favouritism, the old Zulu declare that they got justice from their chiefs and help in times of trouble. They deny that chiefs could be bribed. Mpande and Cetshwayo both gave decisions against important chiefs. The chiefs were undoubtedly cruel and capricious on occasion, but they were generous, though one old man who had been much at court said to me sadly: 'There is no chief who is kind/ The old Zulu generally shake their heads over the harsh rule of the past; and then speak of the glories under it. The life of the subjects seems to have varied with the character of their chief.
During the time of the kings, the State bulked large in the people's lives. In council and on the battle-field only could high ambitions be satisfied. In the smaller districts the men were always busy on administrative and judicial affairs when they were at home, especially after they retired from the active service, during which they had to spend a large part of their time at the military barracks. Here they starved for days, then feasted royally on meat. They lounged with their fellows, hunted, danced before the king, paraded for the national ceremonies. The king would sit and talk with his important men, discussing the law, mighty deeds, and history. Tribal and ward capitals were the centres of social life in their districts. The evolution of the barrack system affected Zulu social life considerably: it controlled marriages, and, though the old sexual labour division values remained, it was necessary for girls to assist in the work of herding and milking. The young men were not available for work at home and food had to be sent to them at the barracks. For the moment when they would be enrolled as warriors they waited eagerly, longing to join a regiment.
VII. The Period of European Rule^
Between 1887-8 the British Government finally took over the rule of Zululand, despite Dinuzulu's armed opposition. In
1 My observations on modern Zulu politics have been made especially in the districts of Nongoma, Mhlabatini, and Hlabisa, and to a lesser extent in Ngotshe, Vryheid, Ingwavuma, and Ubombo. Certain observations have also been made in towns, on travels in more southerly districts, and at gatherings of chiefs and Zulu with Mshiyeni, the Regent of the Zulu royal house.