Zulu Tribe 7

The Zulu tribe is an ethnic tribe native to Southern Africa.

With a population of approximately 11 million,  one of the South African tribes, the Zulu tribe, is believed to have emigrated from the great Central African Lakes area in about the 15th century and have lived since then in what is today known as KwaZulu-Natal. Associated groups of the Zulu tribe are the Matabele of southern Zimbabwe and the Angoni of Malawi.

They were not of great importance until about the 18th century when the power and warlike abilities, first of Dingiswayo and later of Chaka (Shaka), caused a reign of terror to be unleashed throughout Southern Africa. Chaka was eventually murdered by his brother Dingaan who unsuccessfully attempted to stop the entry of the Voortrekkers into his country. As a result, the Zulus withdrew north of the Tugela River which then became the accepted boundary between them and the white population, although a large number of Zulus settled in Natal proper.

After that, a comparative peace set in under the reign of Panda, however in 1872, Cetshwayo became King of the Zulus, and it was then that disputes reached a crisis. He was defeated in the Zulu war, deposed, and was eventually re-instated with limited power until 1879.

Soon Zululand became embroiled in a period of turmoil and inter-tribal wars.  British Authority was established, and finally, in 1897, Zululand became part of Natal. Among the African people, the Zulu’s are regarded as the Aristocracy, with high moral standards and natural dignity.

Today, the Zulu people of KwaZulu-Natal live in both rural and urban areas. Many of them have moved to the industrialized areas in Gauteng to gain greater prosperity. Zulu is the most widely used home language in modern South Africa and one of the most prominent official languages of the county.

Some people purposely book bargain holidays to visit South Africa and learn about the tribes. Not only is it a cultural but an educational experience, great for families with young children or travellers wanting a new adventure.