South Africa's population Languages AT A GLANCE According to the Census 2011 data from Statistics South Africa, in 2011 the country’s population was 51 770 560, of which 26 581 769 (51.3%) were female and 25 188 791 (48.7%) were male. Africans are in the majority at just over 41-million, making up 79.2% of the total population. The coloured population is 4 615 401 (8.9%), while there are 4 586 838 (8.9%) whites. The Indian/Asian population stands at 1 286 930 (2.5%). In 2011, “other” was included in the Census, and accounts for 280 454 or 0.5% of the total.

SA’s POPULATION: CENSUS 2011 Population group Source: Statistics South Africa There have been three official censuses since South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, the first in 1996, the second in 2001, and the third conducted in October 2011. The population in 1996 was 40.6-million, increasing by 10.4% to 44.8-million in 2001. The population grew by 15.5%, or almost 7-million people, in the space of 10 years to reach a total of 51.7-million in 2011. BY PROVINCE The provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal account for 42% of South Africa’s population, with Gauteng taking top spot as the most populous province from KwaZulu-Natal: 12.3 million people (23,7%) live in Gauteng, while 10.3 million (19.8%) live in KwaZulu-Natal.

They are followed by the Eastern Cape with 6.56-million (12.7%), the Western Cape with 5.82-million (11.3%), Limpopo with 5.4-million (10.4%), Mpumalanga with 4.04-million (7.8%), North West with 3.51- million (6.8%), and Free State with 2.75-million (5.3%). Although the Northern Cape is the largest province, at almost a third of South Africa’s land area, it is an arid region with the smallest population – only 1.15-million people, or 2.2% of the total. POPULATION BY PROVINCE 2011 Source: Statistics South Africa Comparing the three sets of census data, the provincial share of the total population has fallen in the Eastern Cape (from 15.1% in 1996 to 12.7% in 2011). The fastest growing province is the Western Cape, growing by 29% between 2006 and 2011.

Gauteng’s population grew by 31% to 12.8-million people by 2011, up from 9.4- million a decade ago. Around 1-million people have moved to Gauteng in the past decade, highlighting the flow of people from rural to urban areas. Only 56% of people living in Gauteng today were born there. POPULATION GROUPS The African population is made up of four broad groupings: The Nguni, comprising the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi people The Sotho-Tswana, who include the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana people) The Tsonga The Venda White South Africans include: Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch, German and French Huguenot who came to the country from the 17th century onwards. English-speakers, descendants of settlers from the British Isles who came to the country from the late 18th century onwards. Immigrants and descendents of immigrants from the rest of Europe, including Greeks, Portuguese, Eastern European Jews, Hungarians and Germans.

“Coloured” South Africans (the label is contentious) are a people of mixed lineage descended from slaves brought to the country from east and central Africa, the indigenous Khoisan who lived in the Cape at the time, indigenous Africans and whites. The majority speak Afrikaans. Khoisan is a term used to describe two separate groups, physically similar in being light-skinned and small in stature. The Khoi, who were called Hottentots by the Europeans, were pastoralists and were effectively annihilated; the San, called Bushmen by the Europeans, were hunter-gatherers. A small San population still lives in South Africa. The majority of South Africa’s Asian population is Indian in origin, many of them descended from indentured workers brought to work on the sugar plantations of what was then Natal in the 19th century. They are largely English-speaking, although many also retain the languages of their origins. There is also a significant group of Chinese South Africans. LANGUAGES South Africa is a multilingual country. Its new democratic constitution, which came into effect on 4 February 1997, recognises 11 official languages, to which it guarantees equal status.

These are: Afrikaans Tshivenda Xitsonga Besides the official languages, scores of others – African, European, Asian and more – are spoken in South Africa, as the country lies at the crossroads of southern Africa. According to the 2011 census, isiZulu is the most common home language is, spoken by just over 20% of the population. It is followed by isiXhosa at 16%, Afrikaans at 13.5%. and English and Setswana each at 8.2%. The number of people who speak English as a first language has increased by more than 1-million, to 4.9-million people, or 9.6% of the population. Sepedi is the home language of 9.1% of South Africans, followed by Setswana at 8%, Sesotho at 7.6%, and Xitsonga at 4.5%. SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES – 2011 * Spoken as a home language ** Unspecified and not applicable excluded Source: Statistics SA Most South Africans are multilingual, able to speak more than one language.

English- and Afrikaans-speaking people tend not to have much ability in indigenous languages, but are fairly fluent in each other’s language. A large number of South Africans speak English, which is ubiquitous in official and commercial public life. The country’s other lingua franca is isiZulu. SouthAfrica.info reporter and MediaClubSouthAfrica.com – get free high-resolution photos and professional feature articles from Brand South Africa’s media service. Updated October 2015 Would you like to use this article in your publication or on your website? See: Using SAinfo material TAGS Who Are The Zulu People, and Where Do They Live? - WorldAtlas.com Who Are The Zulu People, and Where Do They Live? The Zulus are an ethnic Bantu people that can be found living across much of southern Africa. Cheap Zulu labor, such as these diamond miners in 1885, was often exploited by Europeans after they arrived in southern Africa en masse in the 19th Century. 5. Early History and Migrations The Zulus are a Bantu ethnic group living in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

These Nguni-speaking people, with close ties to the Swazi and Xhosa peoples, are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. The ancestors of the Ngunis (the ancestors of modern day Zulus) were the Bantu-speaking peoples who migrated along the east coast of Africa to reach what is now South Africa in the 9th Century AD. The Zulu warrior Shaka Zulu is credited for uniting the Zulus into a single kingdom in the early 19th Century, around the same time that European Colonial presence was growing in the region. 4. Language, Religion, and Music “IsiZulu”, a Bantu language spoken by the Ngunis, is the traditional language of the Zulus. It is also the most widely spoken language in South Africa. Besides isiZulu, many of the modern Zulus also speak other official languages of South Africa, including English, Afrikaans, and Portuguese. Due to European influences, many Zulus of the present day are Christians, including both Catholics and Protestants. However, traditional Zulu religions, based on animal and nature worship and high regards for one's ancestors, is also practiced by certain sections of the Zulu population still today.

Some of the traditional gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures of the Zulu religion are Unkulunkulu (the highest God), Mamlambo (the goddess of rivers), Nokhubulwane (the goddess of agriculture, rain, and rainbows) and Unwabu (a chameleon with powers to grant immortality). Sleeping on beds raised on bricks is another unique Zulu tradition, which is done to fend off the Tokoloshe, a mischievous mythical creature with the power to kill people. Zulus also like to stay clean, using different vessels for different dishes and bathing up to three times a day. They also highly regard nature and natural objects, and believe misfortune befalls only as a result of offended spirits or acts of evil sorcery. Zulus also love music, and use it as a way to express deep feelings and emotions. Mbube music is Zulu vocal music, usually sang by men in choir groups in a loud and powerful manner. In contrast, Isicathamiya is a softer version of Zulu music, again sang traditionally by Zulu men.

Today, Zulu music is not limited to the boundaries of Africa, and Western musicians like Paul Simon (once part of Simon and Garfunkel) have often used Zulu music as an inspiration to create new musical content. The song “Wimowh”, used in the Disney animation film “The Lion King”, had its own Zulu musical connections. 3. Traditional Cuisine, Homes, and Ways of Life The traditional cuisine of the Zulus involves high levels of meat and dairy, reminders of the prosperous past of Zulu nations. Meat is usually cooked on open fires, and served with spicy vegetable dishes known as chakalaka. Milk is drunk sour in the form of amasi. The fermented porridge Isibhede and the non-fermented porridge, phutu, are both common in Zulu cuisine. Among beverages, the non-intoxicating Amahewu and the alcoholic utywala are Zulu favorites. Traditional Zulu houses are fairly basic structures, built manually using mud, leaves, branches, and tree poles. The houses are usually shaped like a round beehive known as an iQukwane.

The traditional Zulu clans have a highly organized hierarchy, with a genealogically senior man as the chief of the clan. He wields his power through several headmen, who control distinct sections of the clan. Young boys are trained from childhood in the art of fighting and defending the clan. While men handle external matters, Zulu women’s lives are traditionally restricted to performing household chores and caring for the children and elderly. Childless women are often frowned upon, and lose the status of a wife. The elderly are always treated with care and respect, and share homes with their sons. 2. Tribal Wars and European Contact In the late 19th Century, Zululand was ruled by King Cetshwayo, who ascended to the throne in 1872 after his father’s death. However, he soon faced trouble from the invading British forces who delivered an ultimatum to his 11 chiefs in 1878. When Cetshwayo refused to surrender to the British demands, war broke out between the native and foreign powers, which finally ended in a Zulu defeat at the Battle of Ulundi on July 4th, 1879.

After Cetshwayo’s capture, Zululand was divided into several smaller kingdoms by the British. In the later years, though the British reinstated Cetshwayo as king once again, it was the British who held the ultimate power over Zululand. After Cetshwayo’s death, his son Dinuzulu came to power. However, Dinuzulu’s ambitious nature soon alarmed the British, who charged him with treason and imprisoned him for several years. His son, Solomon kaDinuzulu, was never recognized as king by the South African authorities. With the end of the Zulu Kingdom, the Zulus now became second-rate citizens in their own homelands, and faced years of discrimination under the infamous apartheid movement of legalized racial segregation in South Africa, enforced by the governing National Party in the country between 1948 and 1994. They were forced to migrate to small pockets of land in a designated area for establishing their settlements, which came to be known as the KwaZulu-Natal province. Only after much opposition and criticism by global organizations, people, and foreign governments did the Apartheid movement finally come to an end in 1994.

Thereafter, multi-racial, democratic elections witnessed the the victory of Nelson Mandela, a Xhosa Thembu South African and an anti-apartheid South African revolutionary, as the country's new President. 1. The Zulu of Today Today, around 9 million Zulu-speaking peoples inhabit South Africa. Even though the KwaZulu-Natal region remains to be the Zulu heartland, these people have also migrated to other provinces in the country with greater economic prospects, especially the Guateng province of South Africa. Currently, Zulus are fairly uniformly distributed in both urban and rural settlements across the country, and enjoy the freedom to choose their own way of life. Following the end of the apartheid movement, the Zulus became an important political force in the country, even establishing their own political parties, including the Inkatha Freedom Party. The Zulus of today continue to play an extremely significant role in defining South Africa’s national identity, politics, traditions, and cultures. This page was last modified on June 6, 2016.

On WorldAtlas.com Zulu - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage Zulu LOCATION: KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa POPULATION: 9.2 million RELIGION: Mixture of traditional beliefs and Christianity 1 • INTRODUCTION For many people, the Zulu are the best-known African people. Their military exploits led to the rise of a great kingdom that was feared for a long time over much of the African continent. The Zulu are the descendants of Nguni-speaking people. Their written history can be traced back to the fourteenth century. In the early nineteenth century a young Zulu prince, Shaka, came onto the scene and welded most of the Nguni tribes into the powerful Zulu Kingdom. Shaka ruled from 1816 to 1828, when he was assassinated by his brothers. During his reign, Shaka recruited young men from all over the kingdom and trained them in his own novel warrior tactics. After defeating competing armies and assimilating their people, Shaka established his Zulu nation. Within twelve years, he had forged one of the mightiest empires the African continent has ever known.

However, during the late 1800s, British troops invaded Zulu territory and divided the Zulu land into thirteen chiefdoms. The Zulu never regained their independence. Throughout the mid-1900s they were dominated by different white governments, first the British and later on, the Afrikaner. The Zulu have endeavored to regain a measure of political autonomy, both before South Africa's first democratic election in 1994 and in the subsequent period to the present. They have been unsuccessful, however, with both governments. 2 • LOCATION The 9 million Zulu-speaking people live mainly in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Some are also scattered throughout the other provinces. KwaZulu-Natal borders on Mozambique in the north, Eastern Cape in the south, the Indian Ocean in the east, and Lesotho in the west. The capital city is Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal is semi-fertile with a flat coastal plain, highlands to the west, and numerous rivers and streams. The subtropical climate brings lots of sunshine and brief, intense rain showers.

While many Zulu still live in traditionally structured rural communities, others have migrated to urban areas. However, links between urban and rural residents remain strong. A mixture of traditional and Western ways of life is clearly evident in the lives of almost all Zulu people. 3 • LANGUAGE The dominant language in South Africa is isiZulu. In KwaZulu-Natal, the most frequently spoken languages are Zulu and English. Zulu is idiomatic and proverbial and is characterized by many clicks. The Zulu language is characterized by hlonipha (respect) terms. Addressing those who are older than oneself, especially elderly and senior people, by their first names is viewed as lack of respect. Therefore terms like baba (father) and mama (mother) are used not only to address one's parents but also other senior males and females of the community. 4 • FOLKLORE Among the Zulu, the belief in ancestral spirits ( amadlozi or abaphansi ) has always been strong. These are the spirits of the dead. The Zulus recognize the existence of a supreme being. UMvelinqangi (One Who Came First) or uNkulunkulu (Very Big One) is God because he appeared first.

This supreme being is far removed from the lives of the people and has never been seen by anyone. No ceremonies are, therefore, ever performed for uMvelinqangi. Zulu people believe that the spirits of the dead mediate between uMvelinqangi and the people on earth. Zulus believe in a long life that continues after death. Getting old is seen as a blessing. This is based on the myth that long ago people did not die but rather lived for years. The Creator did not think that people should die. He, therefore, called a chameleon and said, "Chameleon, I am sending you to the people. Go and tell them that they are not to die." Although the chameleon was very slow, the Creator did not mind. He waited for the reply. However, after walking a long distance, the chameleon saw wild berries and decided to stop and eat them. It told itself that the Creator would not see it. Unfortunately, the Creator saw it and became very angry. He called a lizard, which came swiftly. The Creator told the lizard to go and tell the people that they are to die. The lizard sped off, passed the chameleon on the way, and delivered the message to the people.

After a long time, the chameleon appeared, breathing heavily, and delivered its message. The people were very angry and said to it, "Why did you waste time? We have already received the lizard's message!" Thus, growing old among the Zulu is seen as a special privilege from the Creator. Elderly people are believed to be sacred, and are thus are always respected. 5 • RELIGION Ancestral spirits are important in Zulu religious life. Offerings and sacrifices are made to the ancestors for protection, good health, and happiness. Ancestral spirits come back to the world in the form of dreams, illnesses, and sometimes snakes. The Zulu also believe in the use of magic. Anything beyond their understanding, such as bad luck and illness, is considered to be sent by an angry spirit. When this happens, the help of a diviner (soothsayer) or herbalist is sought. He or she will communicate with the ancestors or use natural herbs and prayers to get rid of the problem. Many Zulu converted to Christianity under colonialism. Although there are many Christian converts, ancestral beliefs have far from disappeared. Instead, there has been a mixture of traditional beliefs and Christianity.

This kind of religion is particularly common among urbanites. There are also fervent Christians who view ancestral belief as outdated and sinful. 6 • MAJOR HOLIDAYS The Zulu recognize the national holidays of the Republic of South Africa. In addition, they celebrate Shaka's Day every year in September. This holiday is marked by celebrations and slaughtering cattle to commemorate the founder of the Zulu Kingdom. On this important day, Zulu people wear their full traditional attire (clothing and weapons) and gather at Shaka's tombstone, kwaDukuza in Stanger. This is a very colorful day attended by both national and international dignitaries who represent their governments. Izimbongi (praise-poets) sing the praises of all the Zulu kings, from Shaka to the present king, Zwelithini. 7 • RITES OF PASSAGE Among the Zulu, birth, puberty, marriage, and death are all celebrated and marked by the slaughter of sacrificial animals to ancestors. Birth and puberty are particularly celebrated. To Zulu traditionalists, childlessness and giving birth to girls only are the greatest of all misfortunes. No marriage is permanent until a child, especially a boy, is born.

The puberty ceremony (umemulo) is a transition to full adulthood. Nowadays it is performed only for girls. It involves separation from other people for a period to mark the changing status from youth to adulthood. This is followed by "reincorporation," characterized by ritual killing of animals, dancing, and feasting. After the ceremony, the girl is declared ready for marriage. The courting days then begin. The girl may take the first step by sending a "love letter" to a young man who appeals to her. Zulu love letters are made of beads. Different colors have different meanings, and certain combinations carry particular messages. Dating occurs when a young man visits or writes a letter to a woman telling her how much he loves her. Once a woman decides that she loves this man, she can tell him so. It is only after they have both agreed that they love each other that they may be seen together in public. Parents should become aware of the relationship only when the man informs them that he wants to marry their daughter. 8 • RELATIONSHIPS In contrast to their known warriorism, the Zulu are very warm and amicable people at a personal level.

Ubuntu (literally, "humanness," "good moral nature," "good disposition") shapes the everyday life of the Zulu people. This comes from a notion that a human being is the highest of all species. There are hundreds of proverbs written about ubuntu. These proverbs relate to the treatment of people, good and bad behavior, pride, ingratitude, bad manners, moral degeneracy, conceit, cruelty, obstinacy, pretense, helping others, and so forth. Sawubona is usually enough of a greeting for strangers, but a formal greeting is more appropriate for those who are familiar. The formal greeting includes a three-times handshake, while asking about the well-being of the person and his or her relations (Ninjani?) . Taking leave involves the standard Sala/Nisale kahle (Remain well), and the other person responds by saying, Uhambe/Nihambe kahle (Go well). It is customary for juniors and the young to initiate the greetings when they meet their seniors and their elders. 9 • LIVING CONDITIONS In South Africa, living conditions cannot be divorced from local politics. Conditions for the Zulu are similar to those of other black people.

Zulu in most of the rural areas do not have adequate basic services such as electricity, clean water, formal housing, transport, hospitals, or clinics. Urban Zulu live in the so-called black townships and the areas fringing industrial cities. Their living conditions are, at least, better than those in rural areas. They constitute the Zulu middle class; their lifestyle is usually no different from that of other Western urbanites. Since the education available in rural black schools is inferior, the people in these areas are not equipped to migrate and seek a better life in the urban areas. If they migrate, most end up in the poor areas fringing cities. In the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, a typical Zulu homestead will be circular and fenced, with a thatched-roof house. 10 • FAMILY LIFE The Zulu term for "family" (umndeni) includes all the people staying in a homestead who are related to each other, either by blood, marriage, or adoption. Most rural households comprise extended families, brothers with their wives, unmarried sisters, children, parents, and grandparents all staying together in the same homestead.

As a sign of respect, parents and elders are not called by their first names; instead, kinship names (surnames) are used. The Zulu family is patriarchal; a man is both the head of the family and the figure of authority. It is not unusual for young men to have as many girlfriends as they wish. If they can afford it, they can take more than one wife when they decide to get married. Traditionally, women were not supposed to go out and work, since they were a man's responsibility. Nowadays the status of Zulu women is slowly improving with more women receiving an education. Marriage is exogamous; marriage to any person belonging to one's father's, mother's, father's mother's, and mother's mother's clan is prohibited. If it happens, the ukudabula (literally, "cutting of the blood relationship") ritual is performed. 11 • CLOTHING Today, the everyday clothing of a Zulu is no different from that of any modern urbanite. Traditional clothing, however, is very colorful. Men, women, and children wear beads as accessories.

Men wear amabheshu , made of goat or cattle skin, which looks like a waist apron, worn at the back. They decorate their heads with feathers and fur. Men also wear frilly goatskin bands on their arms and legs. Women wear isidwaba , a traditional Zulu black skirt made of goat or cattle skin. If a woman is not married, she may wear only strings of beads to cover the top part of the body. If she is married, she will wear a T-shirt. Zulu only wear their traditional clothes on special occasions, such as Shaka's Day and cultural gatherings. 12 • FOOD The rural Zulu economy is based on cattle and agriculture. Consequently, the main staple diet consists of cow and agricultural products. This includes barbecued and boiled meat; amasi (curdled milk), mixed with dry, ground corn or dry, cooked mealie-meal (corn flour); amadumbe (yams); vegetables; and fruits. The Zulu traditional beer is not only a staple food but a considerable source of nutrition. It is also socially and ritually important and is drunk on all significant occasions. Drinking and eating from the same plate was and still is a sign of friendship.

It is customary for children to eat from the same dish, usually a big basin. This derives from a "share what you have" belief which is part of ubuntu (humane) philosophy. 13 • EDUCATION Illiteracy (inability to read and write) is high among most black South Africans. However, education is slowly improving with the new government. Before, children went to school only if their parents could afford to send them. Schooling started at seven years of age and continued until about twenty-four years of age. Since education was not compulsory, pupils could take their time to finish matric (high school). Passing matriculation (graduating) was and still is regarded as a high achievement by the whole community. After matriculation, those parents who can afford it usually send their children to college. Education and raising a child is like a cycle among the Zulu. Parents spend all they have to raise and educate their children. In turn, the children take care of their parents and their own children when they start working. A person who breaks this cycle is viewed as a community outcast, one who has forgotten about his or her roots.

14 • CULTURAL HERITAGE The Zulu are fond of singing as well as dancing. These activities promote unity at all the transitional ceremonies such as births, weddings, and funerals. All the dances are accompanied by drums. The men dress as warriors, wave their clubs, and thrust their cowhide shields forward. Zulu folklore is transmitted through storytelling, praise-poems, and proverbs. These explain Zulu history and teach moral lessons. Praise-poems (poems recited about the kings and the high achievers in life) are becoming part of popular culture. 15 • EMPLOYMENT In the past, only able-bodied men were supposed to work. Before the 1970s, especially in rural areas, being able to send a written letter and get a reply meant that a young boy was ready to go and look for work. Now Zulus want to complete their high school education. In the mind of the Zulu, work should benefit either one's parents or children and siblings. The first salary (or the bigger portion), therefore, is usually given to parents in return for blessings. 16 • SPORTS Soccer is very popular for both young boys and men. Children learn the game by watching their older brothers play.

Whenever boys are together and not engaged in some household or school activity, they play soccer. Young boys, especially those who live next to big rivers, also compete in swimming. Girls, if they are not at school, are expected to assist their mothers in the house. However, they can play games once they have finished their chores. One popular game played by girls, especially in rural KwaZulu, is masishayana/maphakathi. Two girls stand opposite each other, usually not more than 165 feet (50 meters) apart. Another girl stands between them, facing the one who is holding a tennis ball. The idea of this game is to try to hit the girl standing in the middle while she tries to avoid being hit. If the ball hits her or touches her clothes, she is out. Being able to avoid being hit ten times earns the girl a point. Having the most points means winning a game and becoming the best player in your circle of friends. One sport which is participated in by both girls and boys is track and field, an organized school sport. 17 • RECREATION Ritual ceremonies also serve as part of the entertainment and recreation for the whole community.

Zulu custom does not mandate formal invitations to gatherings where food will be served, such as weddings and birthday parties. The Zulu believe that food should be shared. Therefore, uninvited arrival at a celebration is an honor to the host. These celebrations include singing and dancing. Television is very popular among urban Zulu households. Owning a television set is a luxury for rural Zulu since very few rural areas have electricity. Those who can afford to go to the movies do so. For urban teenagers, American youth culture, especially clothing and music, is very popular. Among adults, stokvels (voluntary or common-interest associations) provide financial assistance, friendship, and recreation. 18 • CRAFTS AND HOBBIES The Zulu, especially those from rural areas, are known for their weaving, craftmaking, pottery, and beadwork. Women and children weave everyday-use mats, beer sieves, and baskets for domestic purposes. They also make calabashes (decorated gourds used as utensils). Men and boys carve various household objects and ornaments from wood and bone. These include headrests, trays, scrapers, household utensils, and chairs.

Beadmaking is mainly women's work because beads are believed to be a way of sending messages without being direct. 19 • SOCIAL PROBLEMS The Zulu terms ubuntu and hlonipha summarize everything about human rights. However, it is evident that some individuals in Zulu society, particularly women and children, enjoy fewer human rights than others. 20 • BIBLIOGRAPHY Zulu Tribe of South Africa | African Tribes and People Zulu Tribe of South Africa. Location: Kwazulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Population: 3.2 million. Language: Kwazulu (Nguni). Neighbouring Peoples: Sotho, Tswana, Xhosa, San . Types of Art: The Zulu are best known for their beadwork and basketry. There have also been some figural sculpture questionably attributed to them. Zulu architecture is quite complex, and the dress or fashion of the Zulu has been carefully studied. History: The AmaZulu believe that they are the direct descendants of the patriarch Zulu, who was born to a Nguni chief in the Congo Basin area .

In the 16th century, the Zulu migrated southward to their present location in South Africa (Natal Province) , incorporating many of the customs of the San, including the well-known linguistic clicking sounds of the region. During the reign of King Shaka (1816-1828), the Zulu became the mightiest military force in southern Africa, increasing their land holdings from 100 square miles to 11,500. Shaka was followed by Dingaan, who tentatively entered into treaties with English colonizers. Mpande was the next King. He allowed the British extensive control over his peoples. By the time he died in 1872, the Zulu had enough of the English invasion. Cetewayo, who replaced Mpande, tried vainly for six years to avoid a confrontation with the British, yet in 1879 war erupted. Although the Zulu initially experienced some success, the British army eventually prevailed. In less than six months, Cetewayo was exiled to England, and the Zulu kingdom was divided to the British advantage.

The last Zulu uprising against European domination was lead by Chief Bombatha in 1906 with no success. In recent times, Chief Buthelezi has doubled as the political leader of the Zulu, and the head of the Inkatha Freedom Party, leading the fight against Apartheid and the ANC, demanding a voice for his people who are more than three million strong. After 1994 this has change, as corruption and weak leadership has basically turned the IFP into a weak regional opposition. Economy: Rural Zulu raise cattle and farm corn and vegetables for subsistence purposes. The men and herd boys are primarily responsible for the cows, which are grazed in the open country, while the women do most, if not all, of the planting and harvesting. The women also are the owners of the family house and have considerable economic clout within the family. In the urban areas of South Africa, Zulu, and in fact all Africans, was limited to labour intensive work and domestic duties, unless they go to the cities for education and work. Tourism: The private sector and government has realized, that the development of tourism is a important tool for creating jobs, and to bring instant foreign capital into the country.

South Africa has become a very well known African safari and travel destination in Africa. Political Systems: As is evident by the history of the Zulu, the leader, or chief, is invested with power based on his genealogy. He plays an important part in the internal governing of the Zulu homeland and also acts as a voice for his people on an national level. Although the Zulu are officially ruled by the government of South Africa, they often act as a dissenting voice on the national scene. Even as Apartheid as an institution is beginning to crumble by 1994, and having extreme "Black Economic Empowerment" and 'anti-white' policies re-placed the old "Apartheid", the country is still entrenched in de facto racism (black racism / tribalism), now even more (2015), then during the Apartheid years. An high crime rate, weak corrupt government combined with black racism, has replaced Apartheid after 1994. With the death of Nelson Mandela, the the ANC-government has basically undone all his visionary work for South Africa. The current President, Jacob Zuma, is in the process of trying to turn South Africa into an one-party dictator state.

Religion: 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. 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. Christianity had difficulty gaining a foothold among the Zulu, and when it did it was in a symbiotic fashion. Isaiah Shambe, considered the Zulu messiah, presented a form of Christianity which incorporated traditional customs. Credits : Prof. Christopher D. Roy also see credit page. Professor of the History of Art. The University of Iowa.

Zululand | historical region, South Africa | Britannica.com historical region, South Africa South Africa Zululand, traditional region in the northeastern section of present-day KwaZulu-Natal (formerly Natal ) province, South Africa . It is the home of the Zulu people and site of their 19th-century kingdom. The Zulu, a Nguni people, initially were a small chieftaincy situated near the White Mfolozi River, but they provided the nucleus for the amalgamations of regional chieftaincies into a Zulu kingdom during the 1810s and early 1820s. The nearby Mthethwa confederacy, under its leader, Dingiswayo (reigned 1809–17), had established close links with the Zulu.

On Dingiswayo’s death, the Zulu leader Shaka (reigned 1816–28) established his people’s dominance over their neighbours and, using a well-disciplined and efficient fighting force, expanded the kingdom’s area of control from roughly the Mzimkhulu River in the north to the Tugela River in the south and from the Drakensberg mountains eastward to the coast. Under Shaka, a system of fortified settlements known as amakhanda were established, and young men were drafted into amabutho ( age sets or regiments; an organizational tactic Shaka learned while serving in the Mthethwa military under Dingiswayo) to defend against raiders and provide protection for refugees. Shaka, lithograph by W. Bagg, 1836. Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum; photograph, J.R. Freeman & Co. Ltd. Shaka was assassinated in 1828 and was succeeded by his half brother, Dingane (reigned 1828–40).

During Dingane’s reign, the Zulu kingdom was penetrated by the British as well as the Boers (see Great Trek ), who had formed an alliance with his brother, Mpande . Dingane was deposed by Mpande in 1840 and later killed. Under Mpande (reigned 1840–72) portions of the Zulu territory were taken over by the Boers and by the British, who had moved into the neighbouring Natal region in 1838. The Boers seized the bulk of the Zulu kingdom south of the Black Mfolozi, but they were compelled to return the main region between the Black Mfolozi and the Tugela to the Zulu after the British annexed Natal in 1843. Similar Topics Dust Bowl Mpande was succeeded by his son, Cetshwayo (reigned 1872–79). Cetshwayo refused to submit to growing British hegemony in Southern Africa , and in 1879 the British invaded the Zulu kingdom, launching the Anglo-Zulu War .

After an initial defeat at Isandlwana in January, British armies seized Cetshwayo’s capital, Ulundi , in July, captured him in August , and divided the kingdom into 13 chieftaincies. In 1882 the southern part of the kingdom between the Mhlatuze and Tugela rivers was designated by the British as the Zulu Native Reserve. Cetshwayo was permitted to return to Ulundi in January 1883, and, although he was welcomed by his supporters, other Zulu prepared for civil war. Their raids into the northern parts of the dwindling area under Cetshwayo’s control culminated in an attack on Ulundi and the final defeat of Cetshwayo and his supporters on July 21, 1883. It is to this, known as the second Battle of Ulundi, that modern historians date the demise of the Zulu kingdom. During the fighting, large areas of the kingdom were bartered to the Boers in return for military support. These areas became part of the southeastern Transvaal and were known as the New Republic.

Cetshwayo, king of the Zulu, under British guard in Southern Africa, 1879. Photos.com/Thinkstock In 1887 the British annexed what remained of Zululand outside the Native Reserve and the New Republic to form the British Colony of Zululand. Attempts by Cetshwayo’s son, Dinuzulu, to prevent this were deemed by British authorities to be rebellion, and after being tried for treason, he was exiled to St. Helena in 1888. In 1893 Natal was given internal self-government, and in 1897 British Zululand was incorporated into Natal. After the defeat of the Boers in the South African War (1899–1902), the New Republic (the old western Zululand) was also incorporated into Natal. In 1902–04 a Land Commission partitioning resulted in some two-thirds of Zulu land, including the most fertile areas, being taken away from the Zulus.

The last traces of Zulu resistance to these developments and other issues (which included heavy taxation) were defeated in the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906. The remainder of the old Zulu areas were set aside as Native Reserves. The scattered reserve areas were governed by chiefs under the close supervision of white administrators. The growing population (including some non-Zulu) in the reserves and intense competition for land saw the accentuation of ethnic concepts, and “Zuluness” was claimed by many people whose ancestors had never been part of the independent kingdom. Britannica Stories KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa Tweet on Twitter The garden province of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal is a subtropical region of lush and well-watered valleys, washed by the warm Indian Ocean. One of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, the province stretches from Port Edward in the south to the borders of Swaziland and Mozambique to the north. Its western part is marked by the dramatic Drakensberg mountain range, with several peaks well over 3 000 metres.

The range has been awarded Unesco World Heritage status for its dramatic natural beauty and the wealth of San Bushman rock art found in its caves – the richest concentration on the continent of Africa. See World Heritage in South Africa Between the mountains and the humid, subtropical coastline is savannah grassland, but there are also areas of indigenous forest along the coast. The largest of its many rivers is the Thukela. It is a summer rainfall area, with a climate that ranges from extremely hot along the coast in summer, to heavy snow on the mountains in winter. The Midlands are drier than the coast and can be very cold in winter. Durban, the seat of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its harbour is one of the busiest in South Africa and one of the 10 largest in the world. Richards Bay is an important coal-export harbour. The capital of KwaZulu-Natal is Pietermaritzburg. The province has several popular coastal holiday resorts, such as Port Shepstone, Umhlanga and Margate.

In the interior, Newcastle is well-known for steel production and coal-mining, Estcourt for meat processing, and Ladysmith and Richmond for mixed agriculture. The KwaZulu- Natal coastal belt yields sugar cane, wood, oranges, bananas, mangoes and other tropical fruit. KwaZulu-Natal: quick facts Languages: 77.8% isiZulu, 13.2% English Population: 10 267 300 (2011) Share of South Africa’s population: 19.8% Area: 94 361 square kilometres Share of South Africa’s total land area: 7.7% The land and its people With a total area of 94 361 square kilometres, KwaZulu-Natal is roughly the size of Portugal. While it’s the country’s third-smallest province, taking up 7.7% of South Africa’s land area, it has the second-largest population, with 10.3-million people living there. The principal language is isiZulu, followed by English and Afrikaans.

Remnants of British colonialism and a mix of Zulu, Indian and Afrikaans traditions give the province a rich cultural diversity. KwaZulu-Natal has active conservation activities. The Royal Natal National Park, which forms part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, is home to more than 1 000 plant species, 12 species of antelope and three of the world’s seven species of crane. Other reserves are Giant’s Castle and the Kamberg Nature Reserve. See The Drakensberg: barrier of spears Some of South Africa’s best-protected indigenous coastal forests are found along the subtropical coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, such as at Dukuduku and Kosi Bay. It is also along this coast that the magnificent iSimangaliso Wetland Park is found – along with the Drakensberg, one of KwaZulu-Natal’s two Unesco World Heritage sites. The northern part of the province, on the Swaziland border, is typical African savanna, providing a natural backdrop for its rich wildlife, protected in several game parks. Industry Richards Bay is the centre of operations for South Africa’s aluminium industry.

The Richards Bay Coal Terminal is instrumental in securing the country’s position as the second-largest exporter of steam coal in the world. Richards Bay Minerals is the largest sand-mining and mineral-processing operation in the world. The vehicle-manufacturing industry has created a considerable multiplier effect in component- and service-providers. The automotive leather industry has grown rapidly, with exports significantly increasing foreign exchange earnings. KwaZulu-Natal has also recently undergone rapid industrialisation, thanks to its abundant water supply and labour resources. Industries are found at Newcastle, Ladysmith, Dundee, Richards Bay, Durban, Hammarsdale, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg and Mandeni. The Dube Trade Port at La Mercy, 35 kilometres north of Durban, is a passenger and air freight hub that incorporates King Shaka International Airport; a state-of-the-art cargo terminal; a trade zone that houses freight-forwarding and air-cargo-related businesses; and a agrizone, a 20-hectare development for flower and vegetable production. See King Shaka International Airport Agriculture The fertility of the soil and comparatively good rainfall – more than 1 000mm a year – make agriculture central to the economy.

The sugarcane plantations along the Indian Ocean coastal belt are the mainstay of KwaZulu-Natal’s agriculture. The coastal belt is also a large producer of subtropical fruit, while the farmers in the hinterland concentrate on vegetable, dairy and stock-farming. Another major source of income is forestry, in the areas around Vryheid, Eshowe, Richmond, Harding and Ngome. Ngome also has tea plantations. SouthAfrica.info reporter, incorporating material from the South African Yearbook Updated: October 2015 Would you like to use this article in your publication or on your website? See: Using SouthAfrica.info material TAGS Zulu | South African History Online South African History Online The Khoikhoi Zulu The four major ethnic divisions among Black South Africans are the Nguni, Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and Venda.

The Nguni represent nearly two thirds of South Africa's Black population and can be divided into four distinct groups; the Northern and Central Nguni (the Zulu-speaking peoples), the Southern Nguni (the Xhosa-speaking peoples), the Swazi people from Swaziland and adjacent areas, and the Ndebele people of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga. Archaeological evidence shows that the Bantu-speaking groups, that were the ancestors of the Nguni, migrated down from East Africa as early as the eleventh century - see South Africa's general history timeline . Language, culture and beliefs: The Zulu language, of which there are variations, is part of the Nguni language group. The word Zulu means "Sky" and according to oral history, Zulu was the name of the ancestor who founded the Zulu royal line in about 1670. Today it is estimated that there are more than 45 million South Africans, and the Zulu people make up about approximately 22% of this number. The largest urban concentration of Zulu people is in the Gauteng Province, and in the corridor of Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

The largest rural concentration of Zulu people is in Kwa-Zulu Natal. IsiZulu is South Africa's most widely spoken official language. It is a tonal language understood by people from the Cape to Zimbabwe and is characterized by many "clicks". In 2006 it was determined that approximately 9 million South Africans speak Xhosa as a home language. The following overview of the language was written by B.P. Mngadi for UNESCO's World Languages Report (2000): "The writing of Zulu was started by missionaries in the then Natal. The names J W Colenso, S B Stone, H Callaway and Lewis Grant are among the prominent. They taught the first people with whom they made contact, spreading the word of God, basic writing skills in Zulu. Magema Fuze, Ndiyane and William were among the very first who were taught communicative English and basic writing skills at about 1830-1841.

The first Zulu Christian booklet was produced by Newton Adams, George Newton and Aldin Grout (1837-8) titled "Incwadi Yokuqala Yabafundayo" which dealt with spelling of Zulu words and the history of the Old Testament. Between 1845 and 1883, the first translated version of the Bible was produced in very old Zulu orthography. In 1859 the first Zulu Grammar Book by L. Grout was produced". Its oral tradition is very rich but its modern literature is still developing. J.L Dube was the first Zulu writer (1832) though his first publication was a Zulu story written in English titled "A Talk on my Native Land". In 1903 he concentrated in editing the newspaper "Ilanga LaseNatali". His first Zulu novel "Insila kaShaka" was published in 1930. We see a steady growth of publications especially novels from 1930 onwards. The clear-cut distinction made today between the Xhosa and the Zulu has no basis in culture or history, but arises out of the colonial distinction between the Cape and Natal colonies.

Both speak very similar languages and share similar customs, but the historical experiences at the northern end of the Nguni culture area differed considerably from the historical experiences at the southern end. The majority of northerners became part of the Zulu kingdom, which abolished circumcision. The majority of southerners never became part of any strongly centralised kingdom, intermarried with Khoikhoi and retained circumcision. Many Zulu people converted to Christianity under colonialism. However, although there are many Christian converts, ancestral beliefs have not disappeared. Instead, there has been a mixture of traditional beliefs and Christianity. Ancestral spirits are important in Zulu religious life ,and offerings and sacrifices are made to the ancestors for protection, good health, and happiness. Ancestral spirits come back to the world in the form of dreams, illnesses, and sometimes snakes. The Zulu also believe in the use of magic. Ill fortune such as bad luck and illness is considered to be sent by an angry spirit. When this happens, the help of a traditional healer is sought, and he or she will communicate with the ancestors, or use natural herbs and prayers, to get rid of the problem.

Late nineteenth century postcard of Zulu Warriors (note the Europeans in the background) The Zulu are fond of singing as well as dancing. These activities promote unity at all the transitional ceremonies such as births, weddings, and funerals. All the dances are accompanied by drums and the men dress as warriors (see image). Zulu folklore is transmitted through storytelling, praise-poems, and proverbs. These explain Zulu history and teach moral lessons. Praise-poems (poems recited about the kings and the high achievers in life) are becoming part of popular culture. The Zulu, especially those from rural areas, are known for their weaving, craft-making, pottery, and beadwork. The Zulu term for "family" (umndeni) includes all the people staying in a homestead who are related to each other, either by blood, marriage, or adoption. Drinking and eating from the same plate was and still is a sign of friendship. It is customary for children to eat from the same dish, usually a big basin. This derives from a "share what you have" belief which is part of ubuntu (humane) philosophy.

Origins: Long ago, before the Zulu were forged as a nation, they lived as isolated family groups and partly nomadic northern Nguni groups. These groups moved about within their loosely defined territories in search of game and good grazing for their cattle. As they accumulated livestock, and supporters family leaders divided and dispersed in different directions, while still retaining family networks. The Zulu homestead (imizi) consisted of an extended family and others attached to the household through social obligations. This social unit was largely self-sufficient, with responsibilities divided according to gender. Men were generally responsible for defending the homestead, caring for cattle, manufacturing and maintaining weapons and farm implements, and building dwellings. Women had domestic responsibilities and raised crops, usually grains, on land near the household. By the late eighteenth century, a process of political consolidation among the groups was beginning to take place. A number of powerful chiefdoms began to emerge and a transformation from pastoral society to a more organised statehood occurred. This enabled leaders to wield more authority over their own supporters, and to compel allegiance from conquered chiefdoms. Changes took place in the nature of political, social, and economic links between chiefs of these emerging power blocs and their subjects.

Zulu chiefs demanded steadily increasing tribute or taxes from their subjects, acquired great wealth, commanded large armies, and, in many cases, subjugated neighbouring chiefdoms. Military conquest allowed men to achieve status distinctions that had become increasingly important. This culminated early in the nineteenth century with the warrior-king Shaka conquering all the groups in Zululand and uniting them into a single powerful Zulu nation, that made its influence felt over southern and central Africa. Shaka ruled from 1816 to 1828, when he was assassinated by his brothers. Shaka recruited young men from all over the kingdom and trained them in his own novel warrior tactics. His military campaign resulted in widespread violence and displacement, and after defeating competing armies and assimilating their people, Shaka established his Zulu nation. Within twelve years, he had forged one of the mightiest empires the African continent has ever known. The Zulu empire weakened after Shaka's death in 1828. One of the most significant events in Zulu history was the arrival of Europeans in Natal. By the late 1800s, British troops had invaded Zulu territory and divided Zulu land into different chiefdoms.

The Zulu never regained their independence ( see Anglo-Zulu Wars ). Natal received "Colonial government" in 1893, and the Zulu people were dissatisfied about being governed by the Colony. A plague of locusts devastated crops in Zululand and Natal in 1894 and 1895, and their cattle were dying of rinderpest, lung sickness and east coast fever. These natural disasters impoverished them and forced more men to seek employment as railway construction workers in northern Natal and on the mines in the Witwatersrand. The last Zulu uprising, led by Chief Bambatha in 1906, was a response to harsh and unjust laws and unimaginable actions by the Natal Government. It was sparked off by the imposition of the 1905 poll tax of £1 per head, introduced to increase revenue and to force more Zulus to start working for wages. The uprising was ruthlessly suppressed ( see Bambatha Rebellion ). The 1920s saw fundamental changes in the Zulu nation. Many were drawn towards the mines and fast-growing cities as wage earners, and were separated from the land and urbanised.

Zulu men and women have made up a substantial portion of South Africa's urban work force throughout the 20th century, especially in the gold and copper mines of the Witwatersrand. Zulu workers organized some of the first black labour unions in the country. For example, the Zulu Washermen's Guild, Amawasha, was active in Natal and the Witwatersrand even before the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910. The Zululand Planters' Union organized agricultural workers in Natal in the early twentieth century. The dawn of apartheid in the 1940s marked more changes for all Black South Africans, and in 1953 the South African Government introduced the "homelands" . In the 1960s the Government's objective was to form a "tribal authority" and provide for the gradual development of self-governing Bantu national units. The first Territorial Authority for the Zulu people was established in 1970 and the Zulu homeland of KwaZulu was defined. On 30 March 1972 the first Legislative Assembly of KwaZulu was constituted by South African Parliamentary Proclamation.

Chief Mangosutho (Gatsha) Buthelezi , a cousin of the king, was elected as Chief Executive. The town of Nongoma was temporarily consolidated as the capital, pending completion of buildings at Ulundi. The 1970s also saw the revival of Inkatha, later the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) , the ruling and sole party in the self-governing KwaZulu homeland. Led by Chief Minister Mangosutho Buthelezi, Inkatha worked within the NP governments system, but it opposed homeland independence, standing for non-racial democracy, federalism, and free enterprise. Military prowess continued to be an important value in Zulu culture, and this emphasis fuelled some of the political violence of the 1990s. Buthelezi's nephew, Goodwill Zwelithini , was the Zulu monarch in the 1990s. Buthelezi and King Goodwill won the agreement of ANC negotiators just before the April 1994 elections that, with international mediation, the government would establish a special status for the Zulu Kingdom after the elections.

Zulu leaders understood this special status to mean some degree of regional autonomy within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Buthelezi was appointed minister of home affairs in the first Government of National Unity in 1994. He led a walkout of Zulu delegates from the National Assembly in early 1995 and clashed repeatedly with newly elected President Nelson (Rolihlahla) Mandela. Buthelezi threatened to abandon the Government of National Unity entirely unless his Zulu constituency received greater recognition and autonomy from central government control. The Zulu – the people of the heavens The people of the heavens The Zulu people, South Africa The Zulu people of KwaZulu-Natal were once a disparate group of clans and chieftanships. But when King Shaka melded them into one of the greatest fighting forces in history they entered the realm of myth and legend. Today Zulu culture is one of the most admired aspects of our Rainbow Nation. Did you know? The Zulu inflicted the heaviest defeat ever experienced by imperial Britain's military. The Zulu people call themselves as 'the people of the heavens'.

Once a disparate group of clans and chieftainships, they were melded into a great kingdom by Shaka in the early 19th century. Because of the exploits of Shaka and his successors, the Zulu people are arguably the most recognisable in Africa. Today they number over nine million, with the majority living in KwaZulu-Natal. Their language, IsiZulu, is the most widely spoken in South Africa. Zulu people hold their culture in high esteem, observing many of its ancient traditions, rituals and ceremonies. They believe strongly in the presence of ancestral spirits, which are essential in their day-to-day lives. Birth, marriage and death are opportune times to communicate with the ancestors in Zulu culture. In Zulu tradition there is also belief in a Supreme Creator. He is not intricately involved in the lives of the people and he has never been seen by anyone, which is why no ceremonies are ever performed in his name. The typical Zulu family still exists in rural Zululand. It includes all people staying in a homestead who are related to one other. Everyone will stay in the homestead, which is often made up of circular, fenced huts with thatched roofs.

A man is always the head of the household. In Zulu culture, clothing is often intricate, carrying meaning with each outfit. Men, women and children wear beads as accessories. Men wear the amabeshu - an apron made of goat or cattle skin, but worn at the back. In addition, men decorate their heads with furs and feathers, while also wearing goatskin bands on their arms and legs. Women wear the isidwaba, a traditional black skirt of goat or cattle skin. If a woman is not married, she will cover her upper body with a string of beads. Related articles

Question: In which South African province do most of the Zulu population live
Answer: Natal