Skip to main content

Primary sourcePhotographc. 1875

Photograph of Cetshwayo kaMpande, c. 1875

c. 1875

A seated photographic portrait of King Cetshwayo taken in South Africa around 1875, showing him in Zulu dress as ruler of the kingdom.

This lifetime photograph shows Cetshwayo as ruling king of the independent Zulu Kingdom, before his capture.

Ask Cetshwayo kaMpande about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Black-and-white photograph of a seated man with a band across his head, a beaded necklace, and a fur or skin cloth over his lap. He is bare-chested and bare-legged, holding a long thin stick across his knees, against a pale draped backdrop.
Photograph of Cetshwayo kaMpande, from a glass magic lantern slide, South Africa, c. 1875.

About this source

What it is

This is a photograph of a photographic image, originally made as a Victorian glass magic lantern slide around 1875 in South Africa, labelled "Cetewayo". It shows the king seated, wearing a headband and beaded necklace, with a fur or skin cloth over his lap.

Why it matters

Taken while Cetshwayo ruled the independent Zulu Kingdom, this is the image most widely used to represent him as king, before the war with Britain and his capture. It reflects how colonial photographers staged African rulers for European audiences.

Look closer

  • What does the staged studio backdrop suggest about who made this photograph and why?
  • How does this portrait compare to images of Cetshwayo made later, in European clothing?
  • What might this image leave out about Cetshwayo's role and authority as king?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Cetshwayo kaMpande on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Cetshwayo kaMpande sources

Meet the AI Cetshwayo kaMpande →
Sepia-toned studio portrait of a man in profile facing right, wearing a dark double-breasted coat, white collar, dark tie, and a white pocket square, with a close-cropped hairstyle and a stiff band-like headdress. Plain gradient backdrop.Photograph

Primary source

Portrait of Cetshwayo kaMpande, London 1882

Alexander Bassano · 1882

Oil painting of a bearded man wearing a dark headring and a necklace of large white animal teeth or claws over bare shoulders and a dark fur or hide cloak, against a pale yellow and green sky. Signature and date at lower right.Painting

Primary source

Cetshwayo, King of the Zulus

Carl Rudolph Sohn · 1882

Black and white engraved print titled 'Peace Messengers from Cetewayo'. Dark silhouetted figures crowd a grassy foreground; several wear wide-brimmed hats and carry long staffs. Behind them, a large white curved shield and tall figures with feathered headdresses stand against a hatched sky.Painting

Primary source

Peace Messengers from Cetawayo

1879

Book

Secondary source

History of the Zulu War and Its Origin

Frances Ellen Colenso and Edward Durnford · 1880

Book

Secondary source

Cetywayo and His White Neighbours

H. Rider Haggard · 1882

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Cetshwayo kaMpande now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions