The Zulu People of South Africa
The Zulu People
The Zulu people, also known as “the people of the heavens,” are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. With a culture rich in arts and dance, many Zulu still live a traditional lifestyle in small, simple villages with huts made from straw, and most of their belongings being handmade.
Let’s dig deep into the lives of the Zulu people, and the questionable traits of their seemingly “warm” culture.
Who Are They?
The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with over 14 million people.
They live in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, and live in a strong patriarchalsociety that practices polygyny and puts great emphasis on bearing children.
What Language Do They speak?
Nearly all Zulu people are fluent in their own language—isiZulu—which is a Bantu language and part of the Nguni subgroup.
Zulu is an official language in South Africa, and is the most widely spoken. But many Zulu people also speak Xitsonga, Sesotho, and others from among the country's 12 official languages.
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What Does Their Name Mean?
In the Nguni languages, iZulu means "heaven," which is why they refer to themselves as “the people of the heavens". According to the Zulu people, "Zulu" was also the name of the founder of the Zulu royal line in the 17th century.
How Do They Live?
Zulu people are traditionally grain farmers who also keep large herds of cattle. Before they became a larger nation though, they lived a fairly simple, isolated, nomadiclifestyle, following their herds. They gained cattle by raiding neighboring tribes.
After becoming more colonized, they became better farmers and set up more permanent villages—though raiding is still a common practice.
