Nada the Lily

Nada the Lily is an historical novel by English writer H. Rider Haggard, first published in 1892, and part of the Allan Quatermain series. Set in South Africa, the book's characters are all black South Africans - an unusual thing for a Victorian era novel. It tells the story of Umslopogaas, the son of Chaka, the great Zulu king - recounting his origins, his early life, and his love for Nada the Lily, the most beautiful of the Zulu women. The story is narrated by Mopo, who is the father of Nada, and witch doctor to Chaka.

There are parts of the story that are based on or around actual historical events such as the Weenen Massacre, the Battle of Italeni, and, the Battle of Blood River, and the book also features real life Zulu kings, Shaka, and Dingane.