See South Africa’s Zulu
Formed in the early 17th century, the Zulu nation is a branch of the southern Bantu people and has close ethnic, linguistic and cultural ties with the Swazi and Xhosa.
Commonly referred to as ‘The People of the Heavens’ they are the largest single ethnic group in South Africa, with an estimated population of about 10-12 million people.
Their traditional language, isiZulu is spoken within the tribesmen. Uniting into a great Kingdom under the leadership of Shaka, they are traditionally grain farmers who venture into cattle herding when need be and this was mainly by raiding the farms of their neighbors who were mostly Europeans.
The traditional ruler of the Zulu people is the monarch. Their traditional religion is based on ancestor worship and on beliefs in a creator god, witches, and sorcerers.
The strength of their King is in his ability to perform rites on behalf of people in seasons such as planting season, war, drought, and famine.
Despite their traditional beliefs, Christianity has blossomed due to the growth of independent or separatist churches under prophets, some of great wealth and influence.
With some of the most unique traditions on the continent, the Zululand is still globally recognized. Here are five fascinating traditions you can only witness among the Zulu people.
Celebration of First Fruit Ceremony
This ceremony is usually held amongst the township of Eshowe in February. Known as the ‘first fruits ceremony’, its practice involves the use of poisonous snakes by the local traditional healer (sangoma), who is called Khekhekhe.
The ceremony tells the real story of how Chief Dingiswayo i.e. Shaka Zulu’s mentor gained power over snakes as a young man. To prove that truly that is the case, Khekhekhe handles dangerous snakes and puts their heads in his mouth.
The driving force behind tourism to get foreigners to experience rural Zululand and African spirituality, Khekhekhe has 14 wives.
The ceremony which takes place on 23rd February every year is well attended by fellow Sangomas.
Fear of Lightning
The Zulu people have an interesting fear of Lightning. According to tales, anyone, animal or tree struck by this earthly disaster is considered unlucky and that incident is tagged as the wishes of the spirit.
A natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer months, persons killed by lightning would not have a burial ceremony. Due to this, the Zulu people protect themselves and cattle with herms against lightning.
Sorcery and Healing
A Sangoma is a traditional healer who performs the act of healing various kinds of sickness and predicting the future. In healing anyone who has been sick, he weirdly places a puff adder snake close to the mouth of the sick in the midst of chants.
To further determine or predict the future of people, he uses the same snake as an instrument in telling the people what would happen to them in the future.
Zulu Warriors
Zulu men addressed disputes in a very fascinating way. These disputes between men are publicly addressed through stick fighting. The fight which is witnessed by the entire village often ends as soon as blood flows from the wounds of the loser.
In the event of death, charges are not brought as long as the fighters go by the rules of engagement. This practice aided the Zulus in warfare against the 1, 500 British troops in 1879.
Traditional Marriage Dressing
The Zulu women are known to dress according to their marital status. For an eligible single woman, it is the norm to flaunt her body and breast to indicate her availability. In doing so, they wear skirts made out of grass or beaded cotton strings. This, however, isn’t the case with a married woman.
A married woman in the Zululand will cover her body as an indication to others that she is unavailable.
The men are not left out, the traditional attire for men is umqhele (warrior’s headband) amambatha to put over the shoulders, ibheshu (acts as a trouser) around the waist, umcedo (used as underwear) to cover the genitalia, and imbadada for his foot.
