The Oscarberg, called by the

Zulus Zulu people (; zu, amaZulu) are a Nguni ethnic group native to Southern Africa. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 10–12 million people, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal ...

''Shiyane'' ("The Eyebrow"), is the name given by the Reverend Otto Witt to a large hill 350 yards to the southeast (and rear) of the two buildings which formed the

trading post A trading post, trading station, or trading house, also known as a factory, is an establishment or settlement where goods and services could be traded. Typically the location of the trading post would allow people from one geographic area to tr ...

at the

Battle of Rorke's Drift The Battle of Rorke's Drift (1879), also known as the Defence of Rorke's Drift, was an engagement in the Anglo-Zulu War. The successful British defence of the mission (station), mission station of Rorke's Drift, under the command of Lieutenants ...

(1879). The post was established by the British in 1845, was sold to the

Norwegian Missionary Society The Norwegian Missionary Society or the Norwegian Mission Society ( no, Det Norske Misjonsselskap, NMS) is the first and oldest missionary organization in Norway. It was started by a group of approximately 180 Stavanger residents in August 1842, ...

in 1878, and renamed by the Swedish missionary Witt "Oscarberg" (or sometimes "Oskarsberg") after the reigning

King Oscar II Oscar II (Oscar Fredrik; 21 January 1829 – 8 December 1907) was King of Sweden from 1872 until his death in 1907 and King of Norway from 1872 to 1905. Oscar was the son of King Oscar I and Queen Josephine. He inherited the Swedish and Norweg ...

of the

United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway United may refer to: Places * United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community * United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Arts and entertainment Films * ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film * ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two fi ...

. The location and elevation of the hill did not enable the untrained Zulu to take full advantage to inflict British casualties at Rorke's Drift.Knight, Ian, ''Rorke's Drift 1879, "Pinned Like Rats in a Hole"''; Osprey Campaign Series #41,

Osprey Publishing Osprey Publishing is a British, Oxford-based, publishing company specializing in military history. Predominantly an illustrated publisher, many of their books contain full-colour artwork plates, maps and photographs, and the company produces ov ...

1996,, p.33, 38, 39. The Oscarberg is the subject in the famous painting of the battle, ''The Defence of Rorke's Drift'' (1880), by Alphonse Marie de Neuville.

References

{{coord, 28, 21, 30, S, 30, 32, 50, E, region:ZA-ZN_type:mountain, display=title Hills of South Africa Landforms of KwaZulu-Natal