This is coolbert: Pharmacology of the Zulus. Recent very good program on TV dealt with the defeat of the British expeditionary force by the Zulus at Isandhlawana. In the 1870's. Defeat at the time was attributed by the British to the behavior of "bloodthirsty savages" During this TV program, Zulu sangoma [witch doctor] was interviewed. This sangoma was emphatic that the outcome of the battle did was not a result of the behavior of "bloodthirsty" behavior, but rather a well thought strategy and tactics on the part of the Zulus. The sangoma then went on to say that the Zulus had a wide-ranging pharmacology available to them. A pharmacology that enhanced their fighting abilities. It would be incorrect assume that the Zulus were just a bunch of doped up savages running amuck. Different types of drugs would be used depending upon your function within the Zulu army. Drugs that each had a different desired effect. For the average Zulu warrior, a type of snuff was provided by the sangomas. Snuff that was made from the local marijuana, called locally dagga. While most marijuana produces both a intoxicating and a sedative effect at the same time, the locally harvested south African dagga has only the intoxicating effect of marijuana, but did not possess the sedative effect. Prior to battle, this snuff would be passed out and inhaled by the warriors, to produce an intoxicating effect. Another drug was passed out to specially selected warriors, organized into what can best be called "commando" units. Their mission was to penetrate the enemy lines and break the ranks of the enemy, allowing follow up Zulu units gaps to exploit. These specially selected warriors would be given a drug that would enhance all perceptions, specifically sound and visual perception. Probably giving what is called a tunnel effect. Allows the imbiber the ability to concentrate all physical energies on the task on hand, to the exclusion of all outside stimuli. You concentrate in an unnatural manner on the task on hand. Hallucinations that might accompany ingestion of this drug would be considered to be "communing" with the gods. Surely a propitious sign going into battle! A third drug available to the sangoma was a drug that possessed many of the same properties as opiate products. Pain killing ability and also a hallucinogenic effect. Progably used as a pain killer for wounded warrirors after the battle. The pharmacology knowledge of the Zulus was indeed profound, and had profound uses.

coolbert.