Blog11
During the 1850s there was an event known now as the Xhosa Cattle-Killing. This event took place in South Africa after several years of existential problems. Many of these problems took the form of natural disasters and colonial expansion. At this point many people were likely seeking an answer to these threats on their culture. So of course, someone eventually came along to fulfill that need for answers. In 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.
As one can imagine not everyone would agree to this course of action so easily. There were those who likely thought this was pure foolishness and other that were on board with the idea. 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. This in turn crippled Xhosa society, 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. Long after this event took place it still can create controversy in South Africa. The reason this matters is because this means the event has some value on how it can affect the future. Rather than merely being a subject of study of how such an event could be interpreted or explained.
One of the ways to look at this is what factors may have motivated this event. When looking at some of the events leading up one see certain facts. One there was conflicts between Xhosa and colonial entity possibly British. 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. 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. So, it could be that a Christian presence was in South Africa and was tweaked to accommodate the Xhosa plight. It is a possibility when considering all the things in history Christianity had a hand in. However, the truth of the matter may not be known in its entirety.
