PRONUNCIATION: ZOO-loo
LOCATION: KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa
POPULATION: 9.2 million
LANGUAGE: IsiZulu; Zulu; English
RELIGION: Mixture of traditional beliefs and Christianity
For many people, the Zulu are the best-known African people. Their military exploits led to the rise of a great kingdom that was feared for a long time over much of the African continent. The Zulu are the descendants of Nguni-speaking people. Their written history can be traced back to the fourteenth century.
In the early nineteenth century a young Zulu prince, Shaka, came onto the scene and welded most of the Nguni tribes into the powerful Zulu Kingdom. Shaka ruled from 1816 to 1828, when he was assassinated by his brothers. During his reign, Shaka recruited young men from all over the kingdom and trained them in his own novel warrior tactics. After defeating competing armies and assimilating their people, Shaka established his Zulu nation. Within twelve years, he had forged one of the mightiest empires the African continent has ever known.
However, during the late 1800s, British troops invaded Zulu territory and divided the Zulu land into thirteen chiefdoms. The Zulu never regained their independence. Throughout the mid-1900s they were dominated by different white governments, first the British and later on, the Afrikaner. The Zulu have endeavored to regain a measure of political autonomy, both before South Africa's first democratic election in 1994 and in the subsequent period to the present. They have been unsuccessful, however, with both governments.
The 9 million Zulu-speaking people live mainly in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Some are also scattered throughout the other provinces. KwaZulu-Natal borders on Mozambique in the north, Eastern Cape in the south, the Indian Ocean in the east, and Lesotho in the west. The capital city is Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal is semi-fertile with a flat coastal plain, highlands to the west, and numerous rivers and streams. The subtropical climate brings lots of sunshine and brief, intense rain showers.
While many Zulu still live in traditionally structured rural communities, others have migrated to urban areas. However, links between urban and rural residents remain strong. A mixture of traditional and Western ways of life is clearly evident in the lives of almost all Zulu people.
The dominant language in South Africa is isiZulu. In KwaZulu-Natal, the most frequently spoken languages are Zulu and English. Zulu is idiomatic and proverbial and is characterized by many clicks. The Zulu language is characterized by hlonipha (respect) terms. Addressing those who are older than oneself, especially elderly and senior people, by their first names is viewed as lack of respect. Therefore terms like baba (father) and mama (mother) are used not only to address one's parents but also other senior males and females of the community.
Among the Zulu, the belief in ancestral spirits ( amadlozi or abaphansi ) has always been strong. These are the spirits of the dead. The Zulus recognize the existence of a supreme being. UMvelinqangi (One Who Came First) or uNkulunkulu (Very Big One) is God because he appeared first. This supreme being is far removed from the lives of the people and has never been seen by anyone. No ceremonies are, therefore, ever performed for uMvelinqangi. Zulu people believe that the spirits of the dead mediate between uMvelinqangi and the people on earth.
Zulus believe in a long life that continues after death. Getting old is seen as a blessing. This is based on the myth that long ago people did not die but rather lived for years. The Creator did not think that people should die. He, therefore, called a chameleon and said, "Chameleon, I am sending you to the people. Go and tell them that they are not to die." Although the chameleon was very slow, the Creator did not mind. He waited for the reply. However, after walking a long distance, the chameleon saw wild berries and decided to stop and eat them. It told itself that the Creator would not see it. Unfortunately, the Creator saw it and became very angry. He called a lizard, which came swiftly. The Creator told the lizard to go and tell the people that they are to die. The lizard sped off, passed the chameleon on the way, and delivered the message to the people. After a long time, the chameleon appeared, breathing heavily, and delivered its message. The people were very angry and said to it, "Why did you waste time? We have already received the lizard's message!" Thus, growing old among the Zulu is seen as a special privilege from the Creator. Elderly people are believed to be sacred, and are thus are always respected.
Ancestral spirits are important in Zulu religious life. Offerings and sacrifices are made to the ancestors for protection, good health, and happiness. Ancestral spirits come back to the world in the form of dreams, illnesses, and sometimes snakes. The Zulu also believe in the use of magic. Anything beyond their understanding, such as bad luck and illness, is considered to be sent by an angry spirit. When this happens, the help of a diviner (soothsayer) or herbalist is sought. He or she will communicate with the ancestors or use natural herbs and prayers to get rid of the problem.
Many Zulu converted to Christianity under colonialism. Although there are many Christian converts, ancestral beliefs have far from disappeared. Instead, there has been a mixture of traditional beliefs and Christianity. This kind of religion is particularly common among urbanites. There are also fervent Christians who view ancestral belief as outdated and sinful.
The Zulu recognize the national holidays of the Republic of South Africa. In addition, they celebrate Shaka's Day every year in September. This holiday is marked by celebrations and slaughtering cattle to commemorate the founder of the Zulu Kingdom. On this important day, Zulu people wear their full traditional attire (clothing and weapons) and gather at Shaka's tombstone, kwaDukuza in Stanger. This is a very colorful day attended by both national and international dignitaries who represent their governments. Izimbongi (praise-poets) sing the praises of all the Zulu kings, from Shaka to the present king, Zwelithini.
Among the Zulu, birth, puberty, marriage, and death are all celebrated and marked by the slaughter of sacrificial animals to ancestors. Birth and puberty are particularly celebrated. To Zulu traditionalists, childlessness and giving birth to girls only are the greatest of all misfortunes. No marriage is permanent until a child, especially a boy, is born.
The puberty ceremony (umemulo) is a transition to full adulthood. Nowadays it is performed only for girls. It involves separation from other people for a period to mark the changing status from youth to adulthood. This is followed by "reincorporation," characterized by ritual killing of animals, dancing, and feasting. After the ceremony, the girl is declared ready for marriage. The courting days then begin. The girl may take the first step by sending a "love letter" to a young man who appeals to her. Zulu love letters are made of beads. Different colors have different meanings, and certain combinations carry particular messages.
Dating occurs when a young man visits or writes a letter to a woman telling her how much he loves her. Once a woman decides that she loves this man, she can tell him so. It is only after they have both agreed that they love each other that they may be seen together in public. Parents should become aware of the relationship only when the man informs them that he wants to marry their daughter.
In contrast to their known warriorism, the Zulu are very warm and amicable people at a personal level. Ubuntu (literally, "humanness," "good moral nature," "good disposition") shapes the everyday life of the Zulu people. This comes from a notion that a human being is the highest of all species. There are hundreds of proverbs written about ubuntu. These proverbs relate to the treatment of people, good and bad behavior, pride, ingratitude, bad manners, moral degeneracy, conceit, cruelty, obstinacy, pretense, helping others, and so forth.
Sawubona is usually enough of a greeting for strangers, but a formal greeting is more appropriate for those who are familiar. The formal greeting includes a three-times handshake, while asking about the well-being of the person and his or her relations (Ninjani?) . Taking leave involves the standard Sala/Nisale kahle (Remain well), and the other person responds by saying, Uhambe/Nihambe kahle (Go well). It is customary for juniors and the young to initiate the greetings when they meet their seniors and their elders.
In South Africa, living conditions cannot be divorced from local politics. Conditions for the Zulu are similar to those of other black people. Zulu in most of the rural areas do not have adequate basic services such as electricity, clean water, formal housing, transport, hospitals, or clinics. Urban Zulu live in the so-called black townships and the areas fringing industrial cities. Their living conditions are, at least, better than those in rural areas. They constitute the Zulu middle class; their lifestyle is usually no different from that of other Western urbanites. Since the education available in rural black schools is inferior, the people in these areas are not equipped to migrate and seek a better life in the urban areas. If they migrate, most end up in the poor areas fringing cities.
In the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, a typical Zulu homestead will be circular and fenced, with a thatched-roof house.
The Zulu term for "family" (umndeni) includes all the people staying in a homestead who are related to each other, either by blood, marriage, or adoption. Most rural households comprise extended families, brothers with their wives, unmarried sisters, children, parents, and grandparents all staying together in the same homestead. As a sign of respect, parents and elders are not called by their first names; instead, kinship names (surnames) are used.
The Zulu family is patriarchal; a man is both the head of the family and the figure of authority. It is not unusual for young men to have as many girlfriends as they wish. If they can afford it, they can take more than one wife when they decide to get married. Traditionally, women were not supposed to go out and work, since they were a man's responsibility. Nowadays the status of Zulu women is slowly improving with more women receiving an education.
Marriage is exogamous; marriage to any person belonging to one's father's, mother's, father's mother's, and mother's mother's clan is prohibited. If it happens, the ukudabula (literally, "cutting of the blood relationship") ritual is performed.
Today, the everyday clothing of a Zulu is no different from that of any modern urbanite. Traditional clothing, however, is very colorful. Men, women, and children wear beads as accessories. Men wear amabheshu , made of goat or cattle skin, which looks like a waist apron, worn at the back. They decorate their heads with feathers and fur. Men also wear frilly goatskin bands on their arms and legs. Women wear isidwaba , a traditional Zulu black skirt made of goat or cattle skin. If a woman is not married, she may wear only strings of beads to cover the top part of the body. If she is married, she will wear a T-shirt. Zulu only wear their traditional clothes on special occasions, such as Shaka's Day and cultural gatherings.
The rural Zulu economy is based on cattle and agriculture. Consequently, the main staple diet consists of cow and agricultural products. This includes barbecued and boiled meat; amasi (curdled milk), mixed with dry, ground corn or dry, cooked mealie-meal (corn flour); amadumbe (yams); vegetables; and fruits. The Zulu traditional beer is not only a staple food but a considerable source of nutrition. It is also socially and ritually important and is drunk on all significant occasions.
Drinking and eating from the same plate was and still is a sign of friendship. It is customary for children to eat from the same dish, usually a big basin. This derives from a "share what you have" belief which is part of ubuntu (humane) philosophy.
Illiteracy (inability to read and write) is high among most black South Africans. However, education is slowly improving with the new government. Before, children went to school only if their parents could afford to send them. Schooling started at seven years of age and continued until about twenty-four years of age. Since education was not compulsory, pupils could take their time to finish matric (high school). Passing matriculation (graduating) was and still is regarded as a high achievement by the whole community. After matriculation, those parents who can afford it usually send their children to college.
Education and raising a child is like a cycle among the Zulu. Parents spend all they have to raise and educate their children. In turn, the children take care of their parents and their own children when they start working. A person who breaks this cycle is viewed as a community outcast, one who has forgotten about his or her roots.
The Zulu are fond of singing as well as dancing. These activities promote unity at all the transitional ceremonies such as births, weddings, and funerals. All the dances are accompanied by drums. The men dress as warriors, wave their clubs, and thrust their cowhide shields forward.
Zulu folklore is transmitted through storytelling, praise-poems, and proverbs. These explain Zulu history and teach moral lessons. Praise-poems (poems recited about the kings and the high achievers in life) are becoming part of popular culture.
In the past, only able-bodied men were supposed to work. Before the 1970s, especially in rural areas, being able to send a written letter and get a reply meant that a young boy was ready to go and look for work. Now Zulus want to complete their high school education. In the mind of the Zulu, work should benefit either one's parents or children and siblings. The first salary (or the bigger portion), therefore, is usually given to parents in return for blessings.
Soccer is very popular for both young boys and men. Children learn the game by watching their older brothers play. Whenever boys are together and not engaged in some household or school activity, they play soccer. Young boys, especially those who live next to big rivers, also compete in swimming. Girls, if they are not at school, are expected to assist their mothers in the house. However, they can play games once they have finished their chores. One popular game played by girls, especially in rural KwaZulu, is masishayana/maphakathi. Two girls stand opposite each other, usually not more than 165 feet (50 meters) apart. Another girl stands between them, facing the one who is holding a tennis ball. The idea of this game is to try to hit the girl standing in the middle while she tries to avoid being hit. If the ball hits her or touches her clothes, she is out. Being able to avoid being hit ten times earns the girl a point. Having the most points means winning a game and becoming the best player in your circle of friends. One sport which is participated in by both girls and boys is track and field, an organized school sport.
Ritual ceremonies also serve as part of the entertainment and recreation for the whole community. Zulu custom does not mandate formal invitations to gatherings where food will be served, such as weddings and birthday parties. The Zulu believe that food should be shared. Therefore, uninvited arrival at a celebration is an honor to the host. These celebrations include singing and dancing.
Television is very popular among urban Zulu households. Owning a television set is a luxury for rural Zulu since very few rural areas have electricity. Those who can afford to go to the movies do so. For urban teenagers, American youth culture, especially clothing and music, is very popular. Among adults, stokvels (voluntary or common-interest associations) provide financial assistance, friendship, and recreation.
The Zulu, especially those from rural areas, are known for their weaving, craftmaking, pottery, and beadwork. Women and children weave everyday-use mats, beer sieves, and baskets for domestic purposes. They also make calabashes (decorated gourds used as utensils). Men and boys carve various household objects and ornaments from wood and bone. These include headrests, trays, scrapers, household utensils, and chairs. Beadmaking is mainly women's work because beads are believed to be a way of sending messages without being direct.
The Zulu terms ubuntu and hlonipha summarize everything about human rights. However, it is evident that some individuals in Zulu society, particularly women and children, enjoy fewer human rights than others.
Haskins, J., et al. From Afar to Zulu. New York: Walker and Company, 1995.
Khuzwayo, W. "Kinship Substitutions." Paper presented at the PAAA Conference in Cameroon, West Africa, 1994.
Macnamara, M. World Views. Pretoria: J. L. van Schaik Pty, 1980.
West, M. Abantu. Cape Town: C. Struik Publishers, 1976.
D. W. Web Design. Zulu Anthropology. [Online] Available http://www.africasafari.co.za/traditional.htm , 1998.
Embassy of South Africa, Washington, D.C. [Online] Available http://www.southafrica.net/ , 1998.
Government of South Africa. [Online] http://www.polity.org.za/gnu.html , 1998.
Interknowledge Corp. South Africa. [Online] Available http://www.geographia.com/south-africa/ , 1998.
Southern African Development Community. South Africa. [Online] Available http://www.sadcusa.net/members/safrica/ , 1998.
My wife know four languages.
I am
Hubie Sookram
im only in seventh grade hahah.
Thanks!!!!!
~* Kr1$+1N and R3B3((a*~
loads of my familylive in Zimbabwe and its kinda cool to know all this stuff
...xxx
MMFWCL,
Nate Narcotic (the cursed poets
Thanks for helping me with my zulu project
pls could you do a history website too
I have a question that I cannot find an answer to. I have a vague memory of Zulus working on a farm and a child died, and all I remember was alot of chanting/crying singing at the time of death. Is this true?
It was SO LONG ago, I cannot remember if it was real or imagined, I was very young at the time. But I do think it is traditional. I do remember the woman dressing in Blue with White Crosses on their chest too. I know they dressed like this for a certain dureation, but I cannot remember the details. Very frustrating, the dress code could have been more Church based than traditional Zulu grieving I think. But mostly I just want to know about the griving over a death please.
Any information on this would be Greatly appreciated. Thank you
peace M.H.
Yes - Zulu women will always wear blue dresses with almost like a white apron over it, and a cross, when they worship on a Sunday - not just when there has been a death in the family. It is the uniform of the particular Christian order that they mostly belong to. Zulus are MOSTLY Christians - they are a very God-fearing nation. The urban men do not attend church as much as the urban women.
Very recent research is now showing, that owing to the affirmative action policies brought in since 1994, more Zulu women are now in employment than Zulu men, which has put them in a strong financial position, and is slowly starting to change the inferior way in which these women have been treated for centuries. They are AMAZING people, and I have the utmost respect for them.
I would very much like to be the winner in this contest to name the cubs since the winner will get to have a behind the scenes visit with the zookeeper and the cubs. I have a beloved photograph of my father that was taken in 1973 in Africa. It shows him holding a Lion cub. My Dad died in 1990 at age 85, and I would love to frame a picture of myself holding a cub alongside of his photo.
I must submit my entry by Mar. 15th. Anything you could do to help me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bobbin
cali dyche
When I was in Nigeria there is a tribe that called a bird INYONI in their native language, in which INYONI is also a Zulu word meaning a bird.
I would like to add more valuable knowledge about this great nation. According to AmaZulu: the name itself means -Heaven-( iZulu) we got Zulu Language- then is Zulu as a Surname the province is kwazulu natal and the soghum beer is called isizulu.
Right someone ask above about food we got( izinkobe) mealies with beans-(imfino) the herbs(isigwaqane or isithwalaphishi) beans with maize meal (isinkwa sombila) pure mealies bread no flour added (meats all kind from birds to cows ) those are well known ones although moslty plenty dishes.
Soghum beer (isizulu) used to be made of wheat now we buy imithombo from shops they still have wheat but with all added stuff in it to make the (utshwala) beer to be ready quick.
One question about the funeral above: the truth now those ppl you saw singing and crying mostly the close family will be morning crying and others will be singing I know it will be confusing for ppl who are from different backround that why is great to learn other ppl beliefs and norms: to be exact now the ladies that were wearing those dresses are under zion church with crosses at their back they were doing (isikhalanga) moving around the coffin it actualy not dancing it shows respect to the dead and asking the creater to receive the dead soul.
The house is called (iqhugwane) no wall only sticks and grass all over the newer ones are called (u-round ) rondevel this ones are made of wall (amasoyi) and timber plus grass roof amasoyi is the natural soil block u se a spade to dig it from hard surface today you can make your rondavel with blocks and iron roof or Tiles
Few lessons
Sawubona: means Hello to one person
Sanibona :to two or many
Unjani :how are u
Ninjani :hw re u all(two to many ppl)
All Zulu names got meanings I believe all African names got meaning you can not give a child name without knowing the meaning of a name the famous names are Siphiwe- ( we are Gifted a child by God) Thandeka (Lovable) Lindiwe (waiting for) Sinikiwe(Gifted by God) Bongumusa (thanking God grace) Xolani (Make peace) Zinhle (Beatiful) Smangele( we are surprise) Zanele) we have enough girls funny isn't mostly one family will give this name once they the have plenty daughters some will give if they are saying we have enough daughters now we are asking for a son now intersting ne to be honest to AmaZulu to have a son is the priority even Married women if they don't have a son. They always fill inferior to others although it changing now but still a son is a must to the Zulus
I hope I added good and fruitful info to this article Ngiyabonga nisale kahle
Most Zulus on farms still sleep on the floor on a straw floor mat, if they can afford it they stack up a bed on bricks to elevate it and keep it out of reach of the tokoloshe (Zulu demon who is basically a very short troll who brings misfortune). Many rural Zulus remain dreadfully afraid of the Tokoloshe today. Beliefs remain strong despite western influence, including common use of Sangomas (witch doctors) some of which have horrific supposed cures to a broad spectrum of ailments (from AIDS to toothaches). It's half helpful half totally harmful. In my memory of the farm, a local witch doctor prescribed drinking a mix of sorghum beer and bleach to cure insomnia... and many have died to procure body parts used for "curing" ailments, including children. There are dark practices here. That said, Zulus are among the warmest people on earth. Generous and kind, who truly live the spirit of Ubuntu and community. They welcome strangers and default to treating others with respect. At the same time, one who treats others with disrespect is not tolerated and the Zulu form of disapproval is direct and confrontational. They are an action-oriented people, taking pride in working hard and fighting hard, and are generally considered among the most fearless and brave of the warriors on the African continent. Shaka is rumored to have created the short stabbing spear and the large cowhide shields, as well as the "horns of the bull" military strategy that conquered multiple tribes in what was previously a fairly non-violent approach to war (throwing of longer spears while remaining largely stationary in two distanced groups). Zulus today remain proud and noble and consider themselves children of heaven, and a more noble tribe than those surrounding them - similar to I think how Hebrews of the twelve families of Israel view themselves. In this world view, Zulus view Ubuntu as pertaining to other Zulus primarily, and other tribes less. South Africa has an amazing history of many proud tribes, including Xhosa and Ndebele, Afrikaners and Khoi-San, that is worth reading about. Good luck with the report!