One of the most important factors to discuss when analyzing radical social movements is the context in which these movements occurred. In many cases of the groups that we have studied, it seems like the groups’ outcome was almost predetermined or destined to happen because the members of the group fell prey to their societal situation. Things just sort of fell into place. When first reading over the causes of what led these people to their “current” (not present, but the overall outcome) situation, it seems as though they were simply victims of chance and coincidence. This is only partially true. Coincidence does factor into these movements in a very large way, but what is just as important as these coincidences is both the groups’ and important individuals’ reactions to these coincidences. In particular, I am speaking about the Xhosa people of Africa. In my opinion (and it seems to me to be the opinion of J.B. Peires), there was a specific sequence of events, some out of the control of the Xhosa people, that ultimately led them down a path of death and destruction. These events happened over the course of many years. The combination of these events and the way the Xhosa people reacted to these events created a s
nowball effect that buried the people in an avalanche of troubles that was practically impossible for them to recover from. What happened to the Xhosa people was caused by the responses they had to the social turmoil around them. In this essay I will list and analyze these events to show how this snowball effect was created, and reveal how different interpretations of these events created individual motives and influences which led these people so close to what could easily be called mass suicide.
The first and most important thing to mention about the Xhosa people and the great cattle killing is the importance that livestock held in their lives. This is central to the outcome of these people, and many of the problems that arose in the society stem from this one single thing. Livestock was everything. The more livestock you had gave you more power and authority among your people. “It could control young men by deciding how and when livestock was transferred, often as a bridal price that the parents paid which created an obligation on the kids’ behalf to the parents. It also gave you political power among the people and showed the wealth that you possessed.” ( lecture 9/24/03) This is an extrem
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