The Zulus

The Ancestors of Shaka Zulu

Background

The Zulus reside in South Africa

Worldview

Worldview

For the Zulu life and religion are one. People live in kraals (village), circle of houses, and keep cattle.

The Role of the Chief

The chief lived in a umnumzane. He is both leader and priest. In his house there is place called a unsamo, where he can commune "with ancestors through objects or ritual significance." The chief and diviners (mostly women) receive help from the ancestors via dreams and visions.

The Diviner’s Role

The diviners are able to tell what spiritual powers are working so that the healers can heal.

The Specialists

There are specialists who deal with such natural phenomena as storms that are called izinyanga zezulu, herders of storms. "The serve the God of the Sky."

Powers for God or Bad

The powers of the earth can be used for either good or for bad. For examples sorcerers will employ diviners and herbalists for evil purposes and an abathakati (witch) also uses forces for evil.

Ancestors are highly honored by their families and villages.

Rights of Passages

Rights of Passages

The purpose of the rites of passages and the rituals is to keep the spiritual channels properly focused; if something is off balance it can effect the whole kraal.

Important Times

Birth of infants and puberty are important times.

Marriage also is special time/event. There is a transfer of property, permission is needed for marriage. In fact there is some “negotiating” which takes place between the kraal of the bride and groom. There is also a wedding feast.

Death

Death is a troubling time in a kraal. Most deaths with the exception of old age are questioned. If a chief has died the whole kraal could be in danger. Rituals are performed to insure that the proper gods/spirits are appeased and protective measures are taken to prevent harm to anyone.

Deities of the Zulu People

Deities

One great deity u mueling angi sent a “chameleon to humans with a message that they would live forever. He also sent a lizard with a message that all people would die. Because the lizard arrived first, humans die.”

Creator God

The creator god has little to do with creation and is not even worshipped directly.

More Deities

The Princess of Heaven, a female deity (Inkosazan) sends rains. Gods and ancestors communicate with humans in various ways. Humans tell the ancestors and the gods what they want through rituals and they, in turn communicate with humans through dreams and visions).

Sources

http://www.africanoffroadtours.com/images/zulu.jpg

http://www.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/africa/03/07/africa.floods.02/link.south.africa.jpg

http://www.sacrs.org.za/ecm21/gallery/zulu-village-01300587b.jpg

http://www.sacrs.org.za/ecm21/gallery/zulu-chief-01301344b.jpg