StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Zulu Culture and living - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
The Zulu people are the largest group of people in South Africa. They make up to 24% of the total country’s population. They are believed to have migrated from Congo area in the 16th century and picked up most of their cultural practices from the san of South Africa…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.9% of users find it useful
Zulu Culture and living
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Zulu Culture and living"

? The Zulu Culture The Zulu People The Zulu people are the largest group of people in South Africa. They make up to 24% of the total country’s population. They are believed to have migrated from Congo area in the 16th century and picked up most of their cultural practices from the san of South Africa. The Zulu people are full of character and celebrate their cultural distinctiveness through cultural festivals. Currently the Zulu tribe is divided; some people have moved into urban centers while others are still in their native habitat (Kwazulu-Natal province). Zulu community has a little population in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. The Zulu people have exciting traditions and their daily lives incorporate both the traditional and modern practices in beliefs, music, rituals, arts and rites of passage. The Zulu tradition is rooted in the Nkulunkulu the creator. The Zulu people are agriculturalists practicing both farming and keeping of domesticated animals. The Zulu mode of subsistence played a critical role in shaping their economic organization. Division of labor was along gender lines and there was clear-cut distinction between male and female roles in the society. Men performed chores that were considered more cumbersome and required a lot of time out of the homestead. They include land cultivation with oxen-driven sledges, carrying logs, constructing food storage barns and tending the cattle. On the other hand, women performed household chores like child rearing, cooking, fetching water, collecting firewood, spreading seeds in the farms and hoeing. Their religious beliefs and values were influenced by their mode of subsistence (Gatsha, 1992). This is because they represent the peoples needs incase of crop failure, infestation of the firms by crops destroying insects and crop harvest. Religion was also used to deal with uncertainties and explain things that could not be explained by culture. The Zulu people had a centralized form of government. The king was the central ruler and was accorded maximum respect. The king delegated power to chiefs who were in charge of the districts. The family heads were obligated to maintain law and order in their homesteads. Mode of Subsistence Traditionally, the Zulu people were agriculturalists; they practiced mixed farming. A lot of significance was attached to cattle, goats and poultry. A man’s wealth was measured by the size of his cattle herd. Cattle were a source of meat and milk and hides. They were also used in paying bride price (lobola) and cattle sacrifice was the main way of appeasing the ancestors. Women took care of the agricultural activities and they grew crops like maize, pumpkins, sugar reeds and tubers. Economic organization In the 19th century, the Zulu people practiced mixed farming. They grew crops and raised livestock. Women collected grass that was used in thatching new and renewing thatches, making baskets, sitting mats, straws (beer sieves) and pot lids among other products. Women plastered and re-plastered houses belonging to their brothers, aunts, husbands and parents. Ploughing fields was a collective chore to both men and women. Men span the oxen and control the ploughs that were drawn by the oxen. Women and boys spread the seeds and finally, women did hoeing and harvesting. Men collected the harvest on sledges that were drawn by the oxen. Women were obligated to clean and polish the living huts. Men on the other hand carved wood utensils, walking sticks and milkpails. Men collected logs that were used in fencing, constructing and repairing kraals. They also built bans that were used for food storage and dug pits used for food storage in the kraals. Young men looked after cattle and slaughtered the animals for ceremonial festivals. Men also tanned the animal skin that was later used in making leather products (Zibani, 2002, p.138). The waves of change brought about by modernization have not spared the Zulu community. Division of labor is still gender based. Men are regarded as the primary providers and to establish themselves they have been forced to move to urban centers to look for employment. Women who are still in the rural areas still do the horticultural chores and perform household duties like cleaning, child rearing and fetching water. Women have also been forced to look for employment to supplement for the family’s income. Religious beliefs and values Beliefs and values are universal in all cultures. They aim at expressing what is natural and supernatural in a culture. It further expresses the relationship that exists between them. Religious beliefs and values provides a community with a sense of identity and belonging, they establish codes which set out what is expected of the individual members in the society, divine intervention relieves members of anxiety and it answers questions which are above mans knowledge. For instance, myths explain human origin and existence. The Zulu people believed that everything came from Umvelingqangi who is the ruler. Princess Nomkhubulwane who brings rain, food, female affairs and fertility assists him. The Zulu also believe in the existence of ancestral spirits who acts as the bridge between ancestors, their ruler (Umvelingqangi) and the living. The Zulu people believed that Umvelingqangi lived in heaven. Ordinary men could not communicate directly to the supreme deity and thus they had representatives’ like priest and ancestral spirits. According to the Zulu people, Ancestral spirits give life and show pleasure and anger to the living. Gatsha (1992, p.21) asserts that ancestral spirits provide safety and security to the living in the society. The ancestral spirits’ were believed to be closely watching the Zulu people’s actions. They were pleased by attention and honor given to them. On the other hand, they were irritated by neglect. Ancestral spirits promoted the peoples welfare through giving food fortunes like making crops grow, increasing fertility and crops harvest. Neglect of the spirits could lead to punishment inform of misfortunes, disasters, diseases and death. In the Zulu community, the family heads are obligated to make sure that ancestral spirits are not neglected and are respected accordingly. The Zulu people use religious beliefs to incorporate values that are critical towards the promotion of society’s survival through social solidarity. Belief in the power held by the supernatural helps in easing pain caused by death and dealing with anxieties brought about by the unknown. As per the religion, the Zulu are social beings who cannot control forces that bring about suffering and good fortune like good rains, bumper harvest, fertility, child bearing and dealing with demise of a close relative. The Zulu people believe in life after death. According to Gatsha (1992, p.82), the living honor and remember their ancestors, they sacrifice to the spirits of their parents and grand parents. The spirits of outstanding persons like kings deserve to be honored beyond the family circles of their descendants. According to Joel (2010, p.12), the Zulu people majorly worshipped ancestors who were believed to be unseen members in the society who continue to takeoff the living. The Zulus culture and the decisions they make on daily basis revolve around ancestors. There is constant communication between the two worlds before any action can be undertaken. Christianity has led to many changes in the Zulus religion. Majority of the Zulu people combine both Christianity and traditional beliefs. Others have been fully converted to Christianity. These churches also have practitioners who help their followers in communicating with the ancestors. Diviners in the traditional society diagnosed ill health and its causes. They also predicted on the possible causes of misfortunes that befell the society. The diagnosis was related to irritation of the ancestral spirits and witchcraft. Medicine in the Zulu community targeted either physical illness or psychological problems. The latter was magic intended to affect the person whom it was being directed to either positively or negatively. This medicine was more of a weapon intended for protection on the person whom it was used on. Color symbolism was a critical part in healing among the Zulu. Black and red symbolized both bad and good while White symbolized good. Treatment was given out with all these medicine to maintain a balance between the individual and the society. Currently, the Zulu people use western for m of medication. Choice on the type of medication to be used is influenced by perceptions on what could be the possible source of the predicament. Death can be caused by illness or by accident and murder. Death resulting from murder and accident is referred to as spill of blood. Rituals are performed to cleanse the community off the pollution considered to be brought about by death. Political Organization Political organization in the Zulu society was hierarchical, the king being the most powerful person on the land. The king had both judicial and legislative power in the community. The legislation was constituted through consultation with either the council or the old men who were considered knowledgeable. The council consisted of important family heads that were at times required to live with the king at the royal kraal to advise him. The council gave orders for marriage arrangements and campaign announcements. The king delegated authority to chiefs who were in charge of the districts. The chiefs delegated authority to homestead heads that were in charge of each household (Nowak & Laird, 2010). The homestead (umuzi) was the smallest unit of political organization. The Zulu settlements that were made up of extended families were patrilocal in nature. Practice of Polygyny allowed men to marry more than one woman. Wives were expected to be submissive to their husbands and this promoted men’s superiority in the society. Each kraal (village) represented the homestead of a male person in the society who built separate huts for each of his wives. The arrangement of the huts was according wife’s prestige around the kraal. The head of the homestead was obligated to maintain order in his vicinity. Disputes of special nature and those that could not be handled by the homestead head efficiently were taken care of by the district head. An intanga (a group of men of the same age group) lived at the king’s kraal, took care of the kings cattle and formed an army. As a way of showing respect to the king, the chiefs attend the council meetings and campaign for ceremonies organized by the king (Gatsha, 1992). The local elected government official ensures equal access to resources and services by the Zulu people (Joel, 2010). In conclusion, from the above discussion, it is evident that agriculture as a form of subsistence adopted by the Zulu people greatly influences the other facets of culture. The economic organization that was characterized by division of labor across gender lines and age is an attribute of developed societies that practice agriculture. Crop farming and cattle keeping are very involving and thus call for collective involvement of the entire community as evident in the Zulu community. Their religion represents community’s expectations and fears which are above the community’s control. The choice of animals to give as sacrifices in Ceremonies performed to appease spirits was influenced by the availability of livestock. Centralized political form of organization was dictated by need for social cohesion to foster economical production. The Zulu people have changed and the society is currently divided into halves. Some have moved to urban centers to seek employment and this has led to partial or complete change in lifestyle. However, women who are employed in the urban centers are obligated to perform their household chores or have a house help to do them on their behalf. The Zulu people are scattered in the entire South African nation and are thus governed by the national Government. However, family organisat6ions still exist among the population residing in the Kwazulu-Natal province. References Gatsha, B. (1992). Bring in the Zulus: Zulu. African people, 325(7779): 15-16 Joel, C. (2010). Politics and Preaching: Nazaretha church, obedient subjects and sermon performance in South Africa. Journal of African History, 51(1), 21-40 Nowak, B. & Laird, P. (2010). Cultural anthropology. San Diego, Bridge point Education, Inc. Zibani, A. (2002). Zulu cultural traditions: A draw card for tourism in Kwazulu-Natal, with special reference to the Lebombo initiative. Retrieved on 30 March 2012 from: http://uzspace.uzulu.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10530/228/Zulu%20cultural%20traditions%20-%20A%20Draw%20Card%20for%20Tourism%20in%20KZN%20-%20AN%20Zibani.pdf?sequence=1 Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Zulu Culture and living Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/anthropology/1446403-zulu-culture-and-living
(Zulu Culture and Living Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words)
https://studentshare.org/anthropology/1446403-zulu-culture-and-living.
“Zulu Culture and Living Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/anthropology/1446403-zulu-culture-and-living.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Zulu Culture and living

The Culture of Zulu

These ancestors were supposed by them to be living in Unkulunkulu which was considered as the world of the spirits.... The ancestors were the link between the living and the spirits.... Thus animals should be fed properly and cared for, the forest and the mountains should not be made angry or the spirits living in them will have their vengeance on the people.... The culture of Zulu Name University Name .... In this essay, discussions will be focused on the culture of Zulus especially their Religion, political organization of Zulus before the arrival of British and the Gender relations in Zululand (Dougherty & Sievert, 2008)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

The Culture of the Famous Zulu Tribe of Africa

It has a population of an estimated 10-11 million people, living mainly in the province of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.... The paper "The culture of the Famous Zulu Tribe of Africa" highlights that certain dances are related to certain African cultures.... e will discuss the culture of the famous Zulu tribe of Africa.... zulu is the largest ethnic group in Africa.... Their importance is revealed by the fact that the zulu Kingdom played a major role in South African History during the 19th and 20th centuries....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Foraging as a Subsistence Way of Life

They have a rich culture, well established political structures and chains o… Hunters were in the community too in order to supplement the food gathered by the gatherers. Foraging is a subsistence way of life.... The zulu tribe is a good example of diversity.... A good example is the zulu tribe.... Among the zulu, women are the primary gatherers who gather fruits and can at times kill small animals for food.... The zulu have well established political systems....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

The Zulu Culture

The research paper "The zulu culture" seeks to focus on the Zulu people and analyze their culture in comparison to the western culture, particularly in areas concerning early forms of entertainment that have, over the years, developed to become film and literature.... The zulu culture is part of the Bantu society that hails from the south-west part of Africa.... The zulu culture is intense and rich in tradition, and has been the focus of study to numerous schools of thought....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

The Culture of Zulu

These ancestors were supposed by them to be living in Unkulunkulu which was considered as the world of the spirits.... The ancestors were the link between the living and the spirits.... The paper "The culture of Zulu" is an attempt to understand some of the beliefs which were followed by the Zulu people.... The Inyanga can be said to be the doctor of the zulu tribe....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Santeria - African Spirits in America

The power that is the force of Olodumare has a name that identifies its association within the culture.... This essay investigates the book “Santeria: African Spirits in America” by Joseph Murphy.... Learning how Santeria becomes the heart of the Yoruba people's life, the social cooperation and cultural belief paradigms help to understand the kind of Santeria worship in the US....
6 Pages (1500 words) Research Paper

The Zulu Culture

This research paper "The zulu culture" investigates how the pastoral mode of subsistence impacts different aspects of the cultural behavior of the Zulu tribe of Africa.... Similar to the Masai of Kenya, although there is an emphasis on music, dancing, elaborate beadwork, and oral narratives, there is little significance for the visual arts in the zulu culture (Hatcher, 1999).... 1), argues that although “the Zulu, Tswana, Ankoke, Kavirondo, and Nuer are grouped as pastoral-agriculturalists”, complex patterns emerge from an interweaving of their ecological setting, the distribution of their settlements, division of labor, and other factors that form their culture....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Relevance of the Reed Dance Ritual in the 21st Century

The reeds are laid at the King's feet following as a symbol for the respect for the zulu culture, and they believe their ancestors emerged from the reed bed.... The parents are also dressed in traditional attire during the couple of days they celebrate their culture.... The reed giving ceremony is normally the center stage of the occasion, and zulu princess normally leads it.... The reeds were important in building traditional zulu huts and craftwork like basket and mat making....
6 Pages (1500 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us