The uMgungundlovu was formerly known as Dingane's Kraal and royal Capital. He took power, after assassinating Shaka, his half-brother. Its name is derived from the Zulu phrase "ungungu we ndlovu", which means: 'the secret conclave of the elephant'. Dingane's Kraal was more or less oval in shape and it consisted of some 1700 huts that could house up to 7 000 residents! Standing six to eight deep, the huts formed a huge circle around an open arena, known as the large cattle kraal. A space also used for military parades and gatherings.