Zulu people

Lore & Background

The Zulu were originally a minor clan in what is today Northern KwaZulu-Natal, founded 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. 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. The Zulu formed a powerful state in 1816 under Shaka. Shaka, as the Zulu commander of the Mthethwa Empire and successor to Dingiswayo, united what was once a confederation of lordships into an imposing empire under Zulu hegemony. Shaka built a militarized system known as Impi featuring conscription, a standing army, new weaponry, regimentation, and encirclement battle tactics. Zulu expansion was a major factor of the Mfecane that depopulated large areas of southern Africa. In mid-December 1878, envoys of the British crown delivered an ultimatum to 11 chiefs representing King Cetshwayo. Cetshwayo refused, and war began on January 12, 1879. Despite an early Zulu victory at the Battle of Isandlwana, the British won at Rorke's Drift and decisively defeated the Zulu army by July at the Battle of Ulundi. After Cetshwayo's capture, the British divided the Zulu Empire into 13 'kinglets'. In-fighting continued until 1897 when Zululand was absorbed fully into the British colony of Natal. Under apartheid, the homeland of KwaZulu was created for the Zulu people. In 1994, KwaZulu was joined with the province of Natal to form modern KwaZulu-Natal.

Reader's Guide

The Zulu people celebrate an annual event called the Umhlanga or Reed Dance. This event takes place at the royal capital near Nongoma. Young women from all parts of the kingdom perform in front of the monarch and his guests. The purpose is to promote pride in virginity and to restrain sexual relationships. Beadwork is a prominent attire worn at the Umhlanga. The King also uses this time to speak to the young men and women about current political issues. The language of the Zulu people is isiZulu, a Bantu language and part of the Nguni subgroup. Zulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, where it is an official language. Many Zulu people also speak Xitsonga, Sesotho and others from among South Africa's 12 official languages.

Did You Know?

• The Zulu nation's growth and strength were based on its military organization and skills during Shaka's reign and those of his successors.
• The military was organized around the ukubuthwa system, which did away with initiation ceremonies for the most part.
• Each age set of young men was assigned to the same regiment (ibutho), and girls were also subject to ukubuthwa but usually assigned to an age group.
• The amabutho were housed in military barracks (amakhanda) located throughout the kingdom.
• The Mvelase people were conquered by King Shaka Zulu and absorbed into the Zulu empire; they are recognized as Zulu today but historically not part of it.