Of all the sub-Saharan Bantu people, the Zulus are the most well known. They arose in the late 18th century from the hundreds of small clans occupying the northern regions of kwa Zulu-Natal on the eastern seaboard of South Africa. There was always a struggle between the clans for grazing rights and conflict was commonplace but took the form of shouted insults and some assegai throwing.

Bringing up the ChildrenIt is the duty of the wife to bring the children up and children are taught from an early age to respect elders and never speak unless spoken to. There is a complete lack of familiarity between father and son. The wives are subservient to the husbands, bringing them their food before retiring to their own quarters. The husband will eat his fill and leave the rest for the remainder of his family.

The MenThe man of the house deals with visitors,attends public meetings, makes all thedecisions, owns the hut and its contents intheir entirety and is solely charged withentering into any agreement. As the boysget older, they are also introduced to theadult responsibilities. The husband mayalso carve wooden spoons and otherutensils. The wives are in all respectsinferior to the husbands. They areexpected to look after all the children,tend the fields, carry the water, make potsand brew the beer. Often, the husband willpay greater attention to his herd than tohis wives

The GirlsGirls are slowly introduced to the family chores by first learning how to carry water using a small gourd. She learns to carry the gourd on her head by means of braided supports that her mother applies to her head. In the field, she is taught how to plant and reap the crops and is given her own hoe when she is eleven. By this age, she is capable of making a fire, preparing some simple dishes and looking after her younger brethren.

The BoysBoys are given a pet name when they are born, another name from his father when he is seven, another nickname from his herd-boy friends and finally another name should he enter one of the amabutho. Naming protocols are similar for girls except that they may add a variety of Christian names. One also finds a variety of strange names that are related to an event close to the birth of the child - Lightning or Unfortunate are some names that may be used.

FOOD Amazi

Although all other food is shared, amazi

considered a delicacy and may only beconsumed by family members. It islargely milk, allowed to curdle in a gourdor basket, the whey being removedthrough a hole in the base, when it isrefilled with fresh milk. Afterconsumption, the vessel is immediatelyrefilled and is never cleaned.

BeerBrewing of beer is the duty of thewomen. Coarse sorghum and maize issteeped in water for a day. On the secondday, it is boiled and dry sorghum addedand the mash allowed to cool. On thethird day the brew is filtered through asieve and served and consumed on thesame day. It has an alcohol content of3%, is refreshing and nutritious. Thebrewery is distinctive amongst the hutsof the kraal in that it is only semithatched, allowed the smoke from thefire to escape and ensuring a goodsupply of oxygen to the mash.

FoodThe Zulu culinary repertoireencompasses some forty dishes, mostlyvegetarian (although the Zulus lovemeat). Maize, tubers and pumpkin aremostly eaten in different forms.Tomatoes, cabbage and onions arepopular when available. Eating ishygienic, each member using his ownplate and utensils. Hands are washedbefore eating and mouths are washedafter.

CLOTHING MENSThe amaShoba are cow tails worn on theupper arms and below the knees to give theappearance of greater bulk to the body.IsiNene is the front apron, consisting of coinsized circular skin patches sewn closelytogether to add weight and cover the malegenitals. iBeshu is the rear apron made fromcalf skin (from stillborn or dead calves). Thoseof young men involved in active pursuits areknee length whilst those of the older men areankle length. The leopard is revered as theking of predators and only those of anelevated social position wear its skin. Aninduna may only wear a headband but theking may wear as much as he wishes.

WomensA single maiden will wear only a short grassskirt embellished perhaps with beads whilst anengaged girl will cover her breasts and allowher hair to grow.A married woman covers her entire body toindicate that she is taken and wears a thickcowhide skirt that has been treated withcharcoal and animal fat. Over this skirt may beanother of cloth in white, red or black. Overher breasts, the woman wears a coverdecorated with beads with a messageunderstood only by her husband.The most impressive adornment is the hatwhich is constructed with grass and cotton thatis sewn into the hair. These may measure asmuch as a meter across and last for a fewmonths, whereupon the procedure is repeated.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

A variety of materials are used toconstruct vessels - clay, grass andtelephone wire. However whereclay is scarce, baskets are madeusing the split leaves of the iLalapalm. Soaking the leaves in anatural colourant made fromdung or other natural pigmentscreates patterns. The patternsadvertise the maker of the basketand often incorporate traditionaldesigns. The vessels are sealedwith moist maize flour thatcauses the grass to swell.

ReligionAmong the Zulu, the belief in ancestralspirits. These are the spirits of the dead. The Zulus recognize the existence of a supreme being. This supreme being is far removed from the lives of the people and has never been seen by anyone. Zulu people believe that the spirits of the dead mediate between uMvelinqangi and the people on earth.

PROBLEMShuman rightsparticularly women and childrenenjoy fewer human rights than others

Solutions

The people should not interfere negatively in their tribe Children must go to school

Γεωργία ΤούσκαΈλενα ΣιάκαΜαρία ΤσακιράκηΠηνελόπη Τσιτιρίδου

http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Rwanda-to-Syria/Zulu.html

http://www.zulu-culture.co.za/zulu_clothing.php#.VnfgnfmLTcs

http://www.thanda.com/zulu-culture/music-myth.htm

http://thinkteen-2ndgrade-beginners-unit1.weebly.com/resources.html