New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-23
ZULU CUSTOMS.
Weu Defined Laos Seemingly OF
Semitic Origin.
NJ c.ptasn A. II. Bleksley'

ser the immediate o"i-'I"' "a .
-, Is responsible 70 his superior iO' NIe 49,
.a,sYct morally and pohHca"y oi e'e's
c.. .,r,r,.unity over the headsman. whose
o. - NAV, often extend 10 more than one
= tbe disir1c; induna (chieftain). who
N~- a. ,urn is directly responsible (and actu-
AZ "a so, 20 the paramount chief, who pos
a. -,,,ers u life and death. and in spite OF
-, ,lrt-ol more frequently exercised tiaA
.,5 often relegated 10 the indUna OF DIS
- THIS same feudal system facilitates tle
.trizsti5u Of tho Zulu army. and makes IL inc
-.-,ri6able power il IS. for In spite OF me as
,.,rrsrs OF an influenced press the Zu4u Illi''''s
'.-rarizatiou is by no means dormant ana IT,
native leaves Tor The mines or otAeI
:. ,rsystry who does not know 70 what ii-f1 -
!. s.-a. H,l. or the particular induna ne "ou.I
ne 10 serve ia event ~ call 10 arms ~ '
rarsm0ua, chief
Duizuu. like his father. soon came TO 80
y-.vs with The British. and he, TOO "as Do
,s6ss 10 ST. Helena. and released ohls ~
- and has resumed c0ntro! Of his u'pes'
~, unlike lis father vas received WIN 49,
80. ty las people ana now AIihei a.
- shan ever DE sits sphin1hke ak ms
- t,asl apparently uuc0ncerned alike .! '"9
--.-..,,ss az his fellow native chiefs OF l-e
,-.,.7.srr.,f.rs OF British officials quietly ao'a-
= ,.,s dime bat al The while steadily coiso--
,4e-i4..y and strengthening hls position
r-,5.- sueb "a regime aud pracucaiy We
,-gs,..zsa control g is NOT surprising 'Ha' ~
z-lus have a code % definite and wen "''''--N
I.,es obI,h. II uuvrlt,en, are soAcly yaseu GA
s-c.ert customs and traditions ana IS -''' 4''~
lie As those Of the Ale5os ana FeIslaiS' anu CO.
ius-aet.rn OF infringement OF which lAes d
uartlcuar.y jealous Of. among these are "I -
,rats but systematic law az heritage I4'-i--''
rtrsoual estate. chiefly consisting o. GU -
lands being held Do community, me coi
az succession arising from The Iracuce az Pee
amy. tha fixing ol responsibility on d A''-o' -
theft OF crimes against property OF p.iS'- -
1.itted ey ANY 0i ITS members, ana me "''-
uarishmeul eventually OF the culpI-' Il 0-ts-T
and last but nor least. The custom "a -o''
or purchase or barter Of ths uilue -io-- '0'
ono or Guardian against O. price recognized .!
law. with careful restrictions ana --4--'''--' 80
,5e eyeUt Of failure 10 cousummate the marriage
barrenness. iaade.ity, or divorce on any Oh '''0
legal grounds permitted by custom.
ON the intricate law OF Iouo.a are o&se1 many
Of The customs and usaEes II The tribe II Is
arluIy binding on the contracting Iar'les' Ie-os-
uized by tie British government, and It's pro-
visions may De enforced either In The native
tribunals or the white courts Of the protectoraIe ;
In The event OF Zulu wishing 10 marry ne :
tbrough q friend. approaches TIE father or guar I
dian II the danlsel OF his choice and ascertalhs
what value thar worthy sets upon the charms or
accomplishments az The lady whose wishes Ia
tbe matter are seldom consulted, and bargain
ing then sets IN that would shame TWO Port said
Ieyautiuos Terms having been agreed upon.
generally IN the shape ~ So many head Of cattle.
e--or5irr ro the wealth Of the bridegroom and
Standing or beauty. etc, Il the bride but never
less than eleven head # cattle fheir equivalent
value thar being the lowest legal limit one !
miro II the CONTRACT price Is sent 10 the father
o. the prospective bride ly her sutton. who then
fgr the first time personally appears on the
scene The guardian returns white OK IN
token o. acceptance OF the bargain, the bride is
informed ana the hetr0thal is complete ON the 1
Lay SCI apart tpr the wedding the balance OF the
barter price loho.al Is sent 20 the parent VINO 4
again ratihes The bargain ana lle bride, deco /
rated for the occasion and attended by her ]
women friends. l- visited lD state lA Der pro-
sQe--lve husband. her father. placing her hands /
il that OF the man. ackuoW Lodges his receipt OF
Lle l0D0a, and declares iu front OF all present
his consent 10 rIe marriage of his daughter.
Tie bridegroom la same manner accepts her
d. mont ~ IN" community az MS 4dNIul Nlles
and the legal ceremony l- complete, though The
wedding is kept uu with teastng ana merry
making often lasting for days, according 10 the
wealth and rank .- rl, husband
There are many conditions. however. under
which TIE husband may WITHIN "A year ana a Gay
a. OF 3 'll."n "i INC l.ho.a ana inns lrttls -
many disputes and lawsuits. all, however, OF
which az, decided ly am infeNible custom from
time luueunrla-
Poygamy .s almost universally practised, and
any interference would inevitably be resented 10y
force ~ arms, and terrible war be the result
There ls no restraint 10 the number Of wives
= 4-@L may nave, save only ms power OF ulGlLg
me requisite lal1la but DE is. however, bound
p} law % maintain separate establishment
Tor each spouse and beer offspring. AS this con-
house often built ly the woman herself, II pre-
SENS n9 serious obstacle. two 10 three are,
however, me general number. except among the
more wealthy, while many periorce content
themselves with 0.e partner
me more married. however. The greater tho
wealth. Of the Zulu. Tor The women TIL the lands,
SOW ana reap the maize, gather the fuel and,
assisted by The younger members 81 the house
LA1 CD al. tle hard work OF the family. where
elesh'ly works aUt father the men consider
IA sl.l mental work beneath their dignity as
L-ll'n ot warriors, and content themselves
WIN tending tle cattle conducting the affairs
o. ne tribe, for the Zulu is q born politician.
ela SPENDS his time in gossip and drinking
u'a.a ga native beer. content with his lOt nor
eeilAg i1r The morrow. This pOygamous Gus
~ causes ne cearth Il labor and all Its at
$3.50 .i'-l4es IA south Africa In a genial
C,n!ale ne Lu!Us wants are few; he needs no
S4l.es, MS land ard cattle, titled and tended
y AIS wives supply all his requirements The
ms III land whore game abounds. affords
recreation and food. Why. therefore, should he
Wa az az unless compelled 20 ma money 10
- ~r injurious hui tax imposed by the
--el white Why should they come with their
i--ss police O. worry him, even II he IS en-
E'L IN little playful pastime Of burning
Ls e..lais EaG. ur loOting a white settlers
-. Why nor arise and drive the white man
- me sea- They are but a handful and
rs--g and killing are a Zulu's pastime and
S--sse since Tie glorious days Of Chaka- 50
ss-s ne Zulu. and the whites gird themselves
- coming fray and wonder when.
El-ls !D tleir pristine state are as class
rrrI~ -. honest. honorable and brave though
DIRT n ~
40 and loyal 70 their chiefs, while the
es-,i.- are KIND hearted. good mothers. and eN-
w. 10y moral; iu spite u the plurality OF
49,. Uey agree well among themselves, do
D. 80 WORK uncomplainingly, and seem 10
uras.'s-N hearted, happy sci. and most pct
tie &c ana pleasing sight IL IS 20 see The ma
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