Original subtitles

From now on you are a Zulu

and you will be my interpreter.

- Download it! "Fynn!"

What the heck is there to do?

She is alive, I saw her move. Tell them to release it!

Download it!

If what they say is true,

then the isangoma of them has powers that we can not ignore.

I want those powers at my disposal.

You have to prevent it.

Life here belongs to Shaka.

Her life belongs to Shaka.

SHAKA ZULU

KWA BULAWAYO, VILLAGE OF SHAKA JANUARY 1824

Having survived the horrible test which was the presentation ceremony,

we began to settle daily life in Kwa Bulawayo,

that was not at all an unpleasant experience,

since it was ignored

the horrendous events that involved life in the royal court.

Despite our fears, we were treated with great kindness.

We underestimate the intelligence of man.

I saw that I knew enough about the Cape Colony and the whites

to mistrust our motives.

Since the beginning adopted a friendly attitude,

but at the same time gave to understand

who was very capable of destroying us,

to us and probably to the Cape Colony if I so wanted.

Every day we attended extravagant ceremonies,

executed with a military precision type ,

that would envy the British War Office.

It was obvious that Shaka knew the value of well-planned dramatic performances.

The village, threateningly called Kwa Bulawayo, the slaughterhouse, was

the center of all events.

Tomorrow people would meet to see the court in action.

Protected by the regiment uFasimba

and by the private bodyguard, performed a morning ritual,

smearing the body with red ink and sheep's fat,

while on the outside, in the real area in front of the huge hut,

people got together.

Then he appeared, preceded by half a dozen singers,

which related the heroic deeds of the king from childhood to the present.

The people, in unison, accompanied the prized singers,

screaming and hitting the shields,

being this horrendous spectacle and, in fact, inspirational presented

entirely according to the will of the king.

If someone tired before that the king gave the signal to stop,

would be massacred on a whim of the uFasimba regiment.

We noticed that the people were untiring in their worship.

At the king's signal, the daily court was organized

and the law of Shaka was applied in front of all.

He represented the supreme court, was the only legislative source

and, like a Solomon, solved the arbitrarily important quarrels.

The most important member of the council was Ngomane,

The prime minister, that he frequently consulted

and even seemed to respect.

The military side was as we had already seen

during the trip to the capital, the most impressive.

Regiments of warriors highly disciplined,

trained by Shaka's apparently exclusive battle method.

From the time that he himself trained his men,

the generals were the most trusted friends

and the only ones in that domain who listened.

And it was these whom he trusted the expansion of the boundaries of the empire.

In these functions, Shaka could not take the risk of being betrayed.

What brings me to Dingane, the half brother of the king,

a man in whom few in Kwa Bulawayo trusted.

We are of the same blood, Mfowetu.

Few men know you as well as I do.

Dingane barely managed to survive because the king used it

to take him to the most dangerous traitors.

Unsuspecting, Dingane had joined Shaka's enemies,

one of them, the most dangerous of all, Wide.

The swallows are about to arrive at Kwa Bulawayo.

It's a good time to attack.

We will let the people think that their death was caused

by the curse of white men.

But the bodyguard network is

impenetrable and incorruptible.

Nothing is impenetrable and incorruptible.

Work on that.

And so we were dragged little by little

for an ever deeper level of intrigue that enveloped the king.

Francis was determined to enter the game in any way,

as long as it was advantageous for our purpose.

Almost satisfies the king's belief in our supernatural power.

This despite the fact that our position was more and more precarious

and above all increasingly difficult

get out of the complicated situation we were getting into.

I was constantly forced

to write the events and the intrigues that happened around us.

It was indeed such a different world from our experience,

not even the most imaginative writer could calculate

as was Shaka's court.

When examining the situation, three characters,

three women emerged as influential forces in Kwa Bulawayo.

Almost always present in the main rites were Nandi, mother of the king,

Mkabayi, king's aunt, and Sitaye,

the grotesquely old and weak healer.

The best way to describe it might be saying

which constituted the spiritual arm of the court,

more or less as an archbishop,

although I do not think he would like the comparison a lot.

She had great power

and no one knew his age.

Centennial figures were rarely discussed,

as to the supernatural powers of her were praised by all.

But Nandi is the one who emerges as the most influential force in this story,

that, by gathering its elements,

seemed to me more and more incredible.

Legends of supernatural forces, great prophecies and magical spells,

wrapping the power of the king and forging his sword,

almost like a legend of Excalibur.

But the conviction of the people who told me these stories was such,

I felt compelled to at least write them

and let the readers decide what is true and what is fantasy.

SOUTH AFRICA 1786

From what I got to understand, everything started

about 1780.

The Zulus were a small tribe and insignificant.

The son of the king, the arrogant and daring Prince Senzagakona unchained

a day that was hunting, a series of events,

that would go to alter the history of the Zulu people.

This is becoming very risky, Ndabezitha.

No risk is not so graceful.

Anyway, I will get tired of it before my father finds out to me.

Nandi, he is Prince Senzagakona.

- I know. - It's a good time to meet.

I know. Go and take them all with you.

Go.

Nandi.

I was watching you from the bushes.

And your eyes say that you love me.

How can I love a man I do not know?

Because I am the son of the king and radiate a powerful influence,

Wherever I go. You felt that influence.

Influence? I did not feel anything like that.

And my eyes lied to you.

You can not lie to the son of a king.

Son of a king?

I am not an animal to hunt.

You are playing with my feelings.

At least let's enjoy it.

If I make love to you, I want more than that,

more than pleasure.

Very good.

What if someone sees us?

Nobody will see us, except the birds.

And my eyes lie to you now?

No, they only tell the truth.

THE KINGDOM OF THE ELANGENI

Nandi.

Sakubona, Baba. - Nandi, we were waiting for you.

I have good news.

Gendeyana honored our family by asking you in marriage.

And we agreed

that the price would be 10 cattle, which we think is very generous,

And being you the first woman,

we decide that for many times he remarries,

you will always be the main wife.

And your firstborn will be the main heir

of his father's inheritance. When you return.

The marriage of your mother's relative, with the Zulu family,

We will announce the engagement to Gendeyana.

What do you think?

Ten cattle, Gendeyana?

That is very generous. "And what do you expect of me?"

- Love? - Nandi.

Mother, this is not what I want.

Excuse me, Gendeyana. She will do as she is told.

Nandi.

I apologize, Father.

Me too.

No man has the right to give life to a wild cat,

not knowing how to tame it.

Nandi, Gendeyana is a good man.

Has patience to tolerate your temper,

because he really loves you.

What else can you want? - Much more.

Much more, Father.

KINGDOM OF THE ZULUS VILLAGE OF THE KING JAMA

I want it soon for the holidays.

Beautiful animal.

You already know my girlfriend?

If I met her?

I chose it.

What is she like?

Senzagakona, dear brother,

I have to remind you that only you are the heir to the Zulu throne and not me,

because of that thing you have between your legs.

It would be too much to ask you to use it from time to time,

with a view to improving our kingdom.

That's how she is.

And on the chosen day, tribes of distant lands were reunited in the Zulu kingdom

to witness Senzagakona's marriage to the first woman.

It was an important event for the Zulus,

because they were not a particularly strong people.

They needed to form alliances with more powerful tribes,

with whom they could join in times of war.

King Kondlo of the Qwabes. - Ndabezitha.

= King Makedama of the Elangeni. - Ndabezitha.

King Sodub of the Nzuza. - Ndabezitha.

His Majesty, the King Jama of the Zulus, welcomes you,

you and your families, to the house of Zulu.

That the festivities of today, unite our clans in peace.

I welcome you to Zulu's house, Ntombazi.

Take care of us and we will take care of you.

Ancestors of Amazulu,

Accept this bride as one more daughter of your family.

Grant him happiness and many strong children.

Let there be noise, let there be laughter.

Sacrifice a bull.

When will the boy learn to behave like a prince?

Get this off.

Ghubela, why did not you tell me that Nandi was going to be here?

I did not know, Ndabezitha, but be careful, it can cause problems.

What problems can it cause?

What if your father discovers?

Beer.

Nandi.

Bring me beer!

You use me as a toy.

- My little Elangeni. - For.

Marry me, prince, make me one of your wives.

Where is my drink?

You go to look for it.

No.

Leave me alone.

Release me.

You're only going to make things worse.

We start this together,

We are going to finish it together.

Why did you stay with her, after your marriage?

Senzagakona, my son,

Your spies are my spies. Now answer.

Did the members of the Council meet to discuss a woman?

Answer.

What's wrong?

Does that mean that you plan to be with her again?

- Maybe. - Maybe?

And what do you think of her behavior in the marriage?

- Fiery. - Good,

Imagine that you are the King Kondlo of the Qwabes,

or Sodubo of the Nzuza.

What would you think about it?

Who is cute.

And disobedient and dangerous.

And what would you feel if you were Kondlo or Sodubo?

That she insulted and humiliated you.

Your pride should have prevented you from seeing her again.

They are already saying that she has enchanted you.

If justice were done, it would be executed

for its disdainfulness in front of a prince of the Amazulu.

You're going to forget that woman.

This is not an order, it is an order.

- Ghubela. - Ndabezitha.

Go, kill him, if that makes you feel better.

- Go, kill him. - Leave it alone.

The prophecy was about to be fulfilled

with Sitaye gathering all possible power

to start a series of events

that would be fulfilled this prophecy budgets .

VILLAGE OF THE ELANGENI

ROYAL VILLAGE Zulus Meanwhile, in the kingdom of the Zulus,

Senzagakona woman also felt the symptoms of pregnancy,

but something was not right.

Apparently there were forces conspiring against it.

- Have you cast the spell? - If, Baba.

- It will be a child, if it survives. - He has to survive.

It is difficult, Baba.

The energy is too small for both to survive.

- What do you mean, old? - At the moment, you may have to choose.

There is no choice, he has to survive. Make sure of that.

Do not worry, daughter.

Your father is going to seek advice from King Makedama and Ngazana

and demand justice.

So the parents of Nandi sent a messenger,

demanding that Prince Senzagakona take responsibility.

Come closer, my son.

- Did you disobey my orders? - No, Baba.

And as you say, the woman is dangerous.

She is capable of everything, even of lying, only to have what she wants.

Mudli. - Ndabezitha.

Send the messenger back.

He must announce that...

Jama's son does not remember anyone

call Nandi, daughter of Bhebhe.

If she says she's pregnant,

or is it from another man,

or is I-Shaka, beetle disease.

Ndabezitha.

Senzagakona, my son,

you send me next to our ancestors

with a lie.

Leave me.

Certain forces were beginning to change the course of the Zulus story.

The king was dying and Nandi's baby could belong to royalty,

if Senzagakona succeeded his father on the throne.

Meanwhile, Nandi was summoned for a mysterious encounter

in the jungle of Nkandla.

She thought it would be with the prince,

but I did not know.

Senzagakona.

Senzagakona.

Yes, Baba.

Will she go?

Yes.

Must want to know what the prince has to tell him,

so private and urgent.

- Mudli. - Yes, Nkosi.

Take care of it.

Protect it from its surroundings.

He will need you,

As I need you.

I'll do it, Jama Kandaba Zulu.

I promise.

Senzagakona.

Senzagakona, enough.

Daughter of Bhebhe,

Of your womb will be born the first-born of a king,

that will give rise to a great nation

bloodstained spears

and black and roaring shields.

Contemplate the eternal spear, inherited from generation to generation.

Contemplen, you who belong to this clan,

he who is from this day your king.

MONTH OF UNTULIKAZI (JULY, 1787)

Nkosi.

What happened? Baba...

Speak.

Your wife gave birth.

Exit.

Is it male?

The midwife says it's normal. It happens frequently.

Answer, woman.

Is it male?

Yes.

And what happened?

Baba...

No.

I already asked for help.

- Roll this on your feet. - Do I tighten the rope?

- Mother. "Calm down, everything's fine."

We will bring this beetle to the world, when it is ready.

Salt. You know you can not be near

of a woman in labor.

Grab the rope.

Force.

Well, now force yourself.

It's killing me, mother.

The more you fight, the more you love.

- Strength. "He's resisting, Mother."

Not this one, no. Again. Force.

The head is already outside. Force.

It's a boy, Nandi.

It's a boy.

This is the beetle, mother. His name is Shaka.

And it is a beautiful beetle, daughter.

The son of a king.

He is much more than that,

much more.

History took its option

and in Africa a force was generated,

which over time would shake own bases

of the African sub-continent.