Please Define the Zulu's Properly

[Abrie JF Kilian]

Greetings Civilians.

I’m a proud Afrikaner with my mother tongue as Afrikaans, but my first language is Zulu. Regarding the capitol of the Zulu’s in Civilization, I’m shocked every time to read the ridiculous names of Zulu towns and cities.

For one the capitol of the Zulu’s was not Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a country and nation consisting out of different ethnic groups. The country was named after the Great Zimbabwean ruins found in the region.

The great Zulu capitol was uMgungundlovu, founded by the greatest Zulu king ever, Shaka Zulu, which means the place of the great elephant. Ndlovu which means elephant. How is this for crash course in Zulu .The other great Zulu capitol – as Zulu kings due to pride establish their own cities – was Ulundi. Up to today, together with Pietermaritzburg, forms part of a dual capitols of the KwaZulu Natal Province in South Africa. Interestingly, Pietermaritzburg was named after one of the most rightous Afrikaner Voortrekker Leaders Gerhard Maritz. Still the traditional battler: Zulu vs the Afrikaner Boer but today Zulu and Afrikaner work together politically against the ANC.

Cetshwayo was born a son of Zulu king Mpande, who was a half-brother of Zulu king Shaka had a son Dinizulu, whom was up to today on of the wisest Zulu Kings ever and supported by Afrikaners in Zululand.

My request is that the Zulu Towns be reformed in Civilization IV to represent the true Zulu nation. My suggestions is as follows:

uMgungundlovu – Capitol
Ulundi
Empangeni
KwaDukuza
Tongaat
Babanango
Eshowe
Ingwavuma
Madadeni
Osizweni
Mpumalanga
Nongoma
Umzinto
Mkuzi
Pongola
Amanzimtoti
Umkomaas
Bekhizulu
Umdloti
Zinkwazi
Umhlanga
Dumbe

I just hope the Game Developers take note of these names and places. These are town names in the Zulu Kingdom.

Thank you.

 

[Turner]

This is something that is easily moddified in the game.

I can understand your frustration for inaccurate city names. Personally, I don't know any way to find out the names for the Zulu culture. I'm sure a quick google search would work.

Keep in mind that this is something Firaxis doesn't spend a lot of time on. Yes, they try to be as accurate as possible. But it's not always easy to get the right information in the time allowed, for whatever reason.

 

[Abrie JF Kilian]

I would love to help in any way I can. Even if its just by submitting a list of city names to Firaxes.

The question is if Firaxes ever take note of discussions on this forum. If not, how would I go about to submit the correct names to them?

 

[Turner]

I guarantee that they read the forums. Do they read every thread? That I don't know. There are a lot of threads here.

I would love to say email them a list. I just don't know where to tell you to send it too.

Certainly I would think their civ3 website (www.civ3.com) would have some kind of feedback.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Keep in mind they may not include the Zulus in CIV. They weren't in any other Civ game, or CTP so my guess is that they won't be around for the next version.

 

[Mongoloid Cow]

Trip, the Zulus have been in every Civ game so far, and I see no reason why they won't continue to appear. A couple of civs have dodgy city lists, and of them the Zulu's is unquestionably the worst. Hope they see this.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Guess that shows how long it's been since I played something prior to 3.

Anyways, I'm feeling lucky.

I got 10 bucks in my back pocket, care to make a wager?

 

[Mongoloid Cow]

The Zulus will be in. But I'll not be making a bet; you live on the dark side of the moon so when I win I won't be able to get my $10

 

[Jon Shafer]

Okay, bookmarking this thread.

You'll be sorry... circa 1 year.

 

[Teabeard]

Do the Zulus deserve to be considered a civ instead of barbarians? What makes them so different than the Huns or Goths? I personally would rather see real African civs like Zimbabwe and Ethiopia and Mali.

One thing I will say, though, is that the Zulus defeated the British army in a battle with spearmen. I guess when that happens in the game it isn't that unrealistic afterall, eh?

 

[Abrie JF Kilian]

I will fight till the bitter end for recognition of the two most influential civilizations in Southern Africa. The Zulus and the Afrikaners.

As I’m an Afrikaner I have the greatest of respect for the Zulus as our rivals, apart from the British Arch-rivals, but most of all our neighbors. The Zulus and the Afrikaners worked together in defeating the British. The Zulu sold us land and recognized out first republic.

The Zulus influence towards the demographics of the Banthu and Nguni tribes in Southern Africa is to be respected. The Afrikaners as being probably the youngest nation in the world that percentage wise contributed more than most great nations contributed over long periods of time. The Afrikaners will bring a modern flavor to African representation.

Read the other treads on this forum I noticed that people wanted more African representation. To add the Afrikaners and Zulu into Civ4 will bring balance and representation from Southern Africa and together with the Egyptians and Carthage from the North and say Ethiopia from Central Africa would bring balance and representation from Africa.

But this tread is dedicated to the Zulus and not any other civ. My point is that if you are going to add the civilizations, make sure of the facts regarding those nations.

PS: Trip the Zulus have been in Civ since day 1 of the dawn of the Civ legacy. Make sure of your fact before commenting. And Zimbabwe is not a civilization, it’s a country named after the Great Zimbabwean ruins.

 

[rhialto]

...And Zimbabwe is not a civilization, it’s a country named after the Great Zimbabwean ruins.

Similarly, the Romans empire was a mere nation named after a city. Fact is, the civilisation named after those ruins existed. What name we give it is a fair question, but as the common name for that civilization as used by archeologists is the "Zimbabwe Civilization", I can't really see any reason not to use that name.

 

[Jon Shafer]

PS: Trip the Zulus have been in Civ since day 1 of the dawn of the Civ legacy. Make sure of your fact before commenting. And Zimbabwe is not a civilization, it’s a country named after the Great Zimbabwean ruins.

I'll be pleased as punch to rub it in your face as well the day its announced the Zulus aren't in CIV.

 

[Abrie JF Kilian]

Greetings Mr. Meyer

As the debate with regards to Civ4 is heating up and everyone is excited, I just want to relive my request.

After reading Soren Johnson “How to Maintain a Successful Franchise”, I concur and add that the addition of the Afrikaners will add to an increase in game sales in South Africa which will, off coarse have an increase of exports to Africa.

The name Sid Meyer has already become a house hold name in the gamer’s family. Adding the Afrikaners could even have you running for President, that’s now if you apply for South African citizenship. (South Africa is worth visiting)

I also requested a review on the Zulu town names to have it authentic and true.

I really hope that others will support my request and that you will take it inconsideration.

 

[wakiki]

Yeah, the more accurate the names are the better. Zimbabwe is just ridiculous (although it sounds cool).

 

[warpstorm]

Speaking of accurate names, your letter would have more impact if you got Sid's name right

 

[Lockesdonkey]

We Must Resist The The Culture Of Hate. Add African Culture Group now!!!!

Suggestions are Mali or Songhay, Ethiopia, the Hausa, the Yoruba or Ashanti, the Zulu, one of the East Africans, possibly, the Zulu, of course, and--going out on a limb--the Wolof of West Africa (Senegal/Gambia/Mauretania).

The Wolof are important because they were the traders who traded with Mali and the Arabs, were the first Portugese slaves (tho they switched to Yoruba later), have among the strongest modern African cultures (Senegal virtually invented African pop and jazz) and invented groundnut stew. Mmm.

 

[Loppan Torkel]

Speaking of accurate names, your letter would have more impact if you got Sid's name right

...or maybe his letter will have more impact by spelling it wrong.

 

[Lockesdonkey]

And even more impact if he made sure that it actually was Sid.

 

[Chazbagel]

Why can't the Nubians be a civ? They are in Rise Of Nations .. (Even tho i threw rise of nations away after about 3 hours of frustration, being so used to civ)