The Zulu nation became legendary during the time of King Shaka's reign. It was a time when the Zulu's were both feared and respected. He was a ruthless yet fair king who taught his warriors new methods of fighting. Soon the Zulu's became a force to be reckoned with. The methods of warfare may have changed but the customs and life of the Zulu's never altered. A Zulu has remained faithful to its customs no matter how modern times have changed the world.
The most prominent character besides the King of the Zulu's is the Isangoma. The inyanga and isanus also have high standing in the tribe. Usually all three are woman. The Sangoma/witchdoctor is believed to be the divine healer and has supernatural powers of communicating with the ancestral spirits. The Zulu king relies heavily on the advice and forecasts of the Sangoma.
The “throwing of bones” is a Sangoma's connection to the ancestral spirit world and she prescribes medicine according to the nature of the illness. The Inyanga/herbalist is the one who makes up these medicines and is also seen as the “doctor” of the tribe. The isanus is able to recognize sorcerers and evil doers. Both the Sangoma and the invanga must undergo years of training before they can practice their knowledge but the Sangoma must have a sacred calling from the devine spirits as well.
Men, woman and children all have a definite roll to play in the smooth running of the tribe. Women are the homemakers. They must see to the cooking, washing, cleaning, children and the elder. It is their duty to fetch water and make sure there is enough wood for the fires. It is their duty to bare children and if they don't they loose their status in the family. It is vitally important to bare a male child in order to carry on the family name. The Zulu's take care of their elder. It is an honor for a woman to care for her in-laws. The women pass on the folklores and traditions to the children.
Men are the providers and protectors. They construct homes, care for the livestock, hunt and fight. (They were great warriors but now they protect their families from evil doers). Children respect their fathers to the point of fearing them and will never talk to the father unless spoken to. If a man's wife does not produce offspring he must take himself another wife. A rich Zulu will take many wives. He must pay heavily for a wife. A Zulu mans wealth is calculated in the amount of cattle, wives and children he has.
Boys and girls are shown the different roles as soon as possible. The boys tend the cattle while the girls help their mothers. The ears of Zulu children are pierced at a young age so that both the ears of the mind can also hear. Circumcision is taken with pride and it is a mark of boys becoming men.
According to the Zulu customs a woman is valuable possession. Because of this a man must pay lobola for his future wife. This payment also compensates for the father loosing his daughter. This is a price paid to his in-laws and decided by the elders of both families. Usually the price is in the form of cattle but in modern times has changed to currency. The couple may not marry until the Lobola has been paid in full.
The groom's family will slaughter a cow to show that their new daughter-in-law has been accepted into the family. The bride will take money and put it into the stomach of the cow with all looking on. She will also give present in the form of blankets to her new family and the new family's ancestors.
Zulu woman are famous for bead work. They use beads to convey messages and used by a girl courting a male. Each color of the bead has a meaning and a necklace or arm bracelet becomes a letter. The women's main attire consists of beads. Dance and music is also extremely important to the Zulu's. Music and dancing is performed for all occasions like birth, death and marriage. A beautiful yet menacing dance to watch is the one performed by young men who are being initiated into manhood.
All the customs and beliefs revolve around their ancestors. They believe strong that the ancestors protect them, bring them good health and prosperity. Grave sites are highly respected and kept safe. Offerings and sacrifices are also done on a regular basis. They also believe that the ancestors come to earth in the form of a snake so snakes are feared and respected as well.
Men will first place beer down for the ancestors before drinking himself and woman will place a piece of bread down for the ancestors. To forget an ancestor means bringing misfortune to the family or tribe. They do believe in one supreme god but the ancestral spirits have more power than this god and must be revered at all times.
