The Zulu people and their long, proud and violent history have shaped the destinies of all people in the now South African province of KwaZulu-Natal over the past 200 years. 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 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.History of South African Zulu's Tribal life
Zulu villages, found all through the KwaZulu-Natal province, are an integral part of this fiercely proud people's traditional way of life.The AmaZulu believe that they are the direct descendants of the patriarch Zulu, who was born to a Nguni chief in the Congo Basin area. In the 16th century the Zulu migrated southward to their present location, incorporating many of the customs of the San, including the well-known linguistic clicking sounds of the region. Each member of the family has a place within a traditional Zulu village setup in KwaZulu-Natal. Beehive-shaped huts are built around the cattle kraal, the family has its sacred spot for worship and ceremony, visitors are greeted by gatekeepers, girls assist their mothers and boys herd the livestock.
Traditions and Customs and Culture of living
The Zulu women are primarily responsible for the household, including cooking and taking care of elderly relatives. It is said that Zulu men would rather go hungry than to touch a cooking pot, although that has changed somewhat in the urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal. The Reed Dance Festival celebrated every year sees thousands of Zulu virgins collect reeds from the nearby river to present to the king. As described in the Welcome to Zululand website, this festival is intended to celebrate and respect the virtue of young Zulu women. Traditionally, this also is the time when the Zulu king picks his youngest wife.
Zulu tribe art
The Zulu are best known for their beadwork and basketry. There have also been some figural sculpture questionably attributed to them. Zulu architecture is quite complex, and the dress or fashion of the Zulu has been carefully studied.
Social Structure
The Zulu population is divided relatively in half between the rural and urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal. The Zulu men are in charge of the household and represent the family in public meetings. The Zulu are divided into tribes with each having its chief, who in turn owes his allegiance to the king. Zulus practice polygamy and the first wife and grandmother exert more influence over the household than the other wives.
