Causes
Theories vary as to the causes of the catastrophic warfare and migration of many tribes in the area. Supposedly, populations had increased greatly in Zululand following the Portuguese introduction of maize (corn) in Mozambique from the Americas. While corn was more productive than the grains from native grasses, it required more water during cultivation. The agricultural surpluses and increased population enabled Shaka to raise a standing army of Zulus. By the end of the 18th century, the Zulus occupied much of their arable land. Declining rainfall and a ten-year drought in the early 19th century set off a competition for land and water resources among the peoples of the area.
Other possible causes were the Zulus' adoption of new tactics and weapons during this period. Instead of using throwing spears, the Zulus used broad-bladed, stabbing spears known as iklwa, which were deadly in close combat. The Zulus also instituted a form of conscription, in which every man had to serve the king as soldier in special age regiments, known in English as impis. Many of the Nguni peoples adopted the same practice, putting most of their men under arms. This greatly expanded the scale of regional warfare.
It is worth noting that there were three major tribes which occupied the areas now known as Nquthu, Babanango, Empangeni, Mtubatuba, Hlabisa, Nongoma, Pongola, Vryheid, Melmoth and Mahlabathini. Those tribes were The Buthelezis, the Ndwandwes and the Mthethwas. They were respectively led by Phungashe of Ngwane, Zwide, and Dingiswayo. These were the most powerful tribes. The language now known as Zulu was spoken by the Ndwandwes. The Zulus were a very weak tribe under the leadership of Senzangakhona. They spoke a thsefuya language. A language in which "l" is pronounced as "y". for instance "suka lapha", meaning move from here, would be expressed as "suya yapha". These three tribes are still found in these areas even nowadays. The Zulus were a weak minority occupying small piece of land in the area now known as Makhosini near Babanango.
Oral history tells us that after the death of Mvulane, younger brother of Phungashe, Mvulane's sons Khoboyela and Ngqengelele escaped being killed by Phungashe over their father Mvulane's estate and went to live with Senzangakhona and Ngqengelele introduced contact combat and use of short spears in Zululand. Most of the members of the Buthelezi Tribe had left with Khoboyela and Ngqengelele. When Shaka attacked the Buthelezis, Phungashe's men were outnumbered by the combination of the Mthethwas, the Buthelezis under Ngqengelele and the Zulus though he was defeated after a very long fierce battle.
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