But it is not always animals that make the success of a circus. An
unfamiliar type of the human species will occasionally make the fortune
of a showman. Mr. N. Berhens, one of my ablest agents and a great
traveler, at the time of the breaking out of the Zulu war was connected
with the Royal Westminster Aquarium in London, an institution at that
time celebrated. These Zulus had made such a bold resistance to the
British government that the excitement ran high and the press of the
world contained daily reports of England's conflict with this now
subdued people. Their bravery in battle and gallant defense of their
homes attracted widespread attention and made them objects of deep
interest and curiosity. Being satisfied that their exhibition would be
everywhere heralded with approval, he determined to visit Africa,
although at the risk of his life, and secure a band of these sable sons
of the tropics, that the world might know more of their laws, customs
and characteristics. He reached Africa after a very perilous voyage
early in the spring of 1878, first visiting Durban, the headquarters of
the English army and the coast outlet to Zululand. Letters of
introduction to the British officers and the experience of three
previous trips to that country soon placed him in the way of attaining
his object. First securing the services of an interpreter and buying
his horses and supplies he followed in the rear of the columns of the
British army en route for "Ulundi," the royal Kraal of King Cetewayo of
Zululand.
When the Tugela river was reached he was surprised by the sudden
appearance of what proved to be a band of about four hundred Zulu men,
women and children, under the leadership of Oham, brother of King
Cetewayo and lieutenant-general of the Zulu army. They had come to
surrender to the British authorities, having rebelled against the rule
of King Cetewayo, who was then in the British prison at Cape Town,
Africa. This surrender was instigated for revenge growing out of the
subjugation of Oham, by the Zulu king in a strife for the rulership of
the Zulu people.
This band of natives contained three genuine Zulu princesses and the
daring chief Incomo. Negotiations were at once begun, and through the
influence of the British officers were finally concluded. Being at the
mercy of their captors a reasonable consideration was agreed upon. The
following day the Prince Imperial of France was slain by the formidable
assigais only a few miles from where he was stationed. On hearing of
his death the Zulus exhibited signs of sincere sorrow, as he was
regarded with great admiration on account of his valor. It is
characteristic of this tribe to admire and applaud courage in their
opponents, so much so, indeed, that they seem to take pleasure in
acknowledging their masters after defeat.
Arrangements were at once made for their voyage. At first the Zulus
were frightened at the idea of going on board a ship and refused to go
to the "white man's country" unless they could walk. Further
persuasion, however, induced them to yield, and they agreed to
undertake the voyage. They embarked at Durban in May, 1878, on board
the royal mail steamer "Balmoral Castle," en route for London. The
length of the voyage and the absence of land filled them with
superstition and fear, and they insisted that the captain had lost his
way; that their food would soon be gone and themselves thrown into the
sea. Indeed, so excited did they become that they visited the ship
officers in a body and insisted on knowing their whereabouts. It was
with great difficulty that they were pacified; they were all violently
seasick and believed they were under the influence of the "evil one."
This embassy consisted of three Zulu princesses, a Zulu baby, the
celebrated chief Incomo and twenty-three swarthy warriors. Their
arrival in London was greeted by over one hundred thousand people on
the docks and as far up the street as the eye could reach. Deafening
cheers ascended as they passed through the crowd, many going so far as
to pat them on the back in recognition of their bravery. Anonymous
letters were received threatening death if they were exhibited.
Mr. Cross, Home Secretary of England, issued an order prohibiting their
exhibition, but public opinion was so much in favor of their being
shown that the authorities were defied, and they were placed on
exhibition at the Royal Westminster Aquarium, London, three times a day
for two years and four months. All London came to see them. Their
performance consisted of songs and dances commemorative of marriage,
death, hunting, joy and sorrow, changes of the moon, rain, sunshine and
war. They gave exhibitions of the throwing of the assagais, that
formidable weapon which is thrown with unerring precision and with a
force capable of penetrating a horse at a distance of four hundred
yards.
The making of fire by means of friction, produced by rubbing together
two pieces of wood, was practiced nightly. Here one could see the
exhibitions of the witch doctor, his means of ascertaining disease and
his method of curing. They showed also their methods of fencing and of
conducting battles, their sports, pastimes and strange characteristics.
Among their strange customs was that of offering prayer to their king
every time they smoked. Their marriage relations are strange. When a
man becomes enamored of a girl he immediately begins negotiations with
the parents for her purchase, the price being from six to ten cows,
according to her beauty and age. A cow is worth about five dollars in
our money, so a pretty and attractive Zulu maiden is worth from forty
to fifty dollars. A man of any other nationality is at liberty to buy
them as if he were a Zulu. A man may have as many wives as he has cows
to purchase them with. Their marital laws are very strict and worthy
the recognition of many races graded higher in the scale of
civilization.
It was the intention to bring this group to America to join my show,
but owing to their enormous success in London they were not brought
until early in the spring of 1881. After their arrival in this country
they were visited by many African missionaries. In this way the
whereabouts of two missionary families supposed to have been killed
during their war were ascertained.