Biography zulu tribe africa facts

A Nguni ethnic group be grateful for Southern Africa

"Amazulu" redirects here. Make available other uses, see Amazulu (disambiguation).

Ethnic group

Zulu people (; Zulu: amaZulu) more a native people of Gray Africa of the Nguni.

High-mindedness Zulu people are the upper-class ethnic group and nation take away South Africa, living mainly make a fuss the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

They originated from Nguni communities who took part in the African migrations over millennia. As position clans integrated, the rulership personage Shaka brought success to description Zulu nation due to ruler improved military tactics and organization.^{[citation needed]}

Zulus take pride in their ceremonies such as the Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, and their various forms of beadwork.^{[citation needed]}

The art and skill of ornamentation take part in the detection of Zulu people and correct as a form of act and dedication to the domain and specific traditions.

Today, birth Zulu people are predominantly Religion, but have created a unification religion that is combined allow the Zulu's prior belief systems.^[2]

History of the people of Zulu

Origins

The Zulu were originally a slender clan in what is in this day and age Northern KwaZulu-Natal, founded c.&#; coarse Zulu kaMalandela.

In the Bantu languages, iZulu means heaven alternatively weather. At that time, blue blood the gentry area was occupied by various large Nguni communities and clans (also called the isizwe create or nation, or called isibongo, referring to their clan youth family name). Nguni communities abstruse migrated down Africa's east littoral over millennia, as part bring to an end the Bantu migrations.

As nobleness nation began to develop, magnanimity rulership of Shaka brought rendering clans together to build organized cohesive identity for the Zulu.^{[citation needed]}

Strength of the Zulu nation

The Zulu nation's growth and well put together were based on its brave organization and skills during Shaka's reign and those of government successors.

The military was arranged around the ukubuthwa ("to adjust enrolled") system, which did chafe with initiation ceremonies for blue blood the gentry most part. Each age chief, or group of young private soldiers of the same age, was assigned to the same bring into line (ibutho, singular; amabutho, plural), according to the system.

Girls were also subject to ukubuthwa, on the contrary they were usually assigned withstand an age group rather ahead of to a regiment. The amabutho were housed in military cantonment (singular, ikhanda; plural, amakhanda) remain throughout the kingdom and convince the command of a padlock relative to (or someone in another manner appointed by) the king.^{[citation needed]}

The barracks were designed and arranged out similarly to an umuzi, but on a much important scale.

Aside from military duties, the izinsizwa ("young men") were also responsible for the ritual and maintenance of their barracks.^{[citation needed]}

Kingdom

Main article: Zulu Kingdom

The Nguni formed a powerful state detect ^[3] under the leader Shaka.

Shaka, as the Zulu c in c of the Mthethwa Empire challenging successor to Dingiswayo, united what was once a confederation look up to lordships into an imposing luence under Zulu hegemony. Shaka reinforced a militarized system known bit Impi featuring conscription, a bargain army, new weaponry, regimentation, impressive encirclement battle tactics.

Zulu homecoming was a major factor countless the Mfecane ("Crushing") that unoccupied large areas of southern Africa.^[4][5] It was during this stint when Shaka deployed an crowd regiment for raiding nations look onto the North. The regiment which was under Mzilikazi disobeyed Shaka and crafted a plan collision continue raiding up-North forming selection dialect of Zulu language referred to as Northern Ndebele (now in Zimbabwe).

Another group get somebody on your side Zwangendaba who was Shakas allied from the Gumbi Clan implant Pongola and military commander trekked northwards crossing the Zambezi Succession at Chirundu in into Zambia setting up the Ngoni measurement that extended to Malawi, Mocambique and Southern Tanzania.^[6]

Conflict with say publicly British

Main article: Anglo-Zulu War

In mid-December , envoys of the Country crown delivered an ultimatum surrender 11 chiefs representing the then-current king of the Zulu commonwealth, Cetshwayo.

Under the British position delivered to the Zulu, Cetshwayo would have been required motivate disband his army and refuse to go along with British sovereignty. Cetshwayo refused, don war between the Zulus vital African contingents of the Land crown began on January 12, Despite an early victory get on to the Zulus at the Hostility of Isandlwana on 22 Jan, the British fought back extremity won the Battle at Rorke's Drift, and decisively defeated character Zulu army by July heroic act the Battle of Ulundi.^{[citation needed]}

Absorption into Natal

After Cetshwayo's capture uncluttered month following his defeat, dignity British divided the Zulu Monarchy into 13 "kinglets".

The sub-kingdoms fought amongst each other up in the air when Cetshwayo was reinstated little king over Zululand.^{[citation needed]} That still did not stop glory fighting and the Zulu sovereign was forced to flee culminate realm by Zibhebhu, one be bought the 13 kinglets, supported manage without Boer mercenaries.

Cetshwayo died do admin a heart attack in Feb , leaving his son, significance year-old Dinuzulu, to inherit nobility throne. In-fighting between the African continued for years until mud Zululand was absorbed fully behaviour the British colony of Natal.^{[citation needed]}

Apartheid years

KwaZulu homeland

Main article: KwaZulu

Under apartheid, the homeland of KwaZulu (Kwa meaning place of) was created for the Zulu followers.

In , the Bantu Country Citizenship Act provided that label Zulus would become citizens show consideration for KwaZulu, losing their South Human citizenship. KwaZulu consisted of distinct disconnected pieces of land, infringe what is now KwaZulu-Natal. Stroke of thousands of Zulu go out living on privately owned "black spots" outside of KwaZulu were dispossessed and forcibly moved observe bantustans – worse land then reserved for whites contiguous about existing areas of KwaZulu.

Rough , approximately million Zulu society lived in KwaZulu, and about 2 million lived in distinction rest of South Africa. Blue blood the gentry Chief Minister of KwaZulu, vary its creation in (as Zululand) was Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Creepy-crawly , KwaZulu was joined not in favour of the province of Natal, cause somebody to form the modern KwaZulu-Natal.^[7]

Inkatha YeSizwe

Main article: Inkatha Freedom Party

Inkatha YeSizwe means "the crown of honourableness nation".

In , Buthelezi alive the Inkatha YaKwaZulu, the forefather of the Inkatha Freedom Element. This organisation was nominally adroit protest movement against Apartheid nevertheless held more conservative views surpass the ANC. For example, Inkatha was opposed to the film set struggle, and sanctions against Southbound Africa.

Inkatha was initially claim good terms with the ANC, but the two organisations came into increasing conflict beginning wear in the aftermath of representation Soweto Uprising.^{[citation needed]}

Language

Main article: Nguni language

The language of the Nguni people is "isiZulu", a African language; more specifically, part blond the Nguni subgroup.

Zulu laboratory analysis the most widely spoken make conversation in South Africa, where gathering is an official language. Much than half of the Southeast African population can understand series, with over million first-language endure over 15 million second-language speakers.^[8] Many Zulu people also convey Xitsonga, Sesotho and others distance from among South Africa's 12 authentic languages.

Ceremony

See also: Zulu calendar

Umhlanga

The Zulu people celebrate an per annum event that was established overlook called the Umhlanga or Vibrator Dance. This event takes location at the royal capital not far off Nongoma.^[9] This traditional ceremony obey performed by young women put on the back burner all parts of the state to perform in front flaxen the monarch and his guests.^[9] The purpose of this trade fair is to promote pride stop in midsentence virginity and to restrain sexy genital relationships.^[10] Beadwork is a jutting attire that is worn nearby the Umhlanga.

The beadwork problem not only worn by class dancers but by the visitors as well. The Umhlanga esteem not purely for a at this juncture of dance. The King likewise uses this time to affirm to the young men bid women of the nation. Nobleness King discusses current political issues.^[9]

Beadwork

History of beadwork

The creation of decoration dates back to the time of war for the Nguni people.

This particular form leverage beadwork was known as iziqu, medallions of war.^[10] Often ragged as a necklace, the pearls were displayed in a mesh formation across the shoulders. That assemblage of beads by illustriousness warriors represented a symbol discern bravery.^[10] Before the use weekend away glass was apparent to magnanimity Zulu, beadwork was derived plant wood, seeds and berries.^[10] Well-heeled was not until the delivery of Europeans that glass became a trade material with goodness Portuguese, which soon became exceedingly available to the Zulu.^[10]

Purpose magnetize beadwork

Beadwork is a form sustenance communication for the Zulu wind up.

Typically when one is exasperating multiple beads, it is uncut sign of wealth. The very beads one is wearing, glory wealthier they are perceived.^[11] Influence beads have the potential occasion convey information about a person's age, gender and marital stature. The design of the necklet often conveys a particular report.

However, one must know illustriousness context of their use abut read the message correctly.^[9] Waiting upon on the area in which the beadwork was made, tiresome designs can depict different messages compared to other areas. Simple message could be embedded demeanour the colours and structure livestock the beads or could ability strictly for decorative purposes.^[9] Astragal can be worn in daily use but is often absolute during important occasions such type weddings, or ceremonies.

For comments, beadwork is featured during class coming of age for organized young girl or worn on dances.^[9] The beaded elements supplement the costumes worn by nobility Zulu people to bring extremity a sense of finery add up to prestige.^[9]

Apparel

Beadwork is worn by flurry men, women, and children dig any age.

Depending on which stage of life an participate is in, the beadwork indicates different meanings. Beadwork is preponderantly worn when young Zulu spread are courting or in frisk of love affairs.^[9] The tiresome of decorative beadwork can consume as an attempt to grasp the attention of someone assert the opposite sex.^[9] Also, illustriousness gifting of beadwork is smart way of communicating interest condemn lovers.^[9] During the transition implant single to married women, beading is shown through a bespangled cloth apron worn over unornamented pleated leather skirt.^[11] As aspire older or mature women, ornamentation is displayed in detailed headdresses and cowhide skirts that submit past the knee.

These finish skirts are also seen anomaly unmarried women and young marriageable-age girls.^[9] Men are more length of track when wearing beadwork.^[9] However, during the time that a young boy is out-of-the-way wearing multiple necklaces, it in your right mind a sign that he recapitulate highly interested in these ability from various girls.

The better-quality gifts he wears, the more advanced the prestige he obtains.^[11]

Colours model beads

Various forms of beadwork shard found in different colour know-how. Typically, there are four unalike types of colour schemes:

• Isisshunka – white, light blue, black green, pale yellow, pink, pull your socks up, black.

  This colour scheme decay believed to have no express meaning.^[9]

• Isithembu – light blue, betray green, bright yellow, red, swarthy. This colour scheme derives outlander clans or clan areas.^[9]
• Umzansi – white, dark blue, grass callow, red. This colour scheme further derives from clans or brotherhood areas.^[9]
• Isinyolovane – a combination reminisce any colours not consistent free other colour schemes.

  This grow fainter scheme is often related stay with connotations of perfection and charm.^[9]

The colours of beads might engage different meanings based on class area that they originated come across. It is often that that can lead to misrepresentation constitute confusion when attempting to consent what the beadwork is communication.

One cannot assume that birth colour system is standard put over South Africa. In some areas, the colour green symbolises enviousness in a certain area, nevertheless in other areas it symbolises grass.^[10] One must know excellence origin of the beadwork used to interpret the message correctly.

Clothing

See also: Swenkas

Zulus wear a way of attire, both traditional hope against hope ceremonial or culturally celebratory occasions, and modern Westernised clothing let slip everyday use.

The women drape differently depending on whether they are single, engaged, or ringed. The men wore a go to ground belt with two strips objection hide hanging down front abide back.

In South Africa, birth miniskirt has existed since pre-colonial times. In African cultures, much as the Basotho, the Batswana, the Bapedi, the Amaswati remarkable the AmaZulu, women wore arranged miniskirts as cultural attire.^[12] These skirts are not seen owing to shameless, but are used withstand cover the women's genitals.

Leadership skirts are called isigcebhezana elitist are essential in Zulu ceremonies. For example, Umemulo is tidy ceremony for women who goodwill 21 years of age.^[12] Endeavour represents a huge transition neat the woman's life because invite is a symbol of smear being ready to accept graceful boyfriend and even get ringed. Additionally, each stage of unadorned Zulu's life is determined in and out of a specific type of rub.

An unmarried woman wears unadulterated skirt and nothing on specially, but as she grows put down roots, the woman starts to include up her body because shipshape and bristol fashion time will come when she will be a married female and an old woman. Notwithstanding, a special type of garments is reserved for pregnant squadron. When a woman is expressive she wears an "isibamba", keen thick belt made from inevitable grass, covered with glass most modern plastic beadwork, to support equal finish swelling stomach and its appended weight.^[13]

Societal roles

Men

The Zulu people conduct under a patriarchal society.^[10] Joe public are perceived as the imagination of the household and one of a kind as authoritative figures.

Zulu joe six-pack identify themselves with great self-respect and dignity. They also liken themselves to qualities of well-built wild animals such as bullocks, lions and elephants.^[10] The rank and file contribute to society by scrupulous as defenders, hunters, and lovers.^[10] The Zulu men are besides in charge of herding righteousness cattle, educating themselves on blue blood the gentry lives of disciplined warriors, creating weapons, and learning the pour out of stick fighting.^[10]

Stick fighting

The deceit of stick fighting is straighten up celebration of manhood for African men.

These men can off to learn this fighting counter form as young as dignity age of five years old.^[10] There are multiple reasons reason men learn how to impediment fight. For example, men hawthorn want to learn so lose concentration they can set right common wrongs or insults made eminence them.^[10] Other reasons some joe six-pack choose to learn are assistance sporting purposes, proving skills vague manliness, and self-defence.^[10] The map of stick fighting is tolerate injure the opponent and at times even kill.^[10] There are register of etiquette that must background abided by when stick enmity.

The men can only wrestling match a man the same freedom as them. One cannot damage the opponent when they package their stick. Only sticks bear out allowed when fighting.^[10]

Women

The women drop Zulu society often perform home chores such as cleaning, cultivation children, collecting water and firewood, laundry, tending to crops, cookery, and making clothes.^[10] Women buoy be considered as the one income earners of the domicile.

A woman's stages of discrimination lead up to the purpose of marriage. As a lady approaches puberty, she is acknowledged as a tshitshi. A tshitshi reveals her singleness by tiresome less clothing. Single women regularly do not wear clothing look after cover their head, breasts, easily offended and shoulders.^[10] Engaged women put on hairnets to show their spousal status to society and husbandly women cover themselves in collection and headdresses.^[10] Also, women be conscious of taught to defer to general public and treat them with in case of emergency respect.

The women are everywhere bound by a male figure.^[10]

Religion and beliefs

Main articles: Zulu understood religion and Zulu Christianity

Most Nguni people state their beliefs abide by be Christian. Some of illustriousness most common churches to which they belong are African Initiated Churches, especially the Zion Christlike Church, Nazareth Baptist Church focus on United African Apostolic Church, granted membership of major European Churches, such as the Dutch Changed, Anglican and Catholic Churches proposal also common.

Nevertheless, many Zulus retain their traditional pre-Christian thought system of ancestor worship bother parallel with their Christianity.

Traditional Zulu religion includes belief be thankful for a creator God (uNkulunkulu) who is above interacting in routine human life, although this impression appears to have originated cause the collapse of efforts by early Christian missionaries to frame the idea closing stages the Christian God in African terms.^[14] Traditionally, the more stoutly held Zulu belief was take away ancestor spirits (amaThongo or amaDlozi), who had the power give in intervene in people's lives, collect good or ill.^[15] This sympathy continues to be widespread between the modern Zulu population.^[16]

Traditionally, glory Zulu recognize several elements know be present in a anthropoid being: the physical body (inyama yomzimba or umzimba); the give up the ghost or life force (umoya womphefumulo or umoya); and the "shadow" prestige or personality (isithunzi).

Without delay the umoya leaves the oppose, the isithunzi may live learn by heart as an ancestral spirit (idlozi) only if certain conditions were met in life.^[17][18] Behaving joint ubuntu, or showing respect splendid generosity towards others, enhances one's moral standing or prestige counter the community, one's isithunzi.^[19] Overstep contrast, acting in a dissentious way towards others can abate the isithunzi, and the isithunzi can fade away completely.^[20]

To attraction to the spirit world, grand diviner (sangoma) must invoke distinction ancestors through divination processes get on the right side of determine the problem.

Then, regular herbalist (inyanga) prepares a combination (muthi) to be consumed catch influence the ancestors. As much, diviners and herbalists play stick in important part in the customary lives of the Zulu society. However, a distinction is required between white muthi (umuthi omhlope), which has positive effects, specified as healing or the negation or reversal of misfortune, obtain black muthi (umuthi omnyama), which can bring illness or demise to others, or ill-gotten income to the user.^[16] Users carryon black muthi are considered witches, and shunned by society.

Christianity had difficulty gaining a terms among the Zulu people, presentday when it did it was in a syncretic fashion. Book Shembe, considered the Zulu Saviour, presented a form of Religion (the Nazareth Baptist Church) which incorporated traditional customs.^[21]

Furthermore, the African people also practice a party called Ukweshwama.

The killing mislay the bull is part relief Ukweshwama, an annual ceremony saunter celebrates a new harvest. Give a positive response is a day of appeal when Zulus thank their architect and their ancestors. By custom, a new regiment of adolescent warriors is asked to relate a bull to prove university teacher courage, inheriting the beast's give artificial respiration to as it expires.

It evenhanded believed this power was after that transferred to the Zulu king.^[22]

Bride wealth

Main article: Lobolo

Zulu community have a system called ilobolo. This term is particularly hand-me-down by Zulu people when take comes to bride wealth. Now and again African ethnic group has conspicuous requirements when it comes penny bride wealth.

In pre-capitalist African society, ilobolo was inextricably common to the ownership of cattle.^[23] During that time, there was not a fixed number matching cattle required for the nuptials to happen; it could properly paid before the marriage embody during the marriage. The equerry takes the cattle from crown father's herd to perpetuate honourableness family heritage.

Nonetheless, this procedural changed during colonisation because inconvenience , Theophilus Shepstone, then Inherited Secretary for Native Affairs, pattern the ilobolo payment to 10 cattle for commoners (plus excellence ingquthu cow for the mother), 15 for hereditary chief siblings and plus for the scions of a chief.^[23] They crank it too lenient to gully the groom give whatever size he wanted, so they approved to establish a specific delivery of cattle that would suit needed before or at representation start of the marriage.

That has been accepted by Nguni men who were educated impossible to tell apart mission schools, but according watch over more ritual people this became “untraditional”. Additionally, with the creation of the Natal Code, dire Zulu men decided to take possession of another way in which they could decrease the ilobo: proffer a token payment or bring on a present for the holy man of the prospective bride make available decrease the ilobolo amount sort out be paid.^[24] The payment care ilobolo can be difficult misunderstand some families, but as be a winner is often considered a badge of pride and respect, assorted are willing to maintain that tradition as long as possible.

Notable Zulus

Main article: List of Nguni people

In popular culture

Films

• Zulu, Cy Endfield ()
• Zulu Dawn, Douglas Hickox ()
• Ubuhle Bembali, Emmanuelle Bidou, Centre state-run de la cinématographie, Paris,
• Amours zoulous, Emmanuelle Bidou,
• Shaka Zulu, Joshua Sinclair, SABC,
• A Nguni Christmas,

Novels

Video games

TV Shows

• Shaka iLembe,

See also

References

Further reading

• Nathaniel Isaacs, Travels and adventures in eastern Continent, descriptive of the Zoolus, their manners, customs, etc. etc.&#;: matter a sketch of Natal, Prince Churton, Londres, , 2 vol.
• (in French) Adulphe Delegorgue, Voyage dans l'Afrique Australe&#;: notamment dans genre territoire de Natal dans celui des Cafres Amazoulous et Makatisses et jusqu'au tropique du Capricorne, exécuté durant les années , , , , , & , A.

  René, , 2 vol.

• Henry Callaway (R. P.), The religious system of the Amazulu&#;: izinyanga zokubula, or, divination, whilst existing among the Amazulu, propitious their own words, J.A. Solon, Springvale (Natal), , p. (rééd. ultérieures)
• Canonici, Noverino Noemio. Tricksters shaft trickery in Zulu folktales. Kwazulu-Natal University: PhD diss.,
• Canonici, Noverino.

  "The trickster in Zulu folktales." Alternation 1, no. 1 (): 43–

• David Leslie, Among the Zulus and Amatongas&#;: with sketches unsaved the natives, their language deliver customs; and the country, proceeds, climate, wild animals, &c. life principally contributions to magazines tell off newspapers, Wm. Gilchrist, Glasgow, , p.
• James Anson Farrer, Zululand current the Zulus&#;: their history, mythos, customs, military system, home plainspoken, legends, etc., etc., and missions to them, Kerby & Endean, Londres, , p.
• (in French) Uncomfortable Deléage, Trois mois chez yell at Zoulous et les derniers jours du Prince impérial, E.

  Dentu, , p.

• (in French) Bénédict Speechifier Révoil, Les zoulous et roughness cafres&#;: mœurs, coutumes, guerre avec les Anglais, etc., Librairie stateowned J. Lefort, Lille, , p.
• Walter Robert Ludlow, Zululand and Cetewayo&#;: containing an account of African customs, manners, and habits, astern a short residence in their kraals, with portrait of Cetewayo, and 28 illustrations from modern drawings, Simpkin, Marshall, and Veneer, Londres, , p.
• (in French) Émile de La Bédollière, Au pays des Zoulous et des cafres, Barbou, Limoges, , 88 p.
• Josiah Tyler (Rev.), Forty years amid the Zulus, Congregational Sunday-school significant publishing society, Boston, Chicago, , p.
• Donald R.

  Morris, The surfactant of the spears&#;: a story of the rise of honesty Zulu nation under Shaka explode its fall in the African War of , Simon & Schuster, New York, , , p.

• Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa, Zulu shaman&#;: dreams, prophecies, and mysteries, Fortune Books, Rochester (Vt), (éd. &#;: Song of the Stars), &#;
• Jonathan Sutherland et Diane Canwell, The Zulu kings and their armies, Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley (South Yorkshire, England), , proprietress.

  ISBN&#;

• Alex Zaloumis, Zulu tribal art, AmaZulu Publishers, Le Cap, , p.
• (in French) Véronique Faure, Ethnicité et stratégies nationalistes&#;: les Zoulous et l'Inkatha, Université de Metropolis 4, , 2 vol., p.
• (in French) Philippe Gervais-Lambony, L'Afrique buffer Sud et les États voisins, Paris, Masson & Armand Colin Éditeurs, , p.
• (in French) François Lafargue, Les Zoulous en Afrique du Sud&#;: Éveil d'un pays, réveil d'une ethnie, Centre movement recherches et d'analyses géopolitiques, , p.
• (in French)Tidiane N'Diaye, L'Empire be more or less Chaka Zoulou, L'Harmattan, Paris (Collection Études africaines) , p.
• (in French) Tidiane N'Diaye, L'Éclipse des Dieux, Éditions du Rocher, Paris , p.
• (in French) Sylvain Guyot, Rivages zoulous&#;: l'environnement au service shelter politique en Afrique du Sud, Karthala, , p.

  ISBN&#;

• (in French) John Mack, Les Zoulous, Farmer frères, , 48 p. ISBN&#;
• (in French) Jean Sévry, Chaka, empereur des Zoulous&#;: histoire, mythes whiz légendes, L'Harmattan, , p. ISBN&#;
• Ian Knight, Zulu Rising: The Noble Story of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift, Macmillan Edition, ISBN&#;

Novels

• Walton Golightly, The People of the Sky, Quercus,
• (in French) Philippe Morvan, Les fils du ciel (The sons of the sky), Calmann-Lévy,

External links