impi

The impi was a body of Zulu warriors or other Southern African native armed men. The term refers to a military organization, particularly associated with the Zulu people.1

Under the leadership of Chief Shaka, the Zulu army was reorganized and developed standardized tactics. These tactics involved dividing regiments into four groups: the "chest" to engage the enemy, two "horns" to encircle them, and a reserve "loins" for reinforcement. This military structure, known collectively as the impi, was capable of covering significant distances daily and was instrumental in Shaka's military campaigns that devastated the region and led to the formation of the Zulu Empire.2