Nandi (mother of Shaka)
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{{Infobox Person
| name = Nandi kaBhebhe eLangeni
| birth_date = c. 1760
| birth_place =
| death_date = [[October 10]], [[1827]]
| death_place =
| spouse =
| children = [[Shaka]]
}}
'''Nandi''' (c. 1760 - [[October 10]], [[1827]]) was a daughter of Bhebhe, a past chief of the [[Langeni]] tribe and the mother of the legendary [[Shaka]], King of the [[Zulu]]s.
Shaka's father was [[Senzangakona]], chieftain of the Zulu clan, which was small and insignificant at the time. After giving birth to her illegitimate son, Nandi spent many hard years being shuffled back and forth between the Zulus and her own tribe. During that time she also had to protect her son from [[famine]], [[assassination]] attempts, and his own destructive temper.
She also battled slave traders at some point.
== Death ==
Despite the hard times they endured together, or perhaps because of them, Shaka loved his mother almost to the point of worship. When Nandi died of [[dysentery]] on [[October 10]], [[1827]], Shaka put on his war regalia and proceeded to scream his anguish. The entire tribe of 15,000 Zulus erupted into wailing and shrieking. On Shaka’s orders, several people were executed on the spot, and a general [[Wiktionary:massacre|massacre]] broke out. Tradition held that upon the death of someone of Nandi’s stature, several servants and attendants would be wounded or killed, but in this case, the event became a cover for many people to settle old scores. No fewer than 7,000 people died in the massacre.
Shaka himself was killed later that year by his brother.
Her grave can be found outside [[Eshowe]], off the old [[Empangeni]] road. The grave is marked ''Nindi''.
==References==
*Salmonson, Jessica Amanda.(1991) ''The Encyclopedia of Amazons.'' Paragon House. page 192. ISBN 1-55778-420-5
[[Category:1760 births]]
[[Category:1827 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from dysentery]]
[[Category:African women in war]]
[[Category:Women in 19th century warfare]]
[[Category:Women in 18th century warfare]]
[[Category:Zulu people]]