Path of Blood

PATH OF BLOOD
The Rise & Conquests of Mzilikazi, Founder of the Matabele.

Peter Becker

This is a biography of a great African conqueror—Mzilikazi, "the Great Path", founder of the warlike Matebele tribe. As a young regimental commander serving in the Zulu army, he defied the tyrant Shaka Zulu and fled, with a small group of followers, into the distant interior of Southern Africa. His arrival among in- hospitable peoples coincided with a Dark Age in tribal history, a tragic era of bloody warfare which culminated in tens of warfare which culminated in tens of thousands of starving wanderers being reduced to cannibalism and the total extermination of twenty-eight distinct tribes.

Mzilikazi was ruthless in his phenomenal rise to power. He conquered the peoples of the Transvaal, Bechuanaland and what is now Zimbabwe and then moulded the captive hordes into the powerful Matabele tribe. He annihilated the marauding half- caste desperadoes of South Africa and repulsed the Zulu armies, failing only in his bid to drive the emigrant Boers from his dominions.

In Mzilikazi's time black conquerors triumphed only to be subjugated by their enemies, killed in battle or assassinated by conspirators. Mzilikazi's reign was marred conspirators. Mzilikazi's reign was marred by bloodshed and tyranny, but such was

the force of his personality and the quality of his leadership that not one member of of his leadership that not one member of his heterogeneous tribe ever attempted to plot his death. He was revered by his subjects, and among his closest friends were white pioneer missionaries such as Robert Moffat (Livingstone's father- in-law), scientists, explorers, hunters and traders.

The author's unique knowledge of the Bantu tribes, their history and languages, and his lively style have resulted in a book that will appeal not only to the student of that will appeal not only to the student of African affairs, but to all who appreciate a vivid and dramatic historical narrative.

Hardback, good condition.