Learn About The Traditional Zulu Culture
South Africa is one very colorful and diverse country. Our population is made up of many different races, cultures and religions. South Africa as a matter of fact is referred to as the Rainbow Nation, a title that we are very proud of. We are home to the English, the Afrikaners, the Xhosa’s, Indians, Chinese…and many, many more!
I Live In The South African Province Of Kwa Zulu Natal
One of the cultures constitutes the majority of the area where I live, Kwa Zulu Natal, is that of the Zulu people. The Zulus are the founders of this land and the name Kwa Zulu means place of the Zulus.
Fact: Natal was the name given to the area when it was colonised by Britain, when this colonisation came to an end, it was renamed “Kwa Zulu Natal. Here in KZN (the abbreviation for the province), the Zulu people make up the majority of the population and while they have absorbed western ways and modern trends, many of them still very much practice the traditions and customs of their original culture.
While many of the Zulu people live exactly like your average westerner, there are still a handful who prefer to live as they once did, with their tribes out in the rural areas. Here they still live in their traditional grass and mud huts and they often still eat from the land. These Zulu people take their culture and birth-right very seriously.
Close to where I live, there is still just such a traditional Zulu village! These villagers let you visit and for a fee they will perform their dances, let you into their huts and teach you their ways. These people belong to the Ghasa Clan, a traditional Zulu tribe whose ancestors date back hundreds of years.
The Gasa People
The Zulu culture is extremely unlike the Western culture, the traditions, beliefs and general way of life is very different.
Traditional Zulu Clothing
Think animal skins, grass and colorful beads. The traditional Zulus dress according to their marital status. Usually the outfit of man consists of a skirt made from animal fur (those with the highest status in the tribe wear leopard skins), women wear grass skirts. These days the skirts are usually placed over some sort of undergarment, to keep things more modest. Married men wear animal skin headbands. It is custom for unmarried women to go topless, but today this is a bit of a taboo, so they compensate by wearing a bikini top. The ladies decorate their headdresses and clothing with an array of colourful beads!
Zulu Dishes
Meals consist mostly of maize, vegetables such as pumpkin, cabbages, tomatoes and onions, nothing much different here. But the Zulu people have been known to brew their own beer from sorghum and maize. I’ve never tasted the beer but is said to be refreshing with a somewhat sour taste. A very traditional drink, which has actually been boxed and can now be bought in stores, is Amazi.
In a nut shell: Amazi is curdled sour milk (not my cup of tea)! Even more westernised Zulu people enjoy this traditional drink.
Zulu Beliefs
The Zulu people believe that their ancestors live in a spirit world, and regard their ancestors as intermediaries between themselves and this world. They place great emphasis on their ancestors and they are often praised and worshiped. When someone dies, their funeral is taken very seriously. Traditionally, Zulu people believed in Sangomas (spiritual healers), since sicknesses and bad luck were seen more as the wrath of an angry ancestor than a health issue or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“It is believed that all ancestors must be kept in the memory of the family otherwise, if forgotten, they may seek to be remembered by visiting trouble on them. – source”
Other Zulu Practices:
- Zulu Dancing. The Zulu people have a creative and unique way of dancing, a lot of the moves entail kicking legs up high, shaking of the arms and hands and dancing with instruments such as sticks, spears and drums.
- Crafting out of clay, beads and grass/leaves. The Zulu nation are born artists and creatives and are known for their colorful bead-work, sculpturing and baskets.
How To Say Hello In Zulu
Sawubona (pronunciation: s-ow-oo-baw-na)
The Zulu people have strong family bonds and uncles and aunts are often considered as important as mothers and fathers. They are friendly people - whether they still practice age old traditions or are or follow western ways. The Zulu people offer a true look into South African history, especially since they have know the land for much longer than any other race or culture.
How To Say Goodbye In Zulu
Hamba kahle (pronunciation: ha-ummba, ka-gglair)
On that note -
HAMBA KAHLE
wow it seems very interesting culture. These people are very hardworking and peaceful.
That is true :)
Love your sharing! Just a suggestion, this article also quite meets the requirements of “culturevulture!” Maybe you can consider change one tag for it! 😊
Whoa, "Rainbow Nation" sounds like a place I'd like to be. And your photos here really do paint a good picture of that. In fact my circle of friends shares a similar Spirit, with its own "buffalo" (American bison) on display, with reverence for the Rainbow Warriors of this day and age. I'm resteeming the color!
Thanks, so kind of you and thanks for keeping the world "colourful".
reminds me of that jim carrey movie 😂😂
and now I can say hello..if I can remember haha! thanks for sharing :) I enjoyed learning something new
Wow, it's amazing, I just learned about a new culture. Thank you very much excellent post
super interesting! I love learning stuff like this about other cultures.