A Zulu and his wives, South Africa (1890-1910). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

By Liana Jacob

ARTISTIC coloured photographs from the nineteenth and twentieth century epitomise the culture and lifestyle of South Africans over one hundred years ago.

The sensational pictures bring to life the Zulu and his wives, the scenic landscape view of the Devil’s Peak in Waterloo Green, Wynberg and Government Avenue in the country’s capital, Cape Town.

Lion’s Head and Three Anchor Bay (1890-1910). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

Other images reveal the crystal waters of the Tugela River near Colenso in Natal, the Bischarins family wearing traditional clothing and the picturesque view of Old Dutch Dwelling cottage-like house in Cape Colony.

Another image depicts the grave stones of British soldiers who fought in the Battlefield of Majuba Hill, the final and decisive battle of the First Boer War and took place in Volksrust on February 27, 1881.

Graves of British Soliders, Battlefield of Majura Hill, South Africa (1890-1910). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

The First Boer War which means ‘First Freedom War’ in Afrikaans, also known as the First Anglo-Boer War, lasted from December 16, 1880, until March 23, 1881 between Great Britain and the South African Republic.

Zulu are an ethnic group of Southern Africa and the largest ethnic group in South Africa, with roughly 10 to 11 million people living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Famille de Bischarins (1890-1910). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

Small numbers of Zulus live in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Cape Town is the second-most populous urban area of South Africa after Johannesburg, with the Parliament of South Africa located there, it is also the legislative capital of the country.

Native Medicine Man, South Africa (1890-1910). Public domain / mediadrumworld.com

Afrikaans is the language for Dutch settlers in South Africa.