Editing Zulu people (section)

=== Strength of the Zulu nation ===
[[File:Utimuni.png|thumb|[[Utimuni]], nephew of King [[Shaka]], strikes a warrior's pose]]
The Zulu nation's growth and strength were based on its military organization and skills during Shaka's reign and those of his successors. The military was organized around the ''ukubuthwa'' ("to be enrolled") system, which did away with initiation ceremonies for the most part. Each age set, or group of young men of the same age, was assigned to the same regiment (''ibutho'', singular; ''amabutho'', plural), according to the system. Girls were also subject to ''ukubuthwa'', but they were usually assigned to an age group rather than to a regiment. The ''amabutho'' were housed in military barracks (singular, ''ikhanda''; plural, ''amakhanda'') located throughout the kingdom and under the command of a close relative to (or someone else appointed by) the king.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

The barracks were designed and laid out similarly to an ''umuzi'', but on a much larger scale. Aside from military duties, the ''izinsizwa'' ("young men") were also responsible for the repair and maintenance of their barracks.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}