Learn About The Traditional Zulu Culture

in #steemiteducation6 years ago

South Africa – The Rainbow Nation. In my country we have people from all different races, cultures and religion. I love the diversity of my land. WELCOME TO AFRICA! A place where our skin colour is different shades, our languages are unique and culture is rich and deep.

I Live In The South African Province Of Kwa Zulu Natal – The Land Of The Zulus


The Zulu culture is very prominent in KZN (Kwa Zulu Natal). The Zulu people are the founders of this land and the namesake 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 the majority of the Zulu population now live exactly like your everyday Westerner, there are still a handful of people who prefer to stick to their roots. These cultural Zulus are usually found living with their tribes out in the more rural and quiet areas. In my location, many still live in their traditional grass and mud huts, eating from the land and practising their culture religiously. 

Not far from my home, there is an example of such a village! I have been very lucky in that I have sat down for a small chat with this tribe on more than one occasion! These villagers let you visit and for a fee (to run their village) 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 Clan - Image By @sweetpea

More About The Gasa Clan


The Zulu culture is extremely unlike the Western culture, the traditions, beliefs and general way of life is in some ways, quite extreme.  For instance:


Traditional Zulu Clothing 

Our traditional Zulu people are outfitted in animal skins, grass and colourful beads. The traditional Zulus dress according to their marital status, interesting right! Usually the outfits of men consist 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 Women - Image By @sweetpea

Zulu Dining

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 

Those who hold tight to the age-old Zulu culture believe that their ancestors live in a spirit world, and regard them as intermediaries between two worlds. 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. 

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.

Images By @sweetpea

Crafting out of clay, beads and grass/leaves. 

The Zulu nation are born artists and creatives and are known for their colourful beadwork, sculpturing and baskets.  

Learn How To Say Hello In Zulu 

Sawubona (pronunciation: s-ow-oo-baw-na)  

Learn How To To Say Goodbye In Zulu

Hamba kahle (pronunciation: ha-ummba, ka-gglair)

On that note -

HAMBA KAHLE

Much love - @sweetpea

(bringing you original content)

Join us @steemitbloggers

Animation By @zord189

Sort:  

What an honor to be able to chat and learn from the Zulu people. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and story. :)

Nice descriptive piece on local people @sweetpea

Thanks my friend :)

Thank you for the post!

It is obvious you put in a lot of work and research in preparation for this post.

I think everyone appreciate it and to show my appreciation I'm resteeming it for you!

Keep on steeming...

@sacryptocollect

That's so kind of you, thank you very much!

I loved to know about this culture, I did not know it existed, I was very interested in the dress they wear and their dances.

I am so glad you got to learn something new :)

Thanks for sharing about Zulu. Singapore is a multi-racial society that enhances on racial harmony. I really don't get to see such culture over here!

Wow, I wish we would embrace racial harmony here in South Africa :(

I find it very interesting and very enrriquecedor to know the different cultures that exist worldwide and you can see that South Africa is a country full of culture and tradition, I love your article I congratulate you and I will give you reestem because it contains very interesting information that can interest many. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much for your positive words :)

unmarried women to go topless, but today this is a bit of a taboo

This makes me sad, all influence on someone else's culture makes me sad and this was influenced I am sure, just like many other things. Thank you for sharing such a lovely post, it is very cute and educational and now I know how to great people in Zulu language, how wonderful! 💚

It is quite sad yes, but it is very difficult for all of these different cultures and races to live together, so we all have to compensate in one way or another, so that we can at least try live harmoniously.

You just received a Tier 0 upvote! Looking for bigger rewards? Click here and learn how to get them or visit us on Discord
If you would like to opt out of receiving comments reply with STOP

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.35
TRX 0.12
JST 0.039
BTC 70310.43
ETH 3568.34
USDT 1.00
SBD 4.73