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Zulu Villages

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Zulu Culture

Author: Graham Chennells

Publishing date: 18.08.2004 21:21

Pictures of a zulu village, zulu villages, life in Zululand

Huts at Amadidima

Zulu Villages, pictures and Zulu Cultural life contemporary Zululand.

Zulu Villages. What is commonly known as a Zulu village is actually a family setup of huts.So we have a number of zulu villages dotted about the countryside.Today their are more and more extended families living in a village.These pictures are taken near Eshowe, Zululand.
Walters Cele's Traditional Zulu Village Tours

Zulu Huts in Countryside

Traditional Zulu Villages.These are some of the typical Zulu villages seen on the slopes of the surrounding Eshowe hills. Set in a tranquill environment far from the madding crowd.
Roads and local transport a hours walk away.Let alone children walking to school everyday after collecting water from the steam in the morning.
Traditional Zulu Village Ceremonies

Tranquil Homestead setting

This is the home of Nkosi Mzimela a very prominent Zulu who lives on the border of the Ongoye Forest. This area is renowned for regular traditional ceremonies. He has 9 wives some of which are accommodated in this Kraal. Two of his wives he married in one day with a morning and afternoon wedding ceremony.

Red Earth - Zululand

These huts sit on the hills that overlook the mighty Tugela River.This is good cattle country but the terrain is rather steep and the women of the household have to walk a few miles to the Mbongolwane Wetlands to grow the crops to feed their families.Schooling and shopping are arduous excurions not to mention collecting water every day.

Green huts in Zululand

These colourful huts are also in the Tugela Valley but much closer to the road and public transport. The Mbongolwane Hospital and Police station are nearby. They have to travel over 45 kilometres to EShowe to do their shopping. This is very scenic country in the Zululand Outback.

Two beautiful Zulu Huts

These are two huts that have been built on a steep hill.Check out the beautiful thatched rooves. Thatch makes a wonderfully cool room for the very hot summers and keeps the heat in during winter.It almost feels like an airconditioned room in summer.

Building new House

Zulu Family Moving HomeThis family is building a new Zulu home in a few days. The family head works in the mines and when he gets back on the bus at night over weekends he still has to walk miles to his home.He has decided to get closer to the road from the deep valleys of the Tugela.It is also easier for children to go to school and his wife to go shopping.

Rural Brewpub

Rural Zulu Brew Pub in zulu villages. Mr Khumalo who produces the best snuff in Zululand (Thothotho) also brews beer at his home. He distributes the beer to his outlets in the Eshowe town and elsewhere.He uses traditional brewing methods us sorghum.His brewey is called Thothotho brewery. He is on the KZN Brew Route.
KZN Brew Route
Fermenting Revolution

The Rolling Hills of Zululand

This is some of the steep terrain on which Zulu's build thier huts. THe scenery os majestic and life very tranquil in this Zulu country. This scene is up against the Nkandla forest just out of Eshowe where some famous Zulu battles took place between King Shaka and Zwide the Qwabe leader.The Bambata Rebellion was qwelled in this Forest.

More pictures of activities in Zulu village.

Crafting from home

Wetlands and Crafts. This Gogo (granny) Mrs Mkize runs a craft group out at Mbongolwane which recently won a National upliftment award for creating jobs and showing considerable enterprise in rural Zululand.Close to the huge Mbonglowane Roman Catholic mission that was established in trhe early 1920's. Many old ladies are self employed at home creating crafts to pay the household bills.Piles of wetland leaves lie behind her waiting to be weaved into mats.
Mbongolwane Wetlands and Crafts

Making Bricks

Building Zulu houses in all forms and sizes.From complete thatch to various designs and material variances.These women are making bricks out of the soil to construct a new hut on the family property.One can construct huts, in zulu villages, without having to buy any materials - just using what is around you.When you build you invite all the neighbours around to assist you.You provide food and refreshments for all.

Rural Classroom

This is a Zulu Classroom under the trees in rural Zululand.We pass by and talk to the children who are almost blissfully unaware of the deprivation under which they study and trying to enter the 21st century. The good news is that there are programs under way to remove these shortcomings and provide an environment in which to progress. The Rotary initiated ECAG has built over 3000 classrooms since it's inception in 1977.
Our Zulu Projects

Vegetable Farmers

Vegetable growing. Zululand generally has very fertile soil and in many regions good rainfall.Always plenty of heat for growth.Where these ladies are in the Tugela Valley water needs to be pumped from the Tugela river not far off.Some Canadian benefactors have provided a water pump and pipes. They are growing the most amazing aray of vegetables for the family table.The excess they will barter with for other needs.The government is also assisting in making agriculture more accessable to younger people.

Zulu Trading Store

This is a typical Zulu Trading Store far from the cities and towns.In the olden days they were thriving little family run businesses. However as transport and roads have improved and the age of the superstores upon us it is also far cheaper to shop in town. They will now stock a limited range of necessities. The countryside is dotted with these establishments.

Michael the Sangoma

Michael the sangoma in his consulting room Sangomas are both healers and fortune tellers.You get the calling to be a sangoma and them you become a twase while you train with a mentor. Ones forefathers are a very important element in Zulu life. You need to be in constant communication to ensure harmony in your life. A sangoma helps you achieve this. He also becomes proficient in natural healing for ailments you might have.

Washing Clothes

A maiden washing clothes close to a stream in Zululand.The Zulu's are very particular about their cleanliness. Out in the rural areas where dust abounds you will see Zulu's immaculately dressed in very clean clothes. A very proud nation are the Zulu's

Rural Markets

Rural Market on pension payout day in Zululand.
Women over 60 and men over 65 get a regular monthly pension.Pension payouts occur in rural areas every month and are followed by sellers of clothes, food and all items imaginable.Very much a social occassion as well.

Nguni Herd

Nguni cattle herd at the Zulu Kings Kraal. The Zulu�s were part of the early Nguni migration. Their Nguni cattle were primarily draft animals and an integral part of their society. These colourful cattle were small, hardy, heat tolerant, disease resistant, had a low mortality rate, had good temperaments, were excellent foragers, lived long productive lives and had been shaped by natural selection in the African environment for thousands of years.

Mbongolwane Reed Gatherer

An old lady cuts and collects reeds for sale to provide cash for the families needs. She is fortunate to live near the Wetlands and has her allotted patch which no one dares touch. This p[articular women lives with her daughter and three children. The husband died and life is quite tough as all income must be derived from the wetlands and soil.

Rural Hotel

Zululand Eco-Adventures.
Eshowe. Zululand.
KwaZulu Natal. South Africa.
info@eshowe.com
035 4744919.

Your Guides:
Graham Chennells. Walter Cele. Victor Mdluli. Daryn Watkins

Some good Zulu sites

Nkosi's Wedding

Zulu Culture
Zulu Culture
King Dinzulu Township and Upliftment Tour.
King Dinzulu Township and Upliftment Tour
Zulu Traditional Ceremonies
Zulu Traditional Ceremonies
Walters Traditional Zulu Village
Walters Traditional Zulu Village
Walters Traditional Zulu Village - Overnight
Overnight in Walters Village

Nesta Nala at Home

Zululand Outback Tour
Zululand Outback Tour
Valley of the Zulu Kings.
Valley of the Zulu Kings.
Sangoma & Ceremonies
Sangoma and Ceremonies
Zululand Weekend Package
Zululand Weekend Package

Craft Group

Mbongolwane Wetlands, Zulu Villages and Crafts
Mbongolwane Wetlands and Crafts
Zulu Tribe
Zulu Tribe
King Dinizulu Township Tour
King Dinizulu Township Tour
Zulu Villages
Zulu Villages
Zulu Kings Reed Dance
Zulu Kings Reed Dance

Khekheke's Students

Shaka Zulu Celebrations.
Shaka Zulu Celebrations
Zulu Wars / Battles
Zulu Wars / Battles
Shaka Zulu. King
Shaka Zulu
Khekhekhe A Sangoma
Khekhekhe.A Sangoma

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