The largest ethnic groups of South Africa, Zulu who are truly descended from the Nguni tribes reside in South African province KwaZulu-Natal. The word Zulu denotes ‘The men and women of Heaven’ and their population is approximately 11 million and some of their family members members also reside in some components of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. They speak Zulu language which is the most broadly spoken language in South Africa and it is a single of the official languages of the Republic of South Africa.
The Zulu folks contributed an eminent element in the South African culture and history especially in the 19th and 20th century. Throughout apartheid which was the governing program of South Africa in between 1948 and 1994, the Zulus suffered from wonderful racial discrimination and segregation. It was an era in South Africa when minority rule of white folks was dominating and all rights of the indigenous populations had been usurped. Nonetheless they continued their struggles for their rights and right after the election of Nelson Mandela as president of post-apartheid South Africa in 1994, the reforms have been made and Zulus are identified today as the most many ethnic group in South Africa, and now have equal rights along with all other citizens.
Zulu religion includes belief in a creator god (Nkulunkulu), who is above interacting in day-to-day human affairs. Despite the fact that due to preaching by the Christian missionaries , the most Zulus have embraced Christianity but nonetheless they have robust faith in ancestor spirits (Amatongo or Amadhlozi), who according to them have the complete manage in their lives. Politically Zulus are officially ruled by the South African government but their standard way of obeying the commands of their leader is still carried on by them. The standard clothing of Zulus consists of tremendous varieties and they put on in festive occasions and in cultural ceremonies. Zulu dress is animal skins for males and skirts decorated with hardwood beads for ladies.
The Zulu traditional dances are also a prominent function of their identity. The essential dances of Zulus are identified as ‘Reed Dance’ which is performed by young maidens to attract their king who is looking for a wife. ‘Ingoma (isizingili)’ is a kind of dance performed with each other by boys and girls with a song and no music. ‘Ingoma (ishishameni)’ a separate dance of boys and girls with clapping.
The most effectively recognized Zulu dance is ‘Indlamu’ which is actually connected with their war habits and cultures. It is a common male dance and reflects the real colors of Zulu culture. They dress up themselves in their standard attires and expose their traditional weapons. The dancers engage themselves in mock combat, expressing their strength and mastery of weapons.
On the complete all of the traditions of Zulu dances are closely associated to their wedding rites, the succession of a new king, the deciding on of a bride, and many other important religious and cultural events.
