South Africa celebrates the nation's diverse culture and rich heritage during Heritage Month in September. Earlier this week, on Heritage Day, millions day celebrated their cultures, promoting national unity, while encouraging South Africans to embrace it’s multicultural society.

IOL looks into the traditions and customs of various cultural groups to gain a deeper understanding of their way of life.

The Zulu people are a native people of Southern Africa of the Nguni. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, mostly populated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Amabutho (Zulu warriors) headmen and chiefs in full regalia. The Zulu tribe is one of the most widely known tribes in Africa, mainly because of the very vital part that it played in the continent's history. Picture: Shelley Kjonstad/IndependentNewspapers

The Zulu nation is led by King Misuzulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini. King Misuzulu was the oldest son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and Great Wife, Queen Regent Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu. Queen Mantfombi was the daughter of Swati King Sobhudla II.

AmaZulu King Misuzulu Zulu. File Picture: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers

One of the Zulu people’s famous kings was king Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also known as Shaka Zulu, the warrior who is credited for uniting the Zulu nation.

The Zulu people also practise Zulu reed dance (Umkhosi Womhlanga). The Zulu reed dance is an annual event that celebrates Zulu culture when young Zulu girls prepare for womanhood by singing, dancing and other activities, as well as presenting cut reeds to their King.

Maidens present their reeds going to the Royal Palace during the annual Reed Dance. The girls come to the kingdom to declare their virginity and the ceremony encourages girls and young women to abstain from sexual activity to curb the spread of HIV and unwanted teen pregnancies. File Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng/Independent Newspapers

Ntombifuthi Shinga, who spoke to IOL about the importance of heritage, describes heritage as people’s values, traditions and history.

“Heritage is more than just food, attire and dancing, but rather a profound connection to the past that is passed down from one generation to the next,” she said.

Funerals

Shinga provided fascinating insights into the customs of the Zulu culture in the olden days. She emphasised that life was simpler, with fewer societal expectations.

Funerals, for example, were a community event back then. Each household would come out to help out with the funeral arrangements in different forms and aspects.

“Livestock played a significant role, as families would slaughter a goat from the kraal to provide food for the funeral. Traditional dishes such as samp, maize meal, and isgwaqane were commonly served during these dark times,” she said.

Traditional Zulu wedding

On the other hand, Shinga said Zulu weddings were vibrant and colourful events, with specific attire for both men and women.

“Women wore isdwaba, a traditional garment for women, while men wore ibheshu,” said Shinga.

She also shared that young girls would wear isgege, a garment designed to cover only the front part of their bodies while leaving their backs exposed.

@shandueminenhle We had photo shoot for Zulubrides yesterday 😊 do check them out on Instagram @zulubrides for these beautiful Zulu attires 🥰#fyp #zulu #tiktoksa ♬ original sound - Noluthando Ngobese

Sandile Zungu's wife Nozipho Magubane entered with a Zulu dance during their traditional wedding held at Emahenyeni Farm Lodge in Balgowan, in the KZN Midlands on Saturday. File Picture:Tumi Pakkies/Independent Newspapers

Traditional beverages

Traditional Zulu beverages, including umqombothi, ijuba, and obhokweni, were shared during communal gatherings.

These gatherings were characterised by the joyous singing of traditional songs and energetic Zulu dances.

Traditional Food

Furthermore, Shinga also said that the food of the Zulu people in the olden days consisted of traditional foods such as samp, isgwabha, yams, sweet potatoes, maas and many more.

“These staple foods were very important to our way of life. They showed that our land was rich and fertile and it gave us everything we needed to survive,” she said.

The preparation of these foods was steeped in tradition, with maize meal being a fundamental ingredient in many dishes.

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