PS. The writer of this work does not boast of any sufficient knowledge of south African culture. He is a Nigerian, who has never being outside the shores of his country boarder. He only decided to explore the opportunity offered on the net to develop this work in the culture of the Zulu people.

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This is a fictional drama. All names and place mentioned related to real life events are not intentional.

The flaws and errors are entirely the author’s.

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Characters

Shaka____King of Zulu

Langa____Queen of Zulu

Prince of Zulu

First Maiden

Second Maiden

Sangoma____The Diviner

Herbalist____Sangoma's Assistant

Umpriesti___The Goddess of the forest

Lungelo____ Warrior

Itchi____Warrior

Abatu____Warrior

Funani____Warrior

Old Witch

Two Evil Spirits

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Names, Words and Meaning

Langa_____ Sun

Funani____Search or Want

Itchi____Youth

Abatu____People

Lungelo____Right is much flexible than you think

Sangoma____Zulu word for Diviner

Umpriesti____Priestess

Ikosi_____King

Umoya____Spirit

Unkulunkulu____God

Yebo____Yes

Ithalente____Talent

Ihlathi____Forest

Isizulu____Language of Zulu

Amazulu____Town of Zulu

Zulu____A native town in South African

Wumukelekile____Welcome

Mutili____Medicinal substance for Cure and Destruction

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Prologue

It was in the summer of 1886 that the British raided the ancient land of Zulu kingdom. With sophisticated weapons and state of the real art the people of Zulu had never seen before. The British sole aim was to conquer and harness Zulu, as they did the other African kingdoms. But the Zulus displayed one of the greatest resistance to have ever been seen In a battle take over. This was inspired by the leadership of their feared king Shaka. He is a great warrior with the full respect of his people. He wasn't loved by the people, but they respected him for his virile power and sound intellect in battle strategy. His wrath was unleashed on the enemies without remorse or mercy. The neighboring towns bow at the very words he spoke, they worshipped the sand he trout.

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The community of Zulu and its neighborhood lived in peace since the victory of the British invasion. And the fearsome king returned home to being a loving husband.

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However, he was stuck down with the weakness of the mind because he has had no battles. He grew sick by the day and weaker by seconds. News spread round to the neighboring towns that king Shaka was dying and the British has seen this as their greatest opportunity to conquer the very king and land that defeated them. But all hope is not lost, the king could be treated to recovery to help lead the resistance of the British invasion. But drastic measures has to be taken!

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Act 1, Scene 1

In the Zulu royal Kraal , Shaka walks into the stage. He is sick. He tries sitting on his thrones and falls to the ground. Enters Queen Langa with two of her maidens, as well as the Prince. She is frantic and wails to the very thought of losing her husband.*

Queen Langa:

Shaka don't leave me to die. Don't leave your kingdom(in isizulu). We are hopeless without you! (To the maidens) Get me water! (Maiden runs out to bring water, queen continues wailing)...(to the second maiden) call me Sangoma (runs out to call Sangoma).

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Prince:

Woman you should be at peace with yourself. Put a pause to this nonsense.

Sangoma sensing that there was something wrong in the Royal Kraal was making his way there, with his herbalist. Enters the scene saying some incantations in isizulu. The herbalist is carrying a calabash of his medicinal source.

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Sangoma:

hmm...I smell blood. (Continues incantation) hmm...I smell death! (Approaches the lying king)

Herbalist:

(to the prince in the royal Kraal) You greet not your diviner? (Mutters something in isizulu)

Prince:

Of what use are our greetings in the face of a dying body?

Sangoma:

Shaka, the Ikosi of Zulu. The lion of Amazulu. The one that conquers millions. The fierce demon of the white men. (Touches him and applies some mutili to his mouth. He senses something strange)

Hmm... Ikosi is dying and it is apparent that we are doomed. (Wails heightens in background). But all hope is not lost. There is but one way Inkulukulu could save him.

(Looking at the sky) There will be an expedition to Inlanti of Isandwama. This will be done by two cultured maidens of Zulu and two full blooded men of Zulu. They must obtain from the Goddess(Umpristi) the white Mutili, which has the capacity to bring Ikosi to life. Their journey will not be swift, but it must be done in four days in other to save the king. Four days!___I have spoken. (Continues incantations in isizulu and leaves with his herbalist) (All Characters exits the stage)

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Act I, Scene II

In the streets of Zulu. Young men and maidens of Amazulu were playing games and having a good time. Some guards from the Royal Kraal approaches the scene in hide and enters with war cry to raid the citizens.

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Guards:

(In isizulu) stop there! Hold them! Hold them! Don't let any of them escape! (They reached for them all with a tight grip)

Funani:

What have I done? Leave me! (In isizulu) help Nana! They are taking me. I am getting married (tries to loosen grip all to no avail)

Itchi:

(sobbing tirelessly) I am an orphan! I am an orphan! (In isizulu) Don't kill me ne!

Abatu:

(walks in defence) if you must take my Friend, I should be taken too. (the guards nodded at one another in accomplishment and all exits stage).

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Another raid is made in the hunting forest. In the same manner as the first.

Lungelo:

Away with your grip before unkulukulu strikes you with his lightning. I am the lioness of Osaka, I am the talisman of my people. I am not to be intimidated nor belittled. (guards look stunned) It is obvious that you are the king guards, if the king needs me, I will serve him with the strength of my ancestry. I can never be cowed! (Guards makes signs among themselves and all exuent the stage)

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Act I Scene III

The captives were moved to the sacred home in the royal kraal. They have gone through some spiritual cleansing and rituals. All walks in with leaves on their mouth crossing a steaming calabash on the stage. They all knelt in unison.

(Enters Sangoma with his Herbalist and Spiritual Portions, he does the final ritual on them)

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Sangoma:

Today you boys become men and girls grow into womanhood. But first receive the spear(paused, the herbalist hands them the spear)... and the shield_symbols that you are ready for battle and to be the protection of amazulu. (Continues incantation in isizulu)

(To Funani) You my daughter have proven to be a mother and leader of these warriors. (Dips his hands into another calabash and brings out 2 ithalente) Take these(gives it to her). Guard it with your own life, for by it you shall bring umayo to your dying king. Remember, the coded figments of your hair shall be your strength and map out of the ihlathi!

(To Abatu) My son, You are a brave Man. A lord in your land that is forged through iron and servile blood. However, your compassion could be your strength or your weakness. You will be a rock to your warriors. To you I give Five(5) Ithalente. It shall serve as mpilo to you in the Ihlathi of Isandwama.

(To Lungelo) Fierce one. The lady that was forged in with the heart of man. You are fisty and strong. You have shown resolved and determination in service to your king and sheer passion for his survival. But remember fierce one, that in most circumstances, discretion is the better part of valour. (Gives her three (3) ithalente)

(To Itchi) hmm...(takes a keener look on him). Since the loss of your mother you seek a greater purpose to life. A purpose to make right the wrong that was done to you. Now is your opportunity. Take it( gives him One (1) ithalente) for this one piece is enough to correct all ills in the land of Zulu. Your intuition will sustain you in the Ihlathi.

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Sangoma:

I must warn you. The journey is not an easy one. You must all keep close to one another and at all times wear these protective charms. Because the Ithalante that is given if not guarded well will be lost! Rise and depart to go save Ikosi! (A shout of war cry is made and a war dance is done. All Exits stage)

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Thanks for the Read

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@camzy made this toons for me.

Image source:pixabay and google

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