History
Origins
The Zulu were originally a major clan in what is today Northern KwaZulu-Natal, founded ca. 1574 by Zulu kaMalandela. In the Nguni languages, ''iZulu'' means ''heaven'', or weather''.'' At that time, the area was occupied by many large Nguni communities and clans (also called the ''isizwe'' people or nation, or called ''isibongo'', referring to their clan or family name). Nguni communities had migrated down Africa's east coast over millennia, as part of the Bantu migrations. As the nation began to develop, the rulership of Shaka brought the clans together to build a cohesive identity for the Zulu.Strength of the Zulu Nation
The Zulu nation's growth and strength was based on its military organization and skills during Shaka's reign and that of his successors. The military was organized around the ukubuthwa ('to be enrolled') system, which did away with initiation ceremonies for the most part. Each age-set, or group of young men of the same age, was assigned to the same regiment - ibutho singular, amabutho plural - according to the system. Girls were also subject to Ukubuthwa, but they were usually assigned to an age group rather than a regiment. The amabutho were housed in military barracks - ikhanda singular, amakhanda plural - located throughout the kingdom and under the command of a close relative or someone appointed by the king. The barracks were designed and laid out similarly to an umuzi, but on a much larger scale. Aside from military duties, the izinsizwa 'young men' were also responsible for the repair and maintenance of their barracks.Kingdom
The Zulu formed a powerful state in 1816 under the leader Shaka. Shaka, as the Zulu commander of the Mthethwa Empire and successor toConflict with the British
In mid-December 1878, envoys of the British crown delivered an ultimatum to 11 chiefs representing the then-current king of the Zulu empire, Cetshwayo. Under the British terms delivered to the Zulu, Cetshwayo would have been required to disband his army and accept British sovereignty. Cetshwayo refused, and war between the Zulus and African contingents of the British crown began on January 12, 1879. Despite an early victory for the Zulus at theAbsorption into Natal
After Cetshwayo's capture a month following his defeat, the British divided the Zulu Empire into 13 "kinglets". The sub-kingdoms fought amongst each other until 1883 when Cetshwayo was reinstated as king over Zululand. This still did not stop the fighting and the Zulu monarch was forced to flee his realm by Zibhebhu, one of the 13 kinglets, supported by Boer mercenaries. Cetshwayo died by heart attack in February 1884, leaving his son, the 15-year-old Dinuzulu, to inherit the throne. In-fighting between the Zulu continued for years, until in 1897 Zululand was absorbed fully into the British colony of Natal.Apartheid years
KwaZulu homeland
Under apartheid, the homeland of''Inkatha YeSizwe''
''Inkatha YeSizwe'' means "the crown of the nation". In 1975, Buthelezi revived the Inkatha YaKwaZulu, predecessor of the Inkatha Freedom Party. This organization was nominally a protest movement against Apartheid, but held more conservative views than the ANC. For example, Inkatha was opposed to the armed struggle, and to sanctions against South Africa. Inkatha was initially on good terms with the ANC, but the two organizations came into increasing conflict beginning in 1976 in the aftermath of the Soweto Uprising.Language
The language of the Zulu people is "isiZulu", a Bantu language; more specifically, part of the Nguni subgroup. Zulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, where it is an official language. More than half of the South African population are able to understand it, with over 9 million first-language and over 15 million second-language speakers. Many Zulu people also speak Xitsonga, Sesotho and others from among South Africa's 11 official languages.Ceremony
Umhlanga
The Zulu people celebrate an annual event that was established in 1984 called the Umhlanga or Reed Dance. This event takes place at the royal capital near Nongoma.Beadwork
History
The creation of beadwork dates back to the times of war for the Zulu people. This particular form of beadwork were known as ''iziqu'', medallions of war. Often worn as a necklace, the beads were displayed in a criss-cross formation across the shoulders. This assemblage of beads by the warriors represented a symbol of bravery. Before the use of glass was apparent to the Zulu, beadwork derived from wood, seeds and berries. It was not until the arrival of Europeans that glass became a trade material with the Portuguese, which soon became abundantly available to the Zulu.Purpose
Beadwork is a form of communication for the Zulu people. Typically when one is wearing multiple beads, it is a sign of wealth. The more beads one is wearing, the wealthier they are perceived. The beads have the potential to convey information about a person's age, gender and marital status. The design of the beads often conveys a particular message. However, one must know the context of their use in order to read the message correctly.Apparel
Beadwork is worn by all men, women, and children at any age. Depending on which stage of life an individual is in, the beadwork indicates different meanings. Beadwork is dominantly worn when young Zulu people are courting or in search for love affairs.Colors of beads
Various forms of beadwork are found in different color schemes. Typically, there are four different types of color schemes: * ''Isisshunka'' – white, light blue, dark green, pale yellow, pink, red, black. This color scheme is believed to have no specific meaning.Preston-Whyte, Eleanor (1994). ''Speaking with Beads''. New York, New York: Thames and Hudson. pp. 1–96. * ''Isithembu'' – light blue, grass green, bright yellow, red, black. This color scheme derives from clans or clan areas. * ''Umzansi'' – white, dark blue, grass green, red. This color scheme also derives from clans or clan areas. * ''Isinyolovane'' – combination of any colors not consistent with other color schemes. This color scheme is often related to connotations of perfection and charm. The colors of beads might hold different meanings based on the area that they originated from. It is often at times that this can lead to misrepresentation or confusion when attempting to understand what the beadwork is communicating. One cannot assume that the color system is standard across South Africa. In some areas, the color green symbolizes jealousy in a certain area, but in another area it symbolizes grass. One must know the origin of the beadwork in order to interpret the message correctly.Clothing
Zulus wear a variety of attire, both traditional for ceremonial or culturally celebratory occasions, and modern westernized clothing for everyday use. The women dress differently depending on whether they are single, engaged, or married. The men wore a leather belt with two strips of hide hanging down front and back. In South Africa, the miniskirt has existed since pre-colonial times. In the African cultures, such as the Basotho, the Batswana, the Bapedi, the Amaswati and the AmaZulu, women wore traditional miniskirts as cultural attire. These skirts are not seen as shameless but used to cover the women's genitals. The skirts are called isigcebhezana and are essential in Zulu ceremonies. For example, Umemulo is a ceremony for women who turn 21 years of age. It represents a huge transition in the woman's life because it is a symbol of her being ready to accept a boyfriend and even get married. Additionally, each stage of a Zulu's life is determined by a specific type of clothing. For an unmarried woman, she wears the skirt and nothing on the top, but as she grows up, the woman starts to cover up her body because a time will come in which she will be a married woman and an old woman. Nonetheless, a special type of clothing is reserved to pregnant women. When a woman is pregnant she wears aSocietal roles
Men
The Zulu people govern under a patriarchal society. Men are perceived as the head of the household and seen as authoritative figures. Zulu men identify themselves with great pride and dignity. They also compare themselves to qualities of powerful wild animals such as bulls, lions and elephants. The men contribute to society by acting as defenders, hunters, and lovers. The Zulu men are also in charge of herding the cattle, educating themselves on the lives of disciplined warriors, creating weapons, and learning the art of stick fighting.Stick fighting
The art of stick fighting is a celebration of manhood for Zulu men. These men can begin to learn this fighting art form as young as the age of five years old. There are multiple reasons why men learn how to stick fight. For example, men may want to learn so that they can set right any wrongs or insults made towards them. Other reasons some men choose to learn are for sporting purposes, proving skills or manliness, and self-defense. The goal of stick fighting is to injure the opponent and sometimes even kill. There are rules of etiquette that must be abided by when stick fighting. The men can only fight a man the same age as them. One cannot hit the opponent when they lose their stick. Only sticks are allowed when fighting.Women
The women in Zulu society often perform domestic chores such as cleaning, raising children, collecting water and firewood, laundry, tending to crops, cooking, and making clothes. Women can be considered as the sole income-earner of the household. A woman's stages of life lead up to the goal of marriage. As a woman approaches puberty, she is known as a ''tshitshi''. A ''tshitshi'' reveals her singleness by wearing less clothing. Single women typically do not wear clothing to cover their head, breasts, legs and shoulders. Engaged women wear hairnets to show their marital status to society and married women cover themselves in clothing and headdresses. Also, women are taught to defer to men and treat them with great respect. The women are always bound by a male figure.Religion and beliefs
Most Zulu people state their beliefs to be Christian. Some of the most common churches to which they belong areBride wealth
Zulu people have a system called '. This term is particularly used by Zulu people when it comes to bride wealth. Every African ethnic group has different requirements when it comes toNotable Zulus
In popular culture
;Films * '' Zulu'', Cy Endfield (1964) * '' Zulu Dawn'',See also
*References
Further reading
* Nathaniel Isaacs, ''Travels and adventures in eastern Africa, descriptive of the Zoolus, their manners, customs, etc. etc. : with a sketch of Natal'', Edward Churton, Londres, 1836, 2 vol. * Adulphe Delegorgue, ''Voyage dans l'Afrique Australe : notamment dans le territoire de Natal dans celui des Cafres Amazoulous et Makatisses et jusqu'au tropique du Capricorne, exécuté durant les années 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843 & 1844'', A. René, 1847, 2 vol. * Henry Callaway (R. P.), ''The religious system of the Amazulu : izinyanga zokubula, or, divination, as existing among the Amazulu, in their own words'', J.A. Blair, Springvale (Natal), 1870, 448 p. (rééd. ultérieures) * Canonici, Noverino Noemio. ''Tricksters and trickery in Zulu folktales.'' Kwazulu-Natal University: PhD diss., 1995. * Canonici, Noverino. "The trickster in Zulu folktales." ''Alternation'' 1, no. 1 (1994): 43–56. * David Leslie, ''Among the Zulus and Amatongas : with sketches of the natives, their language and customs; and the country, products, climate, wild animals, &c. being principally contributions to magazines and newspapers'', Wm. Gilchrist, Glasgow, 1875, 436 p. * James Anson Farrer, ''Zululand and the Zulus : their history, beliefs, customs, military system, home life, legends, etc., etc., and missions to them'', Kerby & Endean, Londres, 1879, 151 p. * Paul Deléage, ''Trois mois chez les Zoulous et les derniers jours du Prince impérial'', E. Dentu, 1879, 370 p. * Bénédict Henry Révoil, ''Les zoulous et les cafres : mœurs, coutumes, guerre avec les Anglais, etc.'', Librairie de J. Lefort, Lille, 1880, 196 p. * Walter Robert Ludlow, ''Zululand and Cetewayo : containing an account of Zulu customs, manners, and habits, after a short residence in their kraals, with portrait of Cetewayo, and 28 illustrations from original drawings'', Simpkin, Marshall, and Co, Londres, 1882, 219 p. * Émile de La Bédollière, ''Au pays des Zoulous et des cafres'', Barbou, Limoges, 1882, 88 p. * Josiah Tyler (Rev.), ''Forty years among the Zulus'', Congregational Sunday-school and publishing society, Boston, Chicago, 1891, 300 p. * Donald R. Morris, ''The washing of the spears : a history of the rise of the Zulu nation under Shaka and its fall in the Zulu War of 1879'', Simon & Schuster, New York, 1971, 1965, 655 p. * Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa, ''Zulu shaman : dreams, prophecies, and mysteries'', Destiny Books, Rochester (Vt), 2003 (éd. 1996 : ''Song of the Stars''), 224 p. * Jonathan Sutherland et Diane Canwell, ''The Zulu kings and their armies'', Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley (South Yorkshire, England), 2004, 198 p. * Alex Zaloumis, ''Zulu tribal art'', AmaZulu Publishers, Le Cap, 2000, 301 p. * Véronique Faure, ''Ethnicité et stratégies nationalistes : les Zoulous et l'Inkatha'', Université de Bordeaux 4, 1996, 2 vol., 712 p. * Philippe Gervais-Lambony, ''L'Afrique du Sud et les États voisins'', Paris, Masson & Armand Colin Éditeurs, 1997, 253 p. * François Lafargue, ''Les Zoulous en Afrique du Sud : Éveil d'un pays, réveil d'une ethnie'', Centre de recherches et d'analyses géopolitiques, 1996, 708 p. * Tidiane N'Diaye, ''L'Empire de Chaka Zoulou'', L'Harmattan, Paris (Collection Études africaines) 2002, 250 p. * Tidiane N'Diaye, ''L'Éclipse des Dieux'', Éditions du Rocher, Paris 2004, 317 p. * Sylvain Guyot, ''Rivages zoulous : l'environnement au service du politique en Afrique du Sud'', Karthala, 2006, 250 p. * John Mack, ''Les Zoulous'', Granger frères, 1981, 48 p. * Jean Sévry, ''Chaka, empereur des Zoulous : histoire, mythes et légendes'', L'Harmattan, 1991, 251 p. * Ian Knight, ''Zulu Rising: The Epic Story of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift'', Macmillan Edition, 2010Novels
* Walton Golightly, ''The People of the Sky'', Quercus, 2013 * Philippe Morvan, ''Les fils du ciel'' (''The sons of the sky''),