Oftentimes women have to leave early in the morning and only come back home late in the afternoon. The cutting of trees and bushes has resulted in the depletion of many forests in rural areas. Women usually go to the forest in the groups of two or three in order to keep each other company but also to protect each other from wild animals that may harm them. Fetching Water Women usually walk long distances in search of water. They often carry steel buckets, clay pots, or plastic containers.
Most women master the art of carrying the water container without hand support at a very early age.
There are rural areas that have water taps, but many places still use natural spring water, in which frogs and crabs are commonly seen moving freely. The women use the water for many purposes, such as for cleaning, cooking, drinking, bathing, and for irrigation. Cooking In Zulu culture, cooking is the domain of women. Some Zulu men would rather stay hungry than touch a pot to cook a meal. This habit develops as a result of socialization that teaches men at an early age that the mothers and sisters are supposed to cook for them.