Blog11
During the 1850s there was an event known now as the Xhosa Cattle-Killing. This cattle killing is exactly what it sounds like. Almost all the Xhosa cattle and crop were destroyed. This event took place in South Africa after several years of existential problems.
These problems came in many different forms and were troublesome enough for this purge to be considered. These issues got to the point that people eagerly seeking an answer to these threats on their culture. By 1855 several prophets were reported offering a way to relive people of these troubles. These promises proposed certain steps to be taken to revive long deceased ancestors, restored cattle, and the removal of foreign peoples. The catch however, involves ignoring work in the fields, giving up certain practices such as witchcraft, and the destruction of their current cattle and crops.
There were those who likely thought this was pure foolishness and other that were on board with the idea. However, there could not be fence sitters for this prophecy to be affective. An attempt was made at one point but it did not have the desired result. Instead of the miracle that had been promised there was a horrible famine that claimed over a thousand of people’s lives. A great many people suffered and many more were likely ostracized for failing to obey the prophecy. Also, Xhosa society was crippled, undermining its political independence, and economic development. Since this event many different explanations have been given to explain the movement. Many of which have been displayed as media with films and books.
One thought could be that an illness was plaguing certain herds and the best way to contain it was a slaughter. Another way to look at this is what factors including outside influence. One example would any conflicts between Xhosa and a possibly British colonial entity. Like in many colonial settings most natives are seen to want outsiders to be removed. The Xhosa would likely have propaganda that would speak out for nativism. It could be understood why such extremes were even considered in the first place. After all these colonial people likely had a superior militant force. That fact would make things like force and exiling these outsiders would be almost impossible.
There is also the question of belief that would have anyone buy into this idea. The article does not go deeply into to core belief and faiths of Xhosa. There is not much certainty that the elements listed in the prophecy would be found in traditional Xhosa culture. Though by the conditions of the prophesy several assumptions can be made. The best clues come with the promise of a revival of deceased ancestors and mention of forsaking witchcraft practices. The promise of a revival and the removal of witchcraft are themes that can be found in Judeo-Christian beliefs. Christianity does have a presence throughout Africa after al. So, it could be that a Christian presence was in South Africa and was tweaked to accommodate the Xhosa plight.
