Xhosa Wars facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Xhosa Wars |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Resistance fighters defend a stronghold in the forested Water Kloof during the Eighth Xhosa War in 1851. Xhosa, Kat River Khoi-khoi and some army deserters are depicted |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
Xhosa Kingdom |
European settlers
|
||||||||
.svg){kind=small}
The Xhosa Wars (also called the Cape Frontier Wars or Africa's 100 Years War) were a long series of nine conflicts. They happened between 1779 and 1879. These wars were fought between the Xhosa Kingdom and European settlers. The fighting took place in what is now the Eastern Cape in South Africa. These conflicts were the longest military actions during the time of African colonialism.
The wars were complicated. There were often disagreements among the Europeans themselves. This included arguments between the big empires and the local colonial governments. Also, there were rivalries among the Xhosa chiefs. Europeans often used these disagreements to get involved in Xhosa politics. For example, Chief Ngqika and his uncle, Chief Ndlambe, had their own conflicts.
More Pictures
-
Map of the Cape Colony in 1809, showing its eastward expansion
-
The murder of Chief Hintsa is an enduring atrocity in the memory of the Xhosa nation.
-
Sir Andries Stockenström, 1st Baronet, and veteran of several Xhosa wars
-
The Fengu ("Fingoes"), known across southern Africa as skilled gunmen, were invaluable allies of the Cape Colony in its frontier wars.
-
Sketch of the shoot-out as British Imperial Troops attempt to storm Sandile's position in the Amatola Mountains.
-
Mobile mounted commandos were highly effective in the mountainous frontier terrain.
-
A column of Xhosa gunmen, crossing a ravine in the frontier mountains
-
The Cape Mounted Riflemen charging the enemy at Waterkloof during the 8th Frontier War
-
Chief Maqoma. Xhosa military leader in several of the frontier wars
-
A British column (74th Highlanders) under ambush in the Waterkloof forests
-
Nongqawuse (right) with fellow prophetess, Nonkosi
-
Map of southern Africa on the eve of the final frontier war (1876)
-
Chief Sarhili (centre seated) was under pressure from belligerent factions of his own government.
-
Cape Colony militia – Fengu and Boer – on the frontier, 1878
-
British Governor Bartle Frere sought to annex Gcalekaland to the British Empire.
-
Engagement near Ibika – 1877
-
The great Chief of the Ngqika, Mgolombane Sandile, veteran of several frontier wars
-
The Amatola Mountains, setting for the final stage of the war.
See also
In Spanish: Guerras Xhosa para niños
