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Zulu People: History and Culture

The Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa, numbering around 10-11 million people. They speak Zulu and are known for their beadwork, baskets, and ceremonies where traditional beer is consumed. The Zulu were united into a powerful kingdom by Shaka Zulu in the 19th century. Under apartheid, Zulus suffered from discrimination and were classified as third-class citizens. Most Zulus engage in subsistence farming or low-skilled labor due to the legacy of apartheid.

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155 views2 pages

Zulu People: History and Culture

The Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa, numbering around 10-11 million people. They speak Zulu and are known for their beadwork, baskets, and ceremonies where traditional beer is consumed. The Zulu were united into a powerful kingdom by Shaka Zulu in the 19th century. Under apartheid, Zulus suffered from discrimination and were classified as third-class citizens. Most Zulus engage in subsistence farming or low-skilled labor due to the legacy of apartheid.

Uploaded by

Susan Thomas
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Zulu People The Zulu People

General
General
The Zulu are the largest South African ethnic group,
The Zulu are the largest South African ethnic group,
with an estimated 10–11 million people living mainly
with an estimated 10–11 million people living mainly
in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Their language,
in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Their language,
Zulu, is a Bantu language. They are well known for
Zulu, is a Bantu language. They are well known for
their beautiful brightly colored beads and baskets as
their beautiful brightly colored beads and baskets as
well as other small carvings. The Zulu tribes have
well as other small carvings. The Zulu tribes have
many ceremonies and festivals during which the Zulu
many ceremonies and festivals during which the Zulu
traditional beer is consumed.
traditional beer is consumed.
History
History
Shaka Zulu: The leaders are based off genealogy. The
Shaka Zulu: The leaders are based off genealogy. The
reason that the Zulu tribe is so large is probably
reason that the Zulu tribe is so large is probably
attributable to Shaka Zulu, the nineteenth century
attributable to Shaka Zulu, the nineteenth century
Zulu leader that united the Northern Nguni people in
Zulu leader that united the Northern Nguni people in
the Zulu kingdom and used innovative military
the Zulu kingdom and used innovative military
tactics to dominate the neighboring tribes.
tactics to dominate the neighboring tribes.
The Apartheid Years
The Apartheid Years
The Zulu Kingdom played a major role in South
The Zulu Kingdom played a major role in South
African history during the 19th and 20th centuries.
African history during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Under apartheid, Zulu people were classed as third-
Under apartheid, Zulu people were classed as third-
class citizens and suffered from state-sanctioned
class citizens and suffered from state-sanctioned
discrimination.
discrimination.
Economy
Economy
Rural Zulu raise cattle and farm corn and vegetables
Rural Zulu raise cattle and farm corn and vegetables
for subsistence purposes. In the urban areas of South
for subsistence purposes. In the urban areas of South
Africa, Zulu, and in fact all Africans, are limited to
Africa, Zulu, and in fact all Africans, are limited to
labor intensive work and domestic duties. Even as
labor intensive work and domestic duties. Even as
Apartheid as an institution is beginning to crumble, it
Apartheid as an institution is beginning to crumble, it
is still extremely difficult for Africans to compete for
is still extremely difficult for Africans to compete for
jobs for which they have not been trained.
jobs for which they have not been trained.

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