Prophesying Trends (8)

Question 1

What to scholars argue people do in face of extreme difficulties?

Answer 1

Scholars argue that in the face of extreme difficulties people tend to turn to spirituality and faith for assistance or explanations.

Question 2

Prior to _____ prophecy, came forth a number of similar prophecies.

Answer 2

Nongqawuse’s

Question 3

What prophecy was prophesized in 1855?

Answer 3

By 1855, more than five prophets had emerged in British Kaffraria saying that they were in contact with the black nation across the sea that would come to the aid of the Xhosa. The black nation was a reference to the Russians who had killed George Cathcart in the Crimean War. The prophets preached that the Xhosa people should stop the cultivation and kill their cattle. One prophetess even ordered the erections of new cattle enclosures that were anticipated to be filled.

Question 4

Who were those who adhered to the words?

Answer 4

Those who adhered to their words were the people affected the most by the spread of lung sickness, like Chief Phato’s district.

Question 5

When did the prophecies die down?

Answer 5

The trend of these prophecies died down by March 1856 when the Russians made peace with the British and the Crimean War ended.

Question 6

How did Nongqawuse’s prophecy help colonialism?

Answer 6

When Nongqawuse made her prophecy against the backdrop of impending poverty, it fell on fertile ground to be received by the Xhosa nation, and thus weakened in their resistance against colonialism.

Question 7

What was the prophecy? (9)

Answer 7

1. the dead would arise;
2. all living cattle would have to be slaughtered, having been reared by contaminated
   hands;
3. cultivation would cease;
4. new grain would have to be dug;
5. new houses would have to be built;
6. new cattle enclosures would have to be erected;
7. new milk sacks would have to be made;
8. doors would have to be weaved with Buka roots and lastly;
9. that people abandon witchcraft, incest, and adultery.