The Dead Will Arise: Nongqawuse and the Great Xhosa Cattle-Killing Movement of 1856-7

by J.B. Peires

The Dead Will Arise is a book written at two levels. It is both an exciting and gripping narrative and an extended analysis of the relation between religion and logic, the impact of extreme situations on human behavior. Anybody interested in Africa, in religion, or in the process of colonial domination will want to read and reread it.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, South Africa, Africa, Historical, Religion, Anthropology

364 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Jeffrey Brian Peires

Reviews

[Doreen Petersen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was okay but not great. A little one-sided in parts. I wouldn't bother with this one.

[Abbey Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts out wild and keeps getting wilder. This largely unknown narrative of the South African cattle killings is important and compelling.

[Eric Hudson]

Recommed to me by very old Yoruba Man. As is their great noble wise way, he told me that if after I've read it, and if liked it, then I can keep the book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although many of Peires' conclusions are now contested by revisionist historians, the work is still a seminal piece of work on the 'Xhosa Cattle Killings'

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of Peires' conclusions have been challenged in the more recent scholarship, but this is still a seminal work, and for good reason. It is very readable. And if I didn't already hate George Grey before reading, I would afterwards.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peires' work details two great tragedies, how most of the Xhosa killed their cattle and how the colonial authorities, for the most part, used the destitution of the Xhosa to increase colonial power while disregarding many Xhosa lives.
I'm glad that I read this book, but it is sad.

[Ron Me]

A sad history. Saying that the British were better than the Belgians isn't much of a recommendation.

[Poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

heartbreaking and infuriating that leaves me wondering

[Mordecai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise and well researched history on a fascinating topic. Also, remarkably sensitive balance between religious history and military/political history. Peires takes a clear eyed look at the Cattle Killing Movement's disastrous effects on the Xhosa's hopes of self-determination, but never sneers at the religious feelings that motivated it.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book for understanding colonialism in South Africa, not only as conquest, but also as a conflict of cosmologies.