Princess Mkabayi KaJama: Condemned And Hated Zulu Kingmaker Who Died A Lonely Woman
David Tee - AncientPages.com - What we know of Princess Mkabayi KaJama is found in Zulu oral history. Most of the information comes from what the Zulus called Praise Poems. These poems served two purposes; first, they expressed the views of the Zulu leaders. Second, they were a possibility for the people to state their dissatisfaction with what was happening in Zulu society.
Princess Mkabayi KaJam. Credit: The Zulu Kingdom
These poems played a large role in Zulu civilization until the 19th century when their language was finally begun to be written down.
The Early Life Of Princess Mkabayi KaJama
Superstition influences how people think and behave. One superstition in the Zulu society held that twins had to be killed after they were born. Mkabayi’s father, Jama seemed to be a compassionate man and refused to follow tradition when his twin daughters were born.
This act led to a hard life of rejection, disapproval and other negative behavior for MKabayi and her sister. It is possible that the rejection from their fellow Zulu people, helped develop the harsh attitude some say Mkabayi possessed later in life.
What finally won the Zulu people over to her side was when she worked hard to help her father marry a Zulu woman and the couple produced an heir. This act helped spare Jama some of the wrath the people had for him when a year earlier, he married a Thonga woman who gave birth to an illegitimate son.
Mkabayi Proclaimed Herself Regent Of The Zulu People
The existence of Sojiyisa, Jama’s illegitimate son, brought a lot of fear to Mkabayi and the Zulu people. He was a powerful person and he was seen as a threat to Senzangakhona, Jama’s legitimate heir, and his right to the Zulu throne.
See also:
Sayyida Al Hurra – Feared And Respected Pirate Queen Of Morocco Had No-One To Turn At The End
Artemisia I Of Caria – Pirate Queen And Ally Of Xerxes I Was Loyal To No-One Except Herself
Cynane: Talented Female Military Leader Assassinated While Giving A Speech
Queen Mavia And The Tanukhids Launched A Massive Revolt Against Romans – But Why?
With this threat and Senzangakhona’s minor status, Mkabayi proclaimed herself Regent of the Zulu people. This was an act Zulu women had not tried before. It was a move that did not sit well with the Zulu people either. Their newfound love for her disappeared rather quickly when she took the role of regent.
Yet Mkabayi was not power hungry or desired control over others. Once her half-brother came of age she stepped aside and let him rule on his own.
Mkabayi’s Role In Zulu History
During her time as regent, Mkabayi could not let Sojiyisa’s threat to her half-brother remain. Once she established herself, she ordered the Zulu army to destroy the illegitimate child of her father. With this act, she gained a very blood thirsty reputation.
She also sought to preserve the traditions and culture of the Zulu people while she reigned. This did not sit well with a lot of her citizens. It is after the death of her half-brother that she decided that she had the wisdom and ability to determine who could reign the Zulu people and who could not.
When her nephew, Shaka, was accused of abusing his power, she sought to depose him through assassination. She also sought the assassination of a person who helped her in this plot.
Then in contrast to these acts, she fought the mistreatment of her fellow Zulu citizens at the hands of the reigning monarchs. Because she made most of the succeeding monarchs, her word was law and she made those kings follow her commands.
Mkabayi’s Legacy
The scope of this legacy would ultimately depend upon which side of the fence you view her life and actions. Some see her as a feminist hero. Others, as a cruel bloodthirsty woman who sought power by controlling power. Others may see her as a protector of her family and Zulu heritage.
No matter how you view her, her life ended the same. Because of her role in the death of Shaka Zulu, she was condemned, hated and banished from Zulu society. Never marrying, she left no family behind to carry on her self-appointed work.
Even though she was condemned and hated, there are still many Praise Poems dedicated to her and praising her for her involvement in Zulu royal society. She died a lonely woman in 1843.
Written by – David Tee AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Shamase, M.Z. (2014), “The royal women of the Zulu monarchy – through the keyhole of oral history: Princess Mkabayi Kajama”, Inkanyiso: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 6 no. 1, retrieved from here
More From Ancient Pages
-
Ancient Egyptian Knowledge Of The Cosmic Engine And Unseen God Of The Universe
Featured Stories | Jan 15, 2019
-
Could Shipworms Be Destroying The Wreck Of Captain Cook’s Endeavour?
Archaeology | Aug 18, 2022
-
Lavish Home And Exotic Garden Of Emperor Caligula Discovered In Rome
Archaeology | Nov 19, 2020
-
Why Was Napoleon Bonaparte Defeated At Waterloo?
Ancient History Facts | Jul 3, 2017
-
On This Day In History: Battle of Devil’s Hole Was Fought – On Sep 14, 1763
News | Sep 14, 2016
-
Catherine Of Alexandria Courageously Confronted 50 Pagan Philosophers And Was Sentenced To Death
Featured Stories | Oct 15, 2018
-
Lost City That May Have Defeated King Midas’ Kingdom Phrygia – Found Accidentally
Archaeology | Feb 23, 2020
-
Never-Before-Seen Ancient Statue Of The ‘Lord Of The Desert’ Revealed To The Public – But Who Was He?
Artifacts | Mar 19, 2022
-
Enigma Of Mount Ararat – Researchers Are Determined To Reveal The Truth To The World
Featured Stories | Jun 27, 2014
-
City Of Purushattum: Oldest Known Written Document Reveals History Of 4,500-Year-Old Silver City
Archaeology | Jun 4, 2017
-
On This Day In History: Ceres Discovered By Giuseppe Piazzi – On Jan 1, 1801
News | Jan 1, 2017
-
Mystery Of Monte Albán – Ancient City ‘At The Foot Of The Heavens’ Built By The Zapotecs
Civilizations | Apr 22, 2016
-
First Pompeiian Human Genome Sequenced Fron An Individual Who Died After The Eruption Of Mount Vesuvius In 79 C.E
Archaeology | May 26, 2022
-
Taíno Indians Are Not Extinct – Ancient Tooth Reveals Indigenous Americans Still Have Living Descendants In The Caribbean
Archaeology | Feb 21, 2018
-
How Did Vikings Worship Their Gods?
Ancient History Facts | May 25, 2016
-
On This Day In History: Ramesses II Became Pharaoh Of Ancient Egypt – On May 31, 1279 BC
News | May 31, 2016
-
Hidden Rare Map Reveals How American “Hero” William Clark Broke Peacy Treaty And Robbed Indigenous Americans Of Land
Archaeology | Feb 7, 2022
-
Small Stone Carved With A Viking Ship May Be Oldest Picture Ever Found In Iceland
Archaeology | Jun 16, 2023
-
On This Day In History: Battle of Castillon Ended ‘Hundred Years’ War – On July 17, 1453
News | Jul 17, 2016
-
Remarkably Well-Preserved 2,000-Year-Old ‘Tomb Of Cerberus’ With Amazing Frescoes Discovered In Italy
Archaeology | Oct 12, 2023