Zulu

What astonishes me about my Zulu studies, more than anything else, is how little I knew. Yes, I had a vague understanding of the horns and body formation of the main attack plan, and through conversations with Michael, I knew about herbs and rituals to prepare the warriors. Albeit Michael is from an Ashanti warrior tribe and not the Zulu region of southern Africa. Nevertheless, he tells a good story about his grandpa and the tin bath and his ritual immersion as grandaddy wanted him to experience the warrior preparation. That story ends with Michael's Mum chasing and shouting at the old man. Certainly a good beer story and one for the women, almost as funny as the 'stumbling into the elephant story' while out hunting. Maybe story telling is an African thing. It certainly engages the fairer sex, but of course story telling is an important part of maintaining a record and handing down the history. European encroachment into Africa brought with it a new dimension to the record keeping. But not necessarily a more accurate copy, as traders and others had their own agenda when relaying the story relevant to tribe or leaders concerned. Much of that approach was about how to secure land and resources for further exploitation. So, genuine people who cared for their kin were portrayed as the devil. Military defeat was blamed on poor hardware or lack of resources. It was difficult for the European to accept that the native Zulu warrior were better prepared, better fighters, and often had better leaders. Warriors who adapt to the terrain, and could plan with expertise. There are examples of European and Boer cavalry being drawn onto land that was unsuitable for the horses but enabled the Zulu to rush forward on foot with great success. Engagements, where the Zulu picked the terrain to channel superior resources into small openings and the effective use of guerrilla warfare. Unfortunately the Zulu cause was doomed from the outset, as England in particular had superior weapons, and significant human resources to reinforce their army. Once a decision was made to exploit the land and the people, there was little that could be done to stop the rot. Albeit there were some stunning successes by the Zulu army, although their most significant victory at Islawanda was also their greatest defeat, in that the army was badly mauled and the leader was criticised for not paying full attention to the ritual. The English success at Rocke's Drift was more about secondary commanders ignoring the instructions issued by their leader, and like Islawanda, warriors being to keen to engage without careful preparation. Given the last major encounter where the English fought off the Zulu in open ground while formed in a square, the barricades at Rorke's Drift sought of add to the inevitability of that outcome. Mind you, the significant number of 11 VC's were awarded at that minor engagement in 1879 (and military heroics is another interest of mine). If you think that heroics were restricted to the English as commented upon by their military historians then you are very much mistaken. Valour during battle was equally displayed by the Zulu, often with the award of livestock and land. Although unlike the Europeans, a lack of valour by the warrior could and often did result in execution. And although this is a downside of Zulu military history, the social aspect of a post campaign analysis and punishment did maintain a sense of order and power. The Zulu leadership held the Power Monopoly amongst their people and warriors who did not perform sufficiently (or were accused of a lack of valour even when they fought well) were dispatched. That aspect of the intricacies of tribal relationships is still prevalent throughout the World today. Not 'tribal' as in Africa, but within any group of people that are formed for whatever reason. Those who are liked are often safe, and those that fall foul of the monopoly holders live in fear of punishment.

Family

It is always important to provide a good welcome to friends and family. And I suppose that link provides an excellent opportunity to upload a current picture of one of my three lovely daughters. Someone who always looks after me when I visit her place and we get out and about in the City. And I enjoy providing a good welcome whenever she visits us on the coast. Hospitality is important, but sometimes you don't get what you bargained for and I will explore that point in my next post about Zulu leaders. Sound Commanders, whose military ability was as good as the best, that Europe had to offer.

Warmer

The warm weather reminds me of Africa. It has been a lovely weekend, mainly because the forecast rain held off. This meant another few days of shorts and sandals, chatting to friends in town and the odd meal out. Even the 112 lengths of the swimming pool across Saturday and today was a relaxing joy. The cool water with the warm air outside, brought a total of 218 lengths completed this week along with 2 hours and 29 minutes of walking. I even managed to cut the grass and do some model making and airbrushing in the garage. And tonight I started painting again after a long lay off. A Katherine Jenkins Music DVD, my acrylics and steady progress towards completing a 'Heroes' painting that I promised one of my daughters some time back. Although, it is hard going indoors and a storm must be brewing. But however 'close' it gets, or however high the temperature sores, the 31 degrees of the other week pales into insignificance compared to the heat in Ghana. The very heat that the 44th President of the United States of America has just enjoyed. I wonder if President Atta-Mills made Barack Obama as welcome as Jeffers and Tamara made me?

During his visit to Ghana, Barack Obama told the Ghanaian Parliament that "Africa must take charge of its own destiny in the World" and that good governance was vital for development. I believe in fate, and only this week I was searching what was meant by good governance. It can mean many things to many people, but one thing that is certain, is that it includes maintaining democracy and the upholding of the democratic process, be it at local or national level. Governance also applies to organisations and public bodies and the need for them to function albeit with support, in a transparent and equitable manner that is open to scrutiny and challenge by the communities that the group, politicians, authority serve and in true democratic style are answerable to. The First Lady visited Slave Castle, a pilgrimage that I had intended to make during my visit, but unfortunately circumstances took over, and the intended trip along the coast was put off. For me, that would have been the highlight of my African odyssey. Alas it was not to be, but maybe that will be the reason why I return to Africa at some point in the future.

Democracy

And of course following on from my last post; achievement is a great thing. The election of Opposition leader John Atta Mills as President, was a great achievement and a new beginning for Ghana. The fact that the election was in the main without incident (given the circumstances surrounding the voting), is a credit to Ghanaian's. The success of Ghanaian democracy is an example to all on the Continent of Africa. But who would have thought that America's 44th and first Black President Barack Hussein Obama, would pick Ghana as his first port of call for an inaugural African visit? For Ghanaian's and Africans everywhere, this must be regarded as a historic moment within a historic year, and further strengthening of the values of democracy in Ghana.

Social networking

The 35 minute walk is not too long. It's just right for a healthy lifestyle and to fit neatly into the lunch break. The hill work raises the heart rate, but the total distance is probably not that far. However, distance is always relative. And whatever the walking distance, the length of road journeys and the duration of a flight - what never ceases to amaze me is the way in which Social Networking sites and mobiles phone connections really do shrink our World. I just received a tagged photograph on Facebook of Jeffery A. Adjei, AKA Jeffers. It is really nice to see Jeffery and Tamara looking so happy and enjoying time with friends. It was also nice to receive a text message from Jeffery in Ghana the other day at just gone Midnight. Albeit the circumstances of the text message was not so good as he was enquiring about the Michael Jackson news. What was good, was the ability to instantly interact across Continents, and all in all it really is quite inexpensive for what you are actually achieving.

Hills

316 lengths is good, but of course it's not the be all and end all of the physical activity regime. Today I managed that walk during my lunch break. Out of my current office and up a hill, down another hill, up a third and much steeper hill and then back down the original hill and into the office. 35 minutes in all and that really got the heart and lungs pounding. I cannot remember seeing that many hills in Ghana. They were there as I remember the trek by taxi through the pot hole ridden roads to and from Mrs. G's in the severe rain and flooding, but whenever I was walking it was always on the flat.

316 Not Out

Well the weekly target tumbled this morning. Another 50 lengths and the 300 barrier was broken with a weekly total of 316 lengths of the University swimming pool completed. Not bad considering that my weekly target is now 200 lengths in total and a few hours walking. Each of the 5 sessions at the end of the week consisted of 50 lengths or more and the early morning swimming on the way to Carmarthen at the start of the week each brought in over 30 lengths. Tomorrow it's a hill walk during my lunch break in work. That will get the heart and lungs working, and is a nice way to break up what after all are very long days with the 3 hour commute.

Targets Tumble

Bula matari or not, one myth that has been broken is the number of lengths that I am capable of swimming in a single day. The previous high was 80 lengths, 40 in the morning and 40 in a second session later the same day after a significant break. That value was replaced with the current high of 84 lengths in one morning session last Saturday. But even that target tumbled when I managed 60 lengths yesterday morning with a 0730 start before work and another 52 in the evening starting at 1730. For me, an astonishing single day total of 112 lengths. To cap it all, although it was the weekend, I got up early today and arrived at the pool for 0900 and another 54 lengths. My single session target has fallen, my daily total has fallen and with 266 lengths completed so far this week it looks like my weekly maximum number of lengths will also tumble. Bula matari folks, we can all do it if we are motivated enough.