History of South African Zulu Villages

Zulu villages, found all through the KwaZulu-Natal province, are an integral part of this fiercely proud people's traditional way of life.The Zulu, meaning ‘people of the heavens', were once a disparate group of clans and chieftainships that were melded into a mighty, feared kingdom by Shaka in the early 19th century.Because of the exploits of King Shaka, the Zulu are arguably the best known of Africa's tribes. Their language, tending to be idiomatic and proverbial in nature, is the most widely spoken in South Africa.

This South African Zulu village offers a comprehensive Zulu experience, from foot stomping tribal dancing by assegai-wielding warriors in traditional animal skins to consultations with a sangoma (spiritual leader believed to have the ability to communicate with the ancestors) and an inyanga (traditional herbalist).  

The Zulus are known to be one of the proudest peoples in southern Africa. They draw high self esteem from their history which to them is proof of their courage and fighting spirit in confrontation with other tribes and the colonial powers. They are proud of their rites and traditions, their dancing and singing, their team spirit and last, but not least they are proud of their king.In the Zulu Africa Cultural Villages most of them situated in southern Zululand between Eshowe and Empangeni visitors have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Zulus' traditional way of life as it used to be practiced for centuries.

The Zulu Cultural Village invites people from all over the world to get a taste of this ancient people and the customs and beliefs that have provided its foundation. Even the modern society has strong ties to this history, making it relevant even to the South African youth.

The Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. They are well known for their beautiful brightly colored beads and baskets as well as other small carvings.The Zulu believe that they are descendants from a chief from the Congo area, and in the 16th century migrated south picking up many of the most interesting traditions and customs of the San who also inhabited this South African area.Zulu people During the 17th and 18th centuries many of the most powerful chiefs made treaties and gave control of the Zulu villages to the British.This caused much conflict because the Zulu had strong patriarchal village government systems so they fought against the British but couldn'tZulu basket win because of the small strength they possessed.

The Zulu believe in a creator god known as Nkulunkulu, but this god does not interact with humans and has no interest in everyday life. Therefore, most Zulu's interact on a day to day level with the spirits. In order to interact with the spirits the Zulu must use divination to interact with the ancestors.

The Zulu people, who comprise the largest ethnic group in South Africa, have a wide variety of foods particular to their area of the world. Among them are fruits and vegetables not found elsewhere. Although colonization has influenced their diets by adding crops like maize (corn) and tomatoes, the Zulu people still have many traditional foods that they incorporate into their modern diets. Outside of Africa, few of these indigenous Zulu foods and dishes are available.

Trditional Dance of Zulu Tribe in South Africa

Traditional Zulu dancing is an important part of the Zulu Tribe culture. Dancing is usually performed during a traditional Zulu Tribe ceremony, and is accompanied by vibrant singing and sometimes the beating of drums. Zulu dance is something quite spectacular, especially when the men and women are fully dressed in their traditional attire.It is customary that unmarried and young men dance, alternating in separate groups, occasionally the married women and men break in and join the festivities.

According to Zulu Tribe Culture thousands of Zulu Tribe virgins dance at the Enyokeni Zulu Tribe Royal Palace each September at the Reed Dance Festival, or Umkhosi Womhlanga. The tradition begins with the virgin maids gathering reeds from the river and bringing them to the Zulu king. The girls dance with the reeds in front of the king, and then he chooses his bride. Besides the bride choice, one of the main purposes of this ritual was to encourage girls to remain virgins until marriage.                  

Native to South African Music, the Zulu tribe has many rituals that have been passed from generation to generation over time. Dancing is one of the most common types of community rituals, and it is incorporated into most Zulu ceremonies. Zulu Tribe dances are signs of happiness and they occur when any significant event takes place.

Types of Zulu Dances

There are many types of Zulu Tribe dances besides the reed dance. The Ingoma dance is considered one of the most purist forms of Zulu Tribe dance, according to Zululand Ecoadventures. This dance is performed to a chant and during transition ceremonies, such as coming of age, weddings and pre-hunt or pre-battle time periods. The Ingoma is frantically danced and incorporates high kicking motions.

Bull Dance

Bull Dance a most popular dance that originated in the cramped confines of the mine dormitories imitating a bull with the arms held aloft and the legs brought down with a thump. The rural girls have their own version.

Music

Ingoma dances are done with the sounds of the dancers’ chants. In the Isishameni form of Ingoma, the boys and girls dance separately, and the opposite genders clap along for each other. The Indalamu dance is done with drums and whistles. The Isicathamiya and Umbholoho dances are danced to both drums and songs.

Hunting Dance

The Hunting Dance imitates the actions of hunting and the bravery it requires. This fiery dance is danced using sticks instead of spears to avoid injury and was danced before the hunt began. The girls also dance their own version but to welcome the men back from the hunt.

Clothing

Girls are bare-chested and wear wool skirts and ankle rattles during the Ingoma dances and reed dance. Boys and men typically only wear cowhides that cover their genitals and backsides during the Ingoma dance. Men wear full warrior attire, such as cowhides, head rings, ankle rattles, ceremonial belts and shields during the Indalamu dance.

Facts About South African Zulu Tribe

The Zulu Tribe of South Africa believe that they are descendants of a chief from the Congo region. They believe that everything happens for a reason as a result of an evil sorcery or offending of the spirits, this is why they interact with the spirits for their god Nkulunkulu does not get involved with the daily aspects of the human life. The Zulu Tribe code of dressing is complex as a result of their shields. The work of the women is to cultivate the land while men take care of the cows.

Over thousands of years the Zulu's ancestors, the Nguni people, migrated down the east coast of Africa as part of the Bantu migrations. They eventually reached South Africa around the ninth century AD, where a small Zulu clan formed.In the early 1800's the famous Zulu Tribe warrior and king Shaka ka Senzangakhona united the Zulu tribes into a powerful kingdom. He is known for his military genius which was matched with his brutality.                  

                                                     
As much as there are some scattered Zulu Tribe speaking people all over the provinces, majority of the Zulu-speaking people live in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Most of the 9 million Zulu-speakers in South Africa reside in this province or have migrated initially from this province to other provinces in South Africa Culture Since majority of its population are Zulu-speaking people, it is therefore known as the home of the Zulu Tribe.

The Zulu peoples language is called isiZulu Tribe. IsiZulu is part of the Nguni subgroup of the Bantu language. It is South Africa’s most widely spoken language. Many Zulus Tribe also speak several of South Africa’s eleven other official languages including English, Afrikaans, Portuguese, Shangaan, and Sesotho.

The Zulu people of African Tribe wear different types of clothing for different occasions. They may wear traditional tribal clothing for cultural events or ceremonies but otherwise wear westernized clothing for everyday use.The type of clothing a women wears is dictated by her marital status. A single unengaged women will wear a short skirt usually made of grass and will also wear beautiful beadwork. An engaged women will let it be know that she is engaged by covering her bosom with a decorative cloth. Married Zulu Tribe women wear clothing that covers their body completely.

However, the Zulu Tribe culture extends far beyond the battles fought for land and settling rights. Theirs is a culture that is centred on tradition and ritual. Most major life events (weddings, funerals, coming of age, etc...) are marked by the slaughter of an animal, feasting, drinking and socialising with friends and family. Of course, the traditional cuisine is a major part of this culture.

Zulu Tribe Women Clothing in South Africa

South Africa a women's clothing can incorporate beaded and woven skirts, blankets and cloaks with elaborate motifs. The colorful jewelry are made from metal including copper, grasses and beads.South African Tribes culture is incredibly interesting because it is so diverse. Every south African region is a mix of tribes each with their own unique language and culture, living and women clothing. The idea of South African zulu tribe clothing inspires images of rich colors and ceremonial dress but, the fact is, South African women clothing is as diverse as the African continent. South Africa’s ancient civilizations demonstrate the continent’s long history of creating women clothing for utilitarian as well as celebratory and symbolic purposes.    

Womens Clothing A single maiden will wear only a short grass skirt embellished perhaps with beads whilst an engaged girl will cover her breasts and allow her hair to grow. married woman covers her entire body to indicate that she is taken and wears a thick cowhide skirt that has been treated with charcoal and animal fat. Over this skirt may be another of cloth in white, red or black. Over her breasts, the woman wears a cover decorated with beads with a message understood only by her husband.The most impressive adornment is the hat which is constructed with grass and cotton that is sewn into the hair. These may measure as much as a meter across and last for a few months, whereupon the procedure is repeated.

Married Woman covers her body completely signalling to other men that she is taken. When a young girl gets married, she then has to wear certain coloured beads in her hair and around her skirt so that everyone in the village can see that she is married.

Unmarried Woman who are avaiable are proud of displaying their figure/body. They wear a short skirt made of grass or beaded cotton strings and puts on a lot of creative beads.Women Clothing for Zulu girls is mainly made of beadwork and is usually revealing.They also wear isidwaba, a pleated skirt made of cowhide and softened by hand. Younger women sometimes decorate their skirts with beads.

Engaged Woman will let her traditionally short hair grow. They cover their breast with a decorative cloth. This shows respect for her future husband and family. Allows people to know that she is spoken for.