The Zulu Kingdom in South Africa was known for military innovations that mostly happened during the reign of Shaka. The assegai, the age-grade regimental system and encirclement tactics helped to make Zulu powerful. “The assegai is a throwing spear and is a narrow, lead shaped blade and long, slender tapering shaft” (Assegai).  “The age grade groupings used by the Zulu were guarding the camp, to cattle herding, to certain rituals and ceremonies” (Zulu Kingdom).

In the Heart of Darkness novel, when Marlow visits Brussels for his appointment, the city is described as a “whited sepulcher.” This is a biblical phrase that refers to a hypocrite or someone who acts nicer to hide their malignancy. This is where the company was in the novel. The company could also be described as a whited sepulcher due to the company wanting to civilize and bring life to the land but instead clearing and exporting all the necessities from the people of the land.