Since the 1960s the history of Natal and Zululand has been dramatically revised and this book reflects that explosion of research activity. The contributor demolish several popular myths in attempting to unravel the truth about such key issues as the origins of Nguni-speaking peoples, the growth of the Zulu kingdom and the interaction of African and settler societies. This is an essential book, not only for readers for whom the region's past holds a lasting fascination, but also for those who wish to understand more fully its present condition and future possibilities.