# Umslopogaas — Allan Quatermain character guide > Umslopogaas in Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** V Umslopogaas, old Umslopogaas, the great Zulu, Zulu, the fierce old Zulu **First appearance:** 0005-ii-the-black-hand ## Snapshot A scarred Zulu warrior of legendary strength who wields the great axe Inkosi-Kaas and follows Quatermain with a loyalty fiercer than any oath. ## Who they are Old Umslopogaas is a warrior out of a vanished age, his body a map of wounds and his tongue quick with mockery even in the face of death. He calls his enemies 'women' and keeps his vows with a terrifying literalness — especially his oath to slay the priest Agon. In Zu-Vendis, his axe and his unshakeable presence become the last wall between the queens and the assassins who would destroy them. ## Relationships ### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis) _friendship_ Sir Henry Curtis and Umslopogaas are battle-hardened comrades, bound by mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Alphonse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/alphonse) _friendship_ Alphonse, the comic French cook, and Umslopogaas, the fierce Zulu warrior, form an unlikely but affectionate friendship. ### [The Masai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/the_masai) _rivalry_ The Masai warriors and Umslopogaas are hostile adversaries, representing different warring tribes. ### [Nasta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/nasta) _rivalry_ Nasta and Umslopogaas are fierce enemies, clashing in battle as leaders of opposing factions. ### [Nyleptha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/nyleptha) _friendship_ Nyleptha respects Umslopogaas as a formidable warrior and loyal protector of her English allies. ### [Macumazahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/macumazahn) _friendship_ Macumazahn (Allan Quatermain) and Umslopogaas are old friends and trusted companions from previous African adventures. ### [Macumazahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/macumazahn) _friendship_ Macumazahn (Allan Quatermain) and Umslopogaas are old friends and trusted companions from previous African adventures. ### [The Masai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/the_masai) _rivalry_ The Masai warriors and Umslopogaas are hostile adversaries, representing different warring tribes. ### [Nyleptha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/nyleptha) _friendship_ Nyleptha respects Umslopogaas as a formidable warrior and loyal protector of her English allies. ### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis) _friendship_ Sir Henry Curtis and Umslopogaas are battle-hardened comrades, bound by mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Alphonse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/alphonse) _friendship_ Alphonse, the comic French cook, and Umslopogaas, the fierce Zulu warrior, form an unlikely but affectionate friendship. ### [Macumazahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/macumazahn) _friendship_ Macumazahn (Allan Quatermain) and Umslopogaas are old friends and trusted companions from previous African adventures. ## In the story ### [The Consul's Yarn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/i-the-consul-s-yarn) A Zulu warrior and former chief who joins the expedition after fleeing Zululand following a betrayal by his wife, bringing only his battleaxe. ### [II: The Black Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/ii-the-black-hand) Travels in the second canoe with Quatermain; kills an eland with a borrowed rifle. ### [III: The Mission Station](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/iii-the-mission-station) Mentioned as disliking fish, typical of most Zulus. ### [IV: Alphonse and His Annette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/iv-alphonse-and-his-annette) Cleans the rifles on the veranda, names each gun and his battleaxe 'Inkosi-Kaas', and explains the axe's history and his fighting style. ### [V: Umslopogaas Makes a Promise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/v-umslopogaas-makes-a-promise) Devises a battle plan to rescue Flossie from the Masai, sharpens his axe Inkosi-Kaas, and promises to hew the Masai Lygonani limb from limb. ### [VI: The Night Wears On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/vi-the-night-wears-on) Advises on the plan, initially refuses chainmail but is convinced; sleeps soundly before the attack. ### [VII: A Slaughter Grim and Great](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/vii-a-slaughter-grim-and-great) Remains calm before battle, fights with his axe Inkosi-Kaas, and kills the Masai herald with a powerful stroke. ### [VIII: Alphonse Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/viii-alphonse-explains) Survives the battle, praised for his fighting; receives Sir Henry's iron shirt as a gift. ### [IX: Into the Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/ix-into-the-unknown) Shows distress at parting with Flossie, for whom he had a strong affection. ### [X: The Rose of Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/x-the-rose-of-fire) Remains conscious longer than most; calmly eats a chop during the crisis and dismisses the echoes as devils. ### [The Frowning City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xi-the-frowning-city) Amused by Good's transformation, comparing him to a blue jay spreading his tail. ### [XIV: The Flower Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xiv-the-flower-temple) Stands beside Quatermain at the temple; receives the warning to move back. ### [XV: Sorais’s Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xv-sorais-s-song) Refuses to learn Zu-Vendi or adopt native dress; threatens a teacher with his axe. ### [Before the Statue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvi-before-the-statue) Observes the lovers with amusement, commenting on their behavior. ### [XVII: The Storm Breaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xvii-the-storm-breaks) Tasked by Curtis to keep watch near Nyleptha's apartments during the night. ### [XVIII: War! Red War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xviii-war-red-war) Reports Sorais's assassination attempt, punishes Alphonse by thrusting him into a thorn bush, and kills the first soldier in the war. ### [XIX: A Strange Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xix-a-strange-wedding) Present at the wedding and later seen whetting his axe, a symbol of the impending violence. ### [XX: The Battle of the Pass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xx-the-battle-of-the-pass) Observes the army with grim delight, leaning on his axe, and speaks with Allan about the scale of the battle. ### [XXI: Away! Away!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxi-away-away) Rides alongside Quatermain, vowing to kill Agon, and helps secure the palace. ### [How Umslopogaas Held the Stair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/xxii-how-umslopogaas-held-the-stair) Dies heroically defending the stair; his body is entombed at the site and a statue is planned. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned in a note about his Zulu name 'Woodpecker' and his fighting style with Inkosi-Kaas. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters/umslopogaas - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/allan_quatermain_se/characters