Zulu

The Zulu (also known as Sulu) are a people living in southern Africa, particularly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. They are among the largest ethnic groups in the country. The term Zulu also refers to the language they speak, called isiZulu.

The Zulu are part of the Bantu-speaking peoples, meaning their language belongs to the Bantu language family that spread across central and southern Africa. Traditionally, they organized themselves into kingdoms and chiefdoms based on lineage.

Language

isiZulu is one of the official languages of South Africa. It has distinctive clicking sounds produced with the tongue and palate, which it shares with other Nguni languages such as Xhosa. Zulu and Xhosa are closely related, and some speakers can understand each other.

History

During the nineteenth century, the Zulu kingdom became a significant political and military power in the region. King Shaka brought together many Nguni chiefdoms and transformed warfare and military organization. Subsequently, the kingdom entered into conflicts with the Boers and the British; the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 resulted in the territory coming under British colonial rule.

Culture and society

Zulu culture includes group singing and dancing, decorative beadwork, and customs related to marriage and cattle. Cattle hold an important role in Zulu economics and cultural life. Today, most Zulu people live in urban areas and participate in modern South African society.