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For other uses, see Zulu (disambiguation).
Zulus
Zulus in traditional garments
Total population

10,659,309 (2001 census)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Flag of South Africa South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal 7. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa KwaZulu-Natal (kwɑːˌzuːluː nəˈtɑːl often referred to as " KZN " is a province of South Africa. 6 million [1]
Gauteng 1. Gauteng (xaʊˈtɛŋ Sotho xɑ́útʼèŋ̀ is a province of South Africa. 9 million [1]
Mpumalanga 0. Mpumalanga, (umˈpuːməlɑŋɡə – name changed from Eastern Transvaal on 24 August 1995) is a province of South Africa 8 million [1]
Free State 0. History See also Orange Free State Geography The Free State is situated on flat boundless plains in the heart of South Africa 14 million [1]
Languages
Zulu
(many also speak English or Afrikaans or Portuguese or other indigenous languages such as Xhosa)
Religions
Christian, African Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Bantu · Nguni · Basotho · Xhosa · Swazi · Matabele · Khoisan

The Zulu (South African English and isiZulu: amaZulu) are the largest South African ethnic group of an estimated 10-11 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Zulu (called isiZulu in Zulu is a Language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers the vast majority (over 95% of whom live in South English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Afrikaans is an Indo-European language, derived from 17th century Dutch and classified as Low Franconian Germanic, mainly spoken in Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. See also Xhosa language The Xhosa (ǁʰɔsɑ( people are speakers of Bantu languages living in south-east South Africa, and in the last two Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings See also Religion in Africa African traditional religions, also referred to as African indigenous religions or African Bantu may refer to Bantu expansion, a series of migrations of Bantu speakers Bantu languages Bantu people The Basotho people have lived in Southern Africa since around the fifteenth century. See also Xhosa language The Xhosa (ǁʰɔsɑ( people are speakers of Bantu languages living in south-east South Africa, and in the last two The Swazi are a Bantu -speaking people in southeastern Africa, chiefly in Swaziland and South Africa and some in Mozambique, who speak This article relates to the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe For other uses of the term please see Ndebele. Khoisan (increasingly commonly spelled Khoesan or Khoe-San) is the name for two major Ethnic groups of Southern Africa. South African English ( SAE, en-ZA) is a Dialect of English spoken in South Africa and in neighbouring countries with a large number Zulu (called isiZulu in Zulu is a Language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers the vast majority (over 95% of whom live in South KwaZulu-Natal (kwɑːˌzuːluː nəˈtɑːl often referred to as " KZN " is a province of South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Small numbers also live in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election The Republic of Zambia (ˈzæmbɪə is a Landlocked country in Southern Africa. Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique (Moçambique or República de Moçambique, ʁɛ'publikɐ d musɐ̃'bik is a country in southeastern Africa Their language, isiZulu, is a Bantu language; more specifically, part of the Nguni subgroup. Zulu (called isiZulu in Zulu is a Language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers the vast majority (over 95% of whom live in South The Bantu languages (technically Narrow Bantu languages) constitute a grouping belonging to the Niger-Congo family The Zulu Kingdom played a major role in South African History during the 19th and 20th centuries. Ancient history The Bushmen See also Ancient History of South Africa Some three million years ago Ape -human-like Hominids Under apartheid, Zulu people were classed as third-class citizens and suffered from state sanctioned discrimination. Today, they are the most numerous ethnic group in South Africa, and have equal rights along with all other citizens.

Contents

Origins

The Zulu were originally a major clan in what is today Northern KwaZulu-Natal, founded ca. KwaZulu-Natal (kwɑːˌzuːluː nəˈtɑːl often referred to as " KZN " is a province of South Africa. 1709 by Zulu kaNtombhela. Zulu kaNtombela, son of Ntombela kaMalandela, was the founder and chief of the Zulu clan from ca In the Nguni languages, iZulu/iliZulu/liTulu means heaven, or sky. Nguni languages are mostly spoken by Nguni people, which are group of clans and nations living in south-east Africa At that time, the area was occupied by many large Nguni communities and clans (also called isizwe=nation, people or isibongo=clan). Nguni and communities had migrated down Africa's east coast over thousands of years, as part of the Bantu migrations probably arriving in what is now South Africa in about the 9th century A. Bantu may refer to Bantu expansion, a series of migrations of Bantu speakers Bantu languages Bantu people D.

Kingdom

Main article: Zulu Empire
Zulu warriors, late nineteenth century(Europeans in background)
Zulu warriors, late nineteenth century
(Europeans in background)

The Zulu formed a powerful state in 1816 under the leader Shaka. The Zulu Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the Zulu Empire, was a Southern African state in what is now South Africa. Shaka (sometimes spelled Tshaka, Tchaka or Chaka; ca 1787 – ca Shaka, like all the Zulu chiefs before him, was given a large amount of power over the tribe. A commander in the army of the powerful Mtweta Empire, he became leader of his mentor Dingiswayo's paramountcy and united what was once a confederation of tribes into an imposing empire under Zulu hegemony. Dingiswayo (c1780 - 1817 was a Mthethwa chief best known for his mentorship over a young Zulu general Shaka Zulu, who rose to become the greatest of

Conflict with the British

Main article: Anglo-Zulu War

On December 11, 1878, agents of the British delivered an ultimatum to 14 chiefs representing Cetshwayo. The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Empire. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Year 1878 ( MDCCCLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The terms required Cetshwayo to disband his army and accept British authority. Cetshwayo refused, and war followed at the start of 1879. During the war, the Zulus handed the British their most severe defeat prior to World War I at the Battle of Isandlwana on January 22. The Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was the opening major encounter in the Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom The British managed to get the upper hand after the battle at Rorke's Drift, and win the war with the Zulu defeat at the Battle of Ulundi on July 5. Rorke's Drift was a mission station in Natal, South Africa, situated near a natural ford (drift on the Buffalo River at. The Battle of Ulundi took place at the Zulu capital of Ulundi on July 4, 1879 and proved to be the decisive battle that finally broke the

Absorption into Cape Colony

After Cetshwayo's capture a month after his defeat, the British divided the Zulu Empire into 13 "kinglets". The subkingdoms fought amongst each other until 1883 when Cetshwayo was reinstated as king over Zululand. Zululand, the Zulu -dominated area of northern KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, extends along the coast of the Indian Ocean from the Tugela This still did not stop the fighting and the Zulu monarch was forced to flee his realm by Zibhebhu, one of the 13 kinglets, supported by Boer mercenaries. UZibhebhu kaMaphitha (1841 - 1904 was a Zulu chief 1883-1884 son of Cetshwayo. Cetshwayo died in February 1884, possibly poisoned, leaving his son, the 15 year-old Dinuzulu, to inherit the throne. Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo (1868-1913 was the king of the Zulu nation from 20 May 1884 until his death in 1913 In-fighting between the Zulu continued for years, until Zululand was absorbed fully into the Cape Colony.

Apartheid years

The KwaZulu homeland

Main article: KwaZulu

Under apartheid, the homeland of KwaZulu (Kwa meaning place of) was created for Zulu people. KwaZulu was a Bantustan in South Africa, intended by the Apartheid government as a semi-independent homeland for the Zulu people A bantustan or more commonly black african homeland or simply homeland, was territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South-West KwaZulu was a Bantustan in South Africa, intended by the Apartheid government as a semi-independent homeland for the Zulu people In 1970, the Bantu Homeland Citizenship Act provided that all Zulus would become citizens of KwaZulu, losing their South African citizenship. KwaZulu consisted of a large number of disconnected pieces of land, in what is now KwaZulu-Natal. KwaZulu-Natal (kwɑːˌzuːluː nəˈtɑːl often referred to as " KZN " is a province of South Africa. Hundreds of thousands of Zulu people living on privately owned "black spots" outside of KwaZulu were dispossessed and forcibly moved to bantustans - worse land previously reserved for whites contiguous to existing areas of KwaZulu - in the name of "consolidation. A bantustan or more commonly black african homeland or simply homeland, was territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South-West " By 1993, approximately 5. 2 million Zulu people lived in KwaZulu, and approximately 2 million lived in the rest of South Africa. The Chief Minister of KwaZulu, from its creation in 1970 (as Zululand) was Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Leaders of KwaZulu (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office Political Affiliation IFP – Inkatha Freedom Party Inkosi Mangosuthu ("Gatsha" Ashpenaz Nathan Buthelezi (born August 27, 1928) is a South African Zulu leader and leader of the In 1994, KwaZulu was joined with the province of Natal, to form modern KwaZulu-Natal.

Inkatha

Main article: Inkatha Freedom Party

In 1975, Buthelezi revived the Inkatha YaKwaZulu, predecessor of the Inkatha Freedom Party. The Inkatha Freedom Party ( IFP) is a Political party in South Africa. The Inkatha Freedom Party ( IFP) is a Political party in South Africa. This organization was nominally a protest movement against apartheid, but held more conservative views than the ANC. The African National Congress (ANC has been South Africa 's governing party supported by its Tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions For example, Inkatha was opposed to the armed struggle, and to sanctions against South Africa. Inkatha was initially on good terms with the ANC, but the two organizations came into increasing conflict beginning in 1979 in the aftermath of the Soweto Uprising. The Soweto uprising or Soweto Riots were a series of clashes in Soweto, South Africa on June 16 1976 between black youths and the South African

Because its stances were more in accordance with the apartheid government's views, Inkatha was the only mass organization recognized as being representative of the views of black South Africans by the apartheid government (the ANC and other movements were banned). The African National Congress (ANC has been South Africa 's governing party supported by its Tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions In the last years of apartheid, this acceptance extended to the covert provision of funds and guerrilla warfare training to Inkatha by the government.   Yet unlike the leaders of the Transkei, Ciskei, Bophuthatswana and Venda bantustans, Buthelezi never accepted the pseudo-independence offered under the policy of Separate Development, despite strong pressure from the ruling white government. The Transkei —which means "the area beyond the Kei River"—is a region situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Ciskei was a Bantustan in the south east of South Africa. It consisted of two separate blocks of land covering 2970 square miles (7700 km³ almost entirely Bophuthatswana (meaning gathering of the Tswana people) was a Bantustan ("homeland" in the northwest of South Africa. Venda was a Bantustan in northern South Africa, now part of Limpopo province A bantustan or more commonly black african homeland or simply homeland, was territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South-West

Political violence

From 1985, members of opposing protest movements in what is now KwaZulu-Natal began engaging in bloody armed clashes, with combatants armed with AK-47's and machetes. The AK-47 (contraction of Russian Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года; Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda; "Kalashnikov's This political violence occurred primarily between Inkatha and ANC members, and included atrocities committed by both sides. It was believed to be frequently instigated by a branch of the apartheid government's security forces, which became known as the "third force". The violence continued through the 1980s, and escalated in the 1990s in the build up to the first national elections in 1994.

The modern Zulu population

The personal standard of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu adopted in 1999
The personal standard of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu adopted in 1999

The modern Zulu population is fairly evenly distributed in both urban and rural areas. In Heraldry, an heraldic flag is any of several types of Flags containing coats of arms, Heraldic badges or other devices used for personal Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (b 14 July 1948 at Nongoma) is the reigning king of the Zulu nation under the Traditional Leadership Although KwaZulu-Natal is still their heartland, large numbers have been attracted to the relative economic prosperity of Gauteng province. Indeed, Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in the province, followed by Sotho. Zulu (called isiZulu in Zulu is a Language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers the vast majority (over 95% of whom live in South History Should include probable history of the language what form of Bantu it is most closely derived from (the coolest forms! dates of movement of major groups Zulu is also widely spoken in rural and small-town Mpumalanga province.

Zulus also play an important part in South African politics. Mangosuthu Buthelezi served a term as one of two Deputy Presidents in the government of national unity which came into power in 1994, when reduction of civil conflict between ANC and IFP followers was a key national issue. The Deputy President of South Africa is the acting President of South Africa when the President is outside the country's borders unable to fulfill the duties of the office Within the ANC, both the immediate past (Jacob Zuma) and current (Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka) Deputy President of the country have been Zulu, in part to bolster the ANC's claim to be a pan-ethnic national party and refute IFP claims that it was primarily a Xhosa party. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (born 12 April 1942 is a South African politician Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (pʰumziːle mlamboŋǀʱuːkʼa born 3 November 1955 is a South African politician who was Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 The Deputy President of South Africa is the acting President of South Africa when the President is outside the country's borders unable to fulfill the duties of the office See also Xhosa language The Xhosa (ǁʰɔsɑ( people are speakers of Bantu languages living in south-east South Africa, and in the last two

Zulu music

The singing styles of the Zulu people and their Nguni heritage are worthy of special mention. As in much of Africa, music is highly regarded, enabling the communication of emotions and situations which could not be explained by talking. Zulu music incorporates rhythm, melody and harmony — the latter is usually dominant and known as "isigubudu" (which can be translated as converging horns on a beast, with tips touching the animal, a spiralling inward that reflects inner feelings).

Maskanda and Mbaqanga are other Zulu music genres. Maskanda (or maskandi) is a kind of Zulu Folk music that is evolving with South African society Mbaqanga is a style of South African Music with Rural Zulu roots that continues to influence musicians worldwide today Notable Maskandi musicians include Phuzekhemisi and Mfazomnyama.

Zulu music has also been carried worldwide, often by white musicians using Zulu backing singers, or performing songs by Zulu composers. A famous example of the former is Paul Simon. Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13 1941 is an American Songwriter, Musician, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Examples of the latter are the song "Wimoweh" and several tunes on the first non-cassette album by Bow Wow. " The Lion Sleeps Tonight " began as a 1939 African Popular music hit " Mbube " that in modified versions also became a hit in the Shad Gregory Moss (born March 9 1987 better known by his Stage name Bow Wow (previously Lil' Bow Wow) is an American Rapper, actor and In the case of both Bow Wow and to a lesser extent "Wimoweh", the original Zulu musicians went largely unidentified and uncompensated by the white musicians. The song "Wimoweh" is used in the Disney animated film The Lion King; the Zulu language is also sung in the opening song of the film, "Circle of Life". The Lion King is a 1994 American animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, released in theaters on June 15 1994 "Circle of Life" is an Academy Award -nominated song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King, composed by Elton

The famous South African Johnny Clegg also took Zulu music to the world but as an original composer within various genres. Jonathan (Johnny Clegg, born June 7, 1953 in Rochdale (near Manchester) Lancashire, ( UK The internationally successful Zulu group Ladysmith Black Mambazo are among the artists who have made Zulu musical traditions known throughout the world. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal style of Isicathamiya and mbube. After contributing to Paul Simon's Graceland album, they have toured the world with numerous stars and received two Grammy Awards. Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13 1941 is an American Songwriter, Musician, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Graceland is an Album released in 1986 by Paul Simon. It was a big hit in the UK topping the charts at #1 The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

Language

Main article: Zulu language

The language of the Zulu people is Zulu or isiZulu, a Bantu language; more specifically, part of the Nguni subgroup. Zulu (called isiZulu in Zulu is a Language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers the vast majority (over 95% of whom live in South Zulu (called isiZulu in Zulu is a Language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers the vast majority (over 95% of whom live in South The Bantu languages (technically Narrow Bantu languages) constitute a grouping belonging to the Niger-Congo family Zulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, with more than half of the South African population able to understand it (Ethnologue 2005). Many Zulu people also speak English, Portuguese, Shangaan, Sesotho and others from among South Africa's 11 official languages. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. The Tsonga or Xitsonga language is spoken in southern Africa by the Tsonga people also known as the Shangaan. History Should include probable history of the language what form of Bantu it is most closely derived from (the coolest forms! dates of movement of major groups South Africa has 11 Official languages South Africa also recognises eight non-official languages as " National languages quot

Religion

Zulu people can be Christians (whether Roman Catholics or Protestants in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, or part-Christian, part-Traditionalist in Zimbabwe) or pure Traditionalist. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation.

Zulu religion includes belief in a creator God (Nkulunkulu), who is above interacting in day-to-day human affairs. It is possible to appeal to the spirit world only by invoking the ancestors (amaDlozi) through divination processes. As such, the diviner, who is almost always a woman, plays an important part in the daily lives of the Zulu people. It is believed that all bad things, including death, are the result of evil sorcery or offended spirits. No misfortune is ever seen as the result of natural causes. Another important aspect of Zulu religion is cleanliness. Separate utensils and plates were used for different foods, and bathing often occurred up to three times a day. Going barefoot has always been a traditional sign of Zulu spirituality and strength. For people with the name Barefoot see Barefoot (surname Going barefoot (also barefoot ed) means for a person not to use or Christianity had difficulty gaining a foothold among the Zulu people, and when it did it was in a syncretic fashion. Isaiah Shembe, considered the Zulu Messiah, presented a form of Christianity (the Nazareth Baptist Church) which incorporated traditional customs. This article is about the concept of a Messiah in religion notably in the Christian Islamic and Jewish traditions Nazareth Baptist Church (Alternatively called "The Nazarite Church" "amaNazareta" or the "Shembe Church" is an African Initiated Church founded [2]

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ a b c d e South Africa grows to 44.8 million, on the site southafrica.info published for the International Marketing Council of South Africa, dated 9 July 2003, retrieved 4 March 2005.
  2. ^ Art & Life in Africa Online - Zulu. University of Iowa. Retrieved on 2007-06-06. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year

Dictionary

Zulu

-adjective

  1. Pertaining to the Zulu people, culture, or language.

-noun

  1. An individual member of the Zulu people.
  2. The letter Z in the ICAO spelling alphabet
  3. A designation for time along the prime meridian; UTC.

-proper noun

  1. An African ethnic group living mainly in the KwaZulu-Natal Province in eastern South Africa.
  2. The language of these people, a Bantu language; isiZulu.
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