The Zulu are an African ethnic group of about 11 million people living mainly in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, speaking ‘isiZulu’.
For rural Zulu people, life is a little different to that of those living the city life, working and speaking in English, Afrikaans, and other of the South Africa’s 11 official languages. These rural villages operate often without electricity and running water, in houses constructed from a mixture of mud- brick and other cheap materials. The Zulu aristocracy still tends to play a major role in the leadership of rural Zulu people. Local amaKhosi (literally translated as “lords” or "chiefs") have a certain design over the people in their area.
Some rural Zulu people make their living selling baskets and beadwork to tourists and city folk, or they are subsistence farmers. However, a more often occurrence is for one family member to work in a nearby city, and to support the rest of the family from that income.
It is in the Townships, where the poorer Zulu people live - However, a large number of Zulu people are now members of the middle class, living in sub urban houses, enjoying middle class and first world jobs.
Music and singing styles of the Zulu people and their Nguni heritage are still highly regarded. Through this medium they communicate emotions and stories that cannot be done through ordinary conversation. Zulu music incorporates rhythm, melody, harmony and is loud and vibrant.
Food is an important part of their rituals and celebrations. Interesting traditional Zulu dishes include “uPhutu” (maize-meal porridge), “Isithambu”, Stamped maize, “umZumbe”, (kidney bean stew), “iklabishi” (cabbage), “ithanga” (pumpkin) and “isit shulu” (lamb stew).
However, it is at a Zulu wedding where their cultural food dishes, tradition, beading, ancestry, beer drinking, dancing, dress code, social structure and beliefs are best demonstrated.
In preparation, the beautiful bridesmaids prepare a lot of meat in big black pots hanging over open fires. Vegetables and the traditional meal, ‘putu’, which is apparently very healthy, will feed over 1000 guests! The meal is served on wooden plates and is eaten with wooden spoons.
Beer is central to the social culture of the Zulu's. And it is the women’s task of transporting the heavy load perfectly balanced on their heads. Traditionally, it is made from sorghum and is brewed by the women in a special hut that is not completely thatched. In this way, the smoke can escape and the beer gets enough oxygen to ferment. It is reportedly very nutritious and perfect for soothing stomach ulcers.
After the women have made the beer, which is called “tshwala”, it is placed in front of the groom - Only then is it shared with everyone under the brilliant hot Zululand sun!