Basic Info
The Zulu people are indigenous to Kwazulu, a natal province in South Africa. Their population is among the highest out of all of the African tribes with 47.4 million members. Their native tongue is Isizulu, a language created by the zulu. The religions the Zulu practice are a combination of many. These religions include Christianity, traditional beliefs, and syncretic religions (a fusion of religions).
The Zulu people are indigenous to Kwazulu, a natal province in South Africa. Their population is among the highest out of all of the African tribes with 47.4 million members. Their native tongue is Isizulu, a language created by the zulu. The religions the Zulu practice are a combination of many. These religions include Christianity, traditional beliefs, and syncretic religions (a fusion of religions).
Holidays
An important holiday for the Zulu people is Shaka's Day. Shaka's Day is a holiday celebrated on a day in September. They celebrate by slaughtering cattle to commemorate the founder of the Zulu. Along with Shaka's day, the Zulu practice Christian holidays like Christmas. Along with most tribes, the Zulu celebrate their national holidays for the respective counties.
An important holiday for the Zulu people is Shaka's Day. Shaka's Day is a holiday celebrated on a day in September. They celebrate by slaughtering cattle to commemorate the founder of the Zulu. Along with Shaka's day, the Zulu practice Christian holidays like Christmas. Along with most tribes, the Zulu celebrate their national holidays for the respective counties.
Rites of Passage
Births, puberty/marriage, and deaths are all celebrated by sacrificing animals to ancestors. When a baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and handled with extreme care. It is then buried near the birth site. The mother is then secluded because it is believed that the mother is susceptible to evil at this time. The puberty ceremony is now a days usually only for girls where the young adult is taken away from society for a time to "mature" during that time to symbolize the growth. After death, the whole community mourns and buries the body and a ceremony is performed to send the wandering spirit to the land of ancestors.
Births, puberty/marriage, and deaths are all celebrated by sacrificing animals to ancestors. When a baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and handled with extreme care. It is then buried near the birth site. The mother is then secluded because it is believed that the mother is susceptible to evil at this time. The puberty ceremony is now a days usually only for girls where the young adult is taken away from society for a time to "mature" during that time to symbolize the growth. After death, the whole community mourns and buries the body and a ceremony is performed to send the wandering spirit to the land of ancestors.