The hills and plains of Natal have been awash with blood spilled in dozens of battles. Many men have sacrificed their lives, fighting to either win her or keep her, enthralled by this region's rich beauty and fertile valleys. The name of one group of people, the ZULUS, has resounded throughout Natal and across the Western world, and the story of this people’s fearlessness and iron-willed discipline in battle has become the stuff of legend. These people transformed from a clan into a mighty nation under the rule of the famous warrior-king, “Shaka” - the fearless lord. One of his training methods was to make his warriors run barefoot across thorn fields and anyone who cried out in agony was put to death.
A traditional Zulu homestead, known as an ‘umuzi’ is a cluster of thatched dwellings that are home to a married man and his family.The umuzi is circular and consists of a number of beehive huts. We stayed in one of our own during a beautiful, full moon night in a cultural Zulu village on Elephant Coast.
Zululand is a proud nation with a social hierarchy based on respect. The Zulu believe that destiny has put each person in a certain place for a specific reason and so each person has a set place in the Zulu social hierarchy. The standing of members of Zulu society is reflected in the traditional dress still worn at ceremonies and celebrations in South Africa.
Animal skins, feathers and beadwork are worn by both Zulu men and women.
Fernando dressed up as a Zulu man in the above picture is wearing a calf-skin apron to cover his buttocks. He then donned on a leopard skin which is worn by royalty only (how vain!) and used strips of antelope’s hides to wear as a skirt and cover his head.
Aditi as a Zulu woman wore a short, beaded skirt and ornamental beads and belt to adorn her. (Beads are frequently used by young Zulu women to communicate aspects of love and courtship by using different color beads to convey different messages)
The Zulus are famous for their rich singing voices and sense of rhythm. Zulu dancing is very energetic and performed only by unmarried girls and men. Men incorporate battle and hunting movements in their dancing, banging their shields and sticks to great effect, while women dance more modestly.
We experienced this fiery and passionate display of cultural dance and singing by a group of young school children around a campfire. And they even coaxed us to join them in the end to dance like they do!
It was a night to remember!
