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Zulu

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Zulu Culture

Author: Graham Chennells

Publishing date: 29.07.2005 00:00

Zulu.The Zulu People, Zulu Nation. Zulu Culture,

Colourful Beaded Maiden

The Zulu are an African ethnic group of about 11 million people who live mainly in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The Zulu language derives originally from Bantu; more recently from the Nguni subgroup. The Zulu Kingdom played a major role in South African History during the 19th century. Under apartheid, Zulu people were classed as second-class citizens and discriminated against. Today, they are the most numerous ethnic group in the country, and have equal rights along with all other South Africans.

Total Zulu population: 10.6 million (2001 est. 1) Significant populations in: KwaZulu-Natal Province: 7.6 million,
Gauteng Province: 1.9 million, Mpumalanga Province: 0.8 million, Free State Province: 0.14 million (2001 est. 1)
Language: Zulu, many also speak English or Afrikaans. Religion: Christian, Animist Related ethnic groups: Bantu
Nguni Basotho Xhosa Swazi Matabele

Zulu History

Zulu Origins
The Zulu were a minor clan in what is today Northern KwaZulu-Natal, founded ca. 1709 by Zulu kaNtombhela. At that time, the area was occupied by many small Nguni tribes and clans.

Nkosi Mzimela's Village

Kingdom
Shaka Zulu was the illegitimate son of Senzangakona, chief of the Zulus. He was born ca 1787. He and his mother, Nandi, were exiled by Senzangakona, and found refuge with the Mthethwa. Shaka fought as a warrior under Dingiswayo, chief of the Mthethwa. When Senzangakona died, Dingiswayo helped Shaka claim his place as chief of the Zulus. The two fought together against common foes. After Dingiswayo was murdered by king Zwide of the Ndwandwe, the Mthethwa placed themselves under Shaka\'s rule, and took on the name Zulu.
Shaka built upon Dingiswayo\'s military reforms, and, using superior tactics, expanded the territory controlled by the Zulu to form the Zulu Kingdom. Some of the conflicts involved in this process fall under the Zulu Civil War. The Zulus at this point constituted a great nation between the Tugela River and the Pongola River. This process of expansion played a major role in the occurrence of the Mfecane - the catastrophic forced migration of many clans around Zululand.
Shaka was succeeded by Dingane, his half brother, who conspired to murder him.
Interaction with the Voortrekkers
Dingane suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Blood River on 16 December 1838, when he attacked a group of 470 Voortrekker settlers.

Boy with Pumpkin

Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought between the Zulus, under Cetshwayo and the British in 1879. The British ruled the colony of Natal, which bordered on the Zulu Kingdom at the time. Despite defeating the British at Isandlwana on January 22, the Zulus lost the war at the Battle of Ulundi on July 4.
Cetshwayo was forced to flee, and the British forcibly restructured the Zulu aristocracy.
Under apartheid, Zululand was declared a homeland, and a large proportion of the Zulu people forced to live there. Zulu people were classed as \"black\" in South Africa, and as such were heavily discriminated against.

Rural Zulu people
Rural Zulu people live in villages, often without electricity and running water, in houses constructed from a mixture of mud brick and more modern, but cheap, materials. The Zulu aristocracy still tends to play a major role in the leadership of rural Zulu people. Local amaKhosi (literally lords, though \"chiefs\" is a more common translation) tend to hold a certain amount of sway over the people in their area. Some rural Zulu people make a living selling basketry and beadwork to tourists and city dwellers. Some are also subsistence farmers, although a more prominent trend is for one member of a family to get a job in a nearby city, from the income of which they support the rest of the family.
Urban Zulu people
Poorer urban Zulu people live in Townships, which came about as a result of apartheid. However, a large number of Zulu people are now members of the middle class, living in suburban houses, and having fairly common middle class first world jobs. A number of Zulu people are prominent business men and women, and a number are parliamentarians.

Bright Beads

Zulu Music
The singing styles of the Zulu people and their Nguni heritage are worthy of special mention. As in much of Africa, music is highly considered, enabling the communication of emotions and situations which could not be made by talking. Zulu music incorporates rhythm, melody and harmony — the latter is usually dominant and known as \"isigubudu\" (which can be translated as converging horns on a beast, with tips touching the animal, a spiralling inward that reflects inner feelings).
Zulu music has also been carried worldwide, often by white musicians using Zulu backing singers, or performing songs by Zulu composers. Examples of the former are Paul Simon and South African Johnny Clegg. Examples of the latter are the song \"Wimoweh\" and several tunes on the first album by Bow Wow Wow. In the case of both Bow Wow Wow and to a lesser extent \"Wimoweh\", the original Zulu musicians went largely unidentified and uncompensated by the white musicians.
The internationally successful Zulu group Ladysmith Black, Mambazo are among the artists who have made Zulu musical traditions known throughout the world. After contributing to Paul Simon\'s Graceland album they have toured the world with numerous stars and received two Grammy Awards.
Zulu Language
Their language is isiZulu. Many Zulu people today speak English, Afrikaans, and other of South Africa\'s 11 official languages.
In the Zulu language, Zulu means \"heaven\" or \"sky\".

Happy boys in Zululand

Zulu. Zulu Culture
Zulu Culture

This is all about Zulu culture, traditions, food, beads, ancestors, beer, dancing, dress, social structure, beliefs, sangomas, Inyangas, healing and many other topics associated with Zulu Culture. We take you into rural Zululand to meet people living their normal lives and holding onto there culture.The traditional structures are still in place but are slowly being eroded as economic development takes place.

Zulu Tribe
This is about the history, economy, political system, religion and culture of the Zulu tribe.

Zulu Villages
This is a snapshot of various Zulu villages and some of the happenings in the Zulu country. We take you into rural Zululand to see life as it is in the many villages that dot the countryside.

Zulu.Zulu Kings Reed Dance
Zulu Kings Reed Dance
This is about a very colourful and vibrant ceremony that takes place, once a year, in early September at the Zulu Kings Inyokeni Palace, in Zululand. This is one of the opportunities the King has of talking to his subjects and setting his agenda on the future of the young people in his realm.

Sangoma Trainees

Zulu.Shaka Zulu Celebrations.
Shaka Zulu Celebrations
This is about a ceremony that takes place every year, in late September, when the Zulu King and everyone that is of any importance in the Zulu nation meets.Visitors from all over Zululand meet at Dukusa to hear the King and various other dignatories speak about the past and future of the nation. There is also a lot of dancing and singing lead by the royal family.

Zulu.Zulu Wars / Battles
Zulu Wars Battles
Various Zulu battles & wars are described and written about.These wars date from the early 1800\'s to the invasion of Zululand by the British in 1879. Shaka\'s early battles with Zwide, Cetswayo\'s war and massacre against his brothers during his fathers reign.The first battle of Nondakusuka. The invasion of Zululand by the british and many more.

Zulu.Shaka Zulu. King
Shaka Zulu
King Shaka was the King that launched the Zulu\'s into the spotlight as \"The\" tribe of Africa.His rise to power and methods used in his ascendency are described.One of the worlds great leaders of men.

Zulu.Zulu Traditional Ceremonies
Zulu Traditional Ceremonies
Zulu ceremonies are varied and still take place on a regular basis in Zululand. Most ceremonies are performed on a hill overlookuing the wonderful Zululand landscape. Coming of Age ceremoies, Zulu weddings & Sangomas initiations.

Older Maiden

Sangoma & Ceremonies
Sangoma Ceremonies
These Zulu ceremonies take place in Zululand, mainly over weekends. On wednesday and Sunday you can witness the kwa Makethleni healing ceremonies just out of Eshowe. People drive from all over the country and some walk for 20 kms to attend this very vibrant and meaningful ceremony.
Zulu.Walters Traditional Zulu Village
Walters Traditional Zulu Village
Spend a day in rural Zululand on a personal adventure and meet the rural Zulu people of Zululand. See transformation and discuss the issues of the day.eet families and make friends. Visit schools, churches and see upliftment programs in rural Zululand. Just take a step back and see the wonderful side of rural life amongst the Zulu\'s.

Royalty at Nyokeni

Zulu.Walters Traditional Zulu Village. Overnight
Overnight in Walters Village
Overnight in a Zulu Kraal to see the life in rural Zululand first hand. Meet families and make friends. Visit schools, churches and see upliftment programs in rural Zululand. Just take a step back and see the wonderful side of rural life amongst the Zulu\'s.
Zululand Outback Tour
Zululand Outback Tour
Visit the Zululand Outback to places in Zululand that not many people see.Zulu Rural life. Farmers, sangomas, mission stations, crafts being made, vegetable growing projects and other upliftment projects. Of course some of the most beautiful scenery you are likely to see.

Zulu.Valley of the Zulu Kings.
Valley of the Zulu Kings.
Since the boy Zulu was born on the slopes of the Mandawe hill the Zulu family/tribe lived in the Valley of the Zulu Kings. This is where the Zulu tribe hibernated until the birth of Shaka. Hear the stories of the Zulu Kings and the formative years of Shaka before he moved to kwa Bulawayo near Eshowe.

Shembe man at mass Wedding

Zululand Weekend Package
Zululand Weekend Package /
This is a three day tour designed to give you a full Zulu Cultural experience with some other options, including game viewing in the Umfolozi/ Hluhluwe big Game Parks. Traditional ceremonies, township & rural villlage tours. Upliftment projects in the townships and rural areas.

King Dinizulu Township Tour
King Dinizulu Township Tour /
This is a great tour to visit the Zulu townships to experience town life and also to hear the history of the Zulu people. Catch a mini taxi. You also get a chance to see the New South Africa and many upliftment projects taking place. Schools, Skills Centre, Creche, housing project, Aids foster home, urban crafts and general township life.Visit a shebeen.

Zulu. Mbongolwane Wetlands, Zulu Villages & Crafts
Mbongolwane Wetlands, Zulu Villages and Crafts
Zulu Rural life.Here is a community that is going places. Everyone is on a mission to develop and improve themselves. This energy is awesome. Crafts. Sangomas. Mission stations. Tugela Valley.Schools and care centres. Creches and other upliftment projects. Rural agriculture projects in the Wetlands. Famous Wetlands project. Here scientists can learn from humble and committed people on how to preseve a wetland.

Vusi at work

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

035 4744919..

Your Guides:
Graham Chennells. Walter Cele

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