[2] He set up his royal capital, uMgungundlovu, and one of numerous military encampments, or kraals, in the eMakhosini Valley just south of the White Umfolozi River, on the slope of Lion Hill (Singonyama).

[3] Captain Allen Gardiner related that Dingane was revered as the "great idol" of the Zulu nation, while a missionary, Rev.

Francis Owen, who observed his rule at close quarters while stationed at Umgungundlovu, highlighted several aspects of his despotic governance.

At their morning and evening meals, after receiving the distributed meat, they rose and exclaimed with raised hands: "Thou that art greater than the heavens.

[6] Though Dingane allowed Owen to reside just outside his capital, he considered the Christian faith a fiction of the English, which was of no use to him or his subjects.

The ikhanda consisted of a large, central circular parade ground (isibaya esikhulu), surrounded by warriors' barracks (uhlangoti) and storage huts for their shields.

The black isigodlo comprised about 100 privileged women, and within that group was another elite, the bheje, a smaller number of girls favoured by the king as his mistresses.

Archaeologists found evidence inside the hut of 22 large supporting posts completely covered in glass beads.

[8] These had been noted in historical accounts by Piet Retief, leader of the Voortrekkers, and the British missionaries George Champion and Francis Owen.

In return for their recovering some stolen cattle, Dingane signed a deed of cession of lands (written in English) to the Voortrekkers.

Suddenly, when the dancing had reached a frenzied climax, Dingane leapt to his feet and shouted Bulalani abathakathi!

[13] At the same time, Dingane's forces killed Retief's undefended trek party, about 500 Boers and native servants, including women and children.

[citation needed] Dingane ordered his army to seek and kill the group of Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius.

[citation needed] In January 1840, Pretorius and a force of 400 Boers helped Mpande in his revolt against his half-brother Dingane, which resulted in the latter's overthrow and death.

Dingane had his general, Ndlela kaSompisi, executed, and with a few followers, he sought refuge in Nayawo territory on the Lubombo mountains.