Zulu

Zulu

South Africa hosts a variety of different cultures, which is why it is often referred to as the rainbow nation. With 11 official languages there are even more ethnicities.Ethnic groups in South Africa include Afrikaans, European, Indian, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, Ndebele, Swati, Tsonga, and moreThe rainbow nation

What South Africa is known for I asked a variety of people from America to tell me what they knew about South Africa and this is what they knew:Apartheid Oscar PistoriousCasper LeeSports players Nelson Mandela

Cape town Game reserves

When I asked what they knew about Zulu they either had no idea what that was, or guessed it was some type of tribe which is why I made this presentation Through my stay in South Africa I stayed with white host families and went to a school with primarily white students. However I became interested in the Zulu culture through the domestic workers at my homes Eunice and Angel, Zulu language class at school, and the fact that the majority of the people in KwaZulu Natal are ZuluMy stayZulu Language Through lessons from my families helper, Eunice, friends at school, and the Zulu teacher I have learned a little bit of Zulu vocabulary such as how to greet people.

A typical greeting would go something like thisSawubona (used as hello and translates literally to I see you)Yebo (yes) Sawubona (I see you)Kunjani? (how are you?)Ngiyaphela wena kunjani (I am fine and you?)Ngiyaphela (I am fine)

Language continuedSome common wordsNgiabonga (thank you)Ngiakuthanda ( I love you)Kuyashisa (its hot) Yebo (yes)Cha (no) Ngikhathele (im tired)Ngilambile (im hungry)Ngiyagula (im sick)Ukudla (food)Zulu is a very difficult language to learn because the pronunciation unlike any I have heard before. Also there is no one word for it or I. Everything depends on the other words in the sentence and you just have to memorise these things.

Dance Ukusha means to dance and dancing is used a lot in Zulu culture. King Shaka used war dances to scare off the enemy Dancing is also used in weddings, funerals, festivals, ceremony's, coming of age parties, relationships and moreClassic moves used in Zulu dancing include-High kicking and stomping-shield/stick routines-Rhythmical clapping-Vigorous movements-Attack/retreat routines-Gyrating -And solo displays

A dance group I saw at uShaka in DurbanEunices neighbour children dancingDance video This is a video I took of a Zulu dance group at uShaka in Durban. I apologize for the poor quality of the video

MusicWhat is dance without some music?

Most music is gospel, because religion plays a key role in culture . Drums are used. Eunice, the worker at my house, recorded her own album of traditional Zulu music. She sang for me and had some children dance to her music for me

One classic Zulu craft is beadwork. Necklaces bracelets and other crafts use seeds, shells or bones, and clay beadsOther Zulu crafts are pottery, woven bowls and baskets, and moreCrafts

The colour of the beads symbolize a meaning. This was used before Zulu was a written language Young men used throw beads at girls, if the girls picked up these beads it meant they liked the boy. White meant purity love and truthBlack meant grief or marriageYellow meant wealthBlue meant faithfulnessGreen meant love sickness, jealousy, or happinessPink meant poverty

Beaded messages

Beadwork

Beads are worn as part of traditional clothing as well as a craft profession to sell to touristsTraditional ClothingToday most Zulu people wear modern clothing. However traditional dress, which is only worn on special occasions, includes lots of beads for both men and women as well as lots of colour

Women A short black skirt made from goat or cattle skin or a grass skirt Lots of beadsIf unmarried women wouldnt wear a shirt and would only wear beads on there top. However engaged women wear a t-shirt and married women cover their bodies A special hat for weddings

Men's clothing A waist apron made of goat or cattle skinFeathers or fur on the headGoat skin bands on arms and legsA headband worn by unmarried menAnimal skin is worn

Long ago the Zulu people used to be many unorganized tribes throughout the area who were descendants of the Nguni peopleIn the 1800s King Shaka organized these tribes into the powerful Zulu kingdom known for military He recruited young men and trained them to be warriors This was the official start of the Zulu nation which soon became one of the mightiest empires in Africa

The History of ZuluShaka was an illegitimate son of Senzangakhona kajamo and Nandi He has is own brother Singujana killed so he could be king As he gained power he wanted to conquer more tribesHe was a military genius and the most prominent Zulu kingHe let Europeans into Zulu land occasionally, which eventually led to the unwanted colonization. The Zulu people of this time has a warrior mind set. Skaka was assassinated by his brothers. King Shaka was a ruthless leader.

ShakaYoung men were recruited by Shaka They were trained to be great warriorsDefeated armies assimilating peopleShaka was very harsh he made his men run on torn barefoot over thorns and hot coal. If they were unable to do this he would kill them or if he knew they could do it he would cut of a hand or finger so they knew they had to.

Zulu Warriors

Bull horn method

This method of fighting trapped the enemy and was a great war strategy.Step 1: the Chest people, or main force, would close in on the enemy pinning them into position.Step 2: the Horns people would close in on the left and right side of the enemy trapping them. Step 3: the Loins people would stand behind the chest people with their backs to the battle waiting to step in if the enemy broke free from the encirclement.

21Anglo-Zulu warThe British empire wanted to control South Africa and its tribes thus resulting in the war There were many battles resulting in British victory ending the independence of the Zulu nation

On January, 22, 1879 The battle of Isandlwana was one Zulu victoryThe Zulu people won even though they were disadvantaged Both armies suffered terrible lossesThe British were defeated by the Zulus who were technologically inferior to the British This showed the Zulu people to be a fierce military opponent IsandlwanaI was able to see a few of the battle grounds while in South Africa Many Zulu people believe in the spirits of their ancestors being a part of there lives. Ancestors in the afterlife guide and protect the livingOfferings and sacrifices are offered to these ancestors to bring people protection, health, and happinessMost people have been converted to Christianity However many people still practice a mix of Christian and ancestral beliefsSometimes ancestral belief is known as ngoma or amadloziHuts where ancestors reside are called ndumba, which are used by traditional healers.

Ancestral beliefA Sangoma is a traditional healer in South Africa, used by not only Zulus but other African cultures as well. Men and women can both be Sangomas The ancestors instruct the Sangomas in how to healThese healers heal physical, emotional, and spiritual illness. These healers are highly respected. There used to be two types of healers, the Sangomas did more fortune telling while Inyangas gave medicine from plants and animals. However modern healers usually do a little of both Sangomas bring a balanced relationship between spirits and patients.Someone who has a problem and goes to the Sangoma will be given a type of muthi to help fix this, as well as the Sangoma trying to figure out the root cause of the problem Sangomas go through a training process to become Sangomas. Usually a Sangoma is called to be a Sangoma through the ancestors. Sangoma They perform birth and death rituals, rituals to find lost cattle, protect warriors, and counteract witches.These rituals are performed to the ancestors to show respect These rituals usually include animal sacrificesSummoning ancestorsBurning plants DancingChantingPlaying drumsChannelling Interpreting dreamsThrowing bones And giving Muthi (medicine)

Rituals Muti means medicine, specifically traditional medicine. Although originally it was the Zulu word for tree. Most muthi is made from plants. Many White South Africans use the term Muthi for any medicineThere is usually symbolism in the medicine given. For example if someone lacks courage they will be given something to do with a lion. Muthis try to purify a person. This is done through bathing with muthi, vomiting, steaming or inhaling a muthi, nasally or snuffing muthi, or cutting your skin and placing the muthi in the cut. Of course the ancestors help guide these decisions as well.Muthi

Muthi There are places in town where I saw traditional muthi sold I learned about Sangomas through my exchange in South Africa because my host mom, who is white South African, believed that western doctors had an important place, however she though sometimes all you needed to get better was to see a traditional healer to find the root of the problem and balance it.One of my friends at school has an uncle who is a Sangoma as well.South African public holidays are celebrated by the Zulu people but they have some unique holidays as wellShakas day in September every year is a day celebrating all the kings of the Zulu kingdom (the present king Zwelithini of Swaziland included) on this day cattle is slaughtered and people wear their traditional Zulu attire and gather at the tomb of Shaka. People from all over come to praise all Zulu kingsHolidaysThe Zulu people have celebrations for many things like birth, puberty, marriage, and death. Typically a sacrificial animal will be slaughtered to the ancestorsThese ceremony's also include singing and dancing to the beat of a drum and some dress up in traditional clothing. Folklore may even be toldFor puberty girls are separated for a time which signals a change of status into adulthood and then when they are re introduced to society an animal is slaughtered and there is dancing and feasting. After this ceremony they are ready for marriage.

Celebrations Food Beef and dairy is a key part of Zulu cuisine because the cattle herds. The food has a major Indian and colonial influence because other cultures living in South Africa. Women brew beer. It takes 3 days to do this first steeping sorghum and maize in water and letting it sit Then the next day boiling it and letting it sit. Adding it to sorghum Then the third day filtering it and consuming it. It is social and ritual to drink beerBeerThe ubantu (human) philosophy is to eat and drink from the same plate, communally, showing friendship. Dishes Pap Pap is a type of porridge made from mielie meal. It is very thick, and is a staple food to many South Africans. It is usually eaten with other food (such as sauce, meat or vegetables)Another type of pap is Phutu which is a crumbly form of porridge Other foods includeChakalaka is a spicy vegetable relish eaten with pap and other South African dishes Meat is typically braaied or boiledAmazi is curdled milkLocally grown fruits and vegetables are also eaten.

To date a man visits or sends a love letter or beaded message declaring his love for a girl. The girl then tells him she loves him as well then they can be seen together in public. The parents are only informed when marriage proposal happens.To get married the husband to be must pay the girl he wants to marries family. This is called Lobola. Lobola is usually paid in cows or money. How much the man pays depends on the girls value such as if she is an only child and has a good reputation more will be paid for her.When the husbands family comes to discuss the marriage with the wives family they will come to the home and say he wants to marry the fathers daughter. The father will then bring out all his daughters who will look down and the other family must say which daughter without a close look at her. If they choose correctly lobola is negotiated.Pre weddingAfter labola is paid a date for the wedding is set. The bride buys gifts for her in laws and a goat is slaughtered so the ancestors will protect herThe groom slaughters two cows and prepares foodOn the wedding day the bride goes to the grooms home in a blanket and never looks back. She enters the house when no one is looking They dress in traditional clothes and do traditional dances at the wedding afterwards gifts are given and a cow is slaughtered Weddings Polygamy is legal in South Africa and according to Zulu beliefs. President Zuma has multiple wives Having many wives is a sign of the husbands wealth If the wife is unfulfilling her father needs to pay back the lobola. The wifes responsibility is to bring up children, tend fields, carry water, make pots, and brew beer

Marriage Living conditions Rural Most Zulu people who live in rural areas have no electricity, water, good education, or formal housing. Most of the extended family all lives togetherIn South Africa illiteracy is high but slowly improving. This is because the majority of people can not afford good education.

Urban Some Zulu people live in townships which are towns on the outskirts of industrial cities. The conditions are better than rural conditionsWesternized Traditional homes

Traditional houses are made with thatched roofs and in a circular fenced structure. Usually there are many houses together because the whole family lives there. Men are responsible for building the house while women weave ropes and mats for the inside of the home. The floor is made from cow dung. There is one low door. These homes will last 10-15 years.

In traditional culture it is disrespectful to look at an elder person in the eyes as they speakWhen shaking hands or giving something you use your right hand while placing your left hand under your right elbow to show nothing is hidden Customs Boys look after the herds all day. They play stick fighting which shows the influence of military on Zulu culture. Girls do chores like carrying water, planting and reaping crops, making fire, cooking and looking after her brothers. The Zulu man is also seen as the head of the household, he holds all the power.Men enter rooms first to make sure the room is safeWives walk behind men. The wives are seen as inferior to their husbands Men are served food first, then women, then sons, then daughters

Gender roles Beware of the Tokoloshe. The legend of the Tokoloshe changes slightly depending on the family, but the Tokoloshe is a evil little monster. Parents tell there kids about the Tokoloshe coming at night and stealing things and if the children are out of bed he will get them which encourages kids to stay in bed at night and prevents them from going out as it is dangerous. This is why most peoples beds are high so the little monster cant get them. I have also heard stories saying the Tokoloshe sits in the corner which is why most homes are round. Tales and Legends

My personal experiences Eunice shared her home with me I was able to see how most rural Zulu people live She had her nieces and nephews and neighbourhood kids dance for usShe also dressed us up in traditional beads

Ixoxo My host mom is involved in a foundation called Ixoxo pronounced with two click sounds meaning frog in Zulu. It started because a small rural school in Hilton were one of her friends works at a preschool for the Zulu kids trying to teach them English. They then started a fundraising campaign to send some of the smart kids to a proper school. I spent a day at the preschool then driving around picking up the kids. For more information on Ixoxo or if you are willing to donate the official website is here

http://ixoxo.org/

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