Zulu Tribe History, Traditions & Key Attributes of their Music .
There are many traditions in the Zulu culture. They very strongly believe in treating other people very warmly. When these people greet others, they often shake hands three times and ask the other person about their well-being and relationships. When others leave, they often say a goodbye that translates into “remain well”, while the other person says “go well” (Zulu). It is also customary for younger people to initiate the greetings with the older people (Zulu).
In the Zulu culture, music and dancing are held in great value. The two often go hand-in-hand. The music is heavily weighted on drums, and it is very rhythmic. Music and dancing are often performed in significant life events such as births, weddings, and funerals. Singing is frequently used in the music, and their lyrics often have a deep meaning, containing stories, proverbs, and moral lessons (Zulu. Anonymous).
The Zulu tribe resides in South Africa, with over 9 million members today (Zulu). They migrated to South Africa back in the 16th century. The tribe’s land area and numbers increased greatly in the 1800’s. It was during that time when English colonizers began creating conflict with the Zulu people over the land, and that conflict continued throughout the 1900’s. Today there is a large Zulu population, and they have a large voice in South African society (Zulu Tribe).
The Zulu people believe in a supreme being as well as an afterlife. Additionally, they have a very strong belief in ancestral spirits, which are spirits of those that have passed on. Because of their belief that the supreme being doesn’t play an intimate role in their lives, the ancestral spirits are meant to act as mediators between the people and their god. As such, these ancestral spirits play a large role in their lives (Zulu).
Citations:
"Zulu Tribe of South Africa." Zulu Tribe of South Africa. Web. 20 Dec. 2015. <http://www.gateway-africa.com/tribe/zulu_tribe.html>.
"Zulu." - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major Holidays, Rites of Passage. Web. 20 Dec. 2015. <http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Rwanda-to-Syria/Zulu.html>.
"Zulu." Anonymous. Web. 20 Dec. 2015. <http://www.sahistory.org.za/people-south-africa/zulu>.