Durban Local Customs

The Zulu herbalist, medicine man or iSangoma play a very important role in the day to day life of urban inhabitants in Durban. Yet it is not surprising that one would find a Zulu pharmacy with many of the local herbs, roots or other items that are used in African medication.
This shop can be seen in Fishmarket Street close to the Victoria Street Market.

KwaZulu Natal is home to the Zulu nation. The tribe from "heaven" as Zulu means translated, was brought onto the world map by King Shaka who with fierce battles brought many of the smaller tribes under one group. His battle strategy was so advanced that he received the nickname the Black Napoleon. Even during the wars against the British the Zulus had a few victories.
Today Shaka still plays a very important role as the old leader of the Zulus and hence KwaZulu Natal has a King to this day.

THE STORY OF SHAKA – KING OF THE ZULU’S

Long ago, in 1789, in the rolling green hills of Zululand, a Zulu woman called Nandi gave birth to an unwanted and illegitimate child. The child’s father, Senzangakona, from the clan of Zulu, wanted nothing to do with them and the tribal elders sent a message to Nandi saying "the girl has a beetle (shaka) in her belly". Nandi was relegated to the lowly position of third wife. When Shaka was six years old he allowed a dog to kill one of Senzangakona’s sheep and from that day forth, Shaka and Nandi were cast out by the Zulu clan.

In shame, they were forced to return to the clan of Nandi’s family. Shaka hated living with his mother’s family, they were treated as outcasts and he continuously suffered the cruel, taunting of the other children who referred to him as "the fatherless one." The family were forced to move around from clan to clan until they found a degree of acceptance by the Mtetwa tribe. Shaka grew to young manhood herding sheep and cattle. He showed extraordinary bravery in protecting the animals under his care, and one day killed a leopard single handedly using two throwing spears and a club.

At the age of twenty-one, Shaka became a soldier and distinguished himself in battle under the Mtetwa chieftain Dingiswayo. Shaka proved to be an excellent military strategist and introduced changes in battle methods that were to be a great success. Dingiswayo was a good leader of his people, and under his protection, Shaka grew into a rich and important person. One day Senzangakona came to pay homage to Dingiswayo and was gratified to find that his son had become a great man. He promised Shaka the chieftainship of the Zulu clan after his death. However Senzangakona bowed to the pressure of his wives, and after his death, Shaka’s young half-brother, Sugujana became chief. When Shaka heard the news he broke into a great rage and killed the new chief in battle.

The Zulu are a proud tribe native to the KwaZuluNatal province of South Africa. Historically the Zulu were a mighty warrior nation and are believed to be descendants of the patriarch Zulu, the son of a Nguni chief in the Congo basin in central Africa. Apartheid textbooks taught that South Africa was virtually empty of human habitation when colonised by the Dutch in 1652. The reality is that the Zulu people began to migrate towards their present location in Natal during the 16th century.

A crucial turning point in Zulu history occurred during the reign of Shaka as king of the Zulu’s from 1816 to 1828. Prior to his rule the Zulu’s consisted of numerous clans that were related but disorganised. Shaka was a mighty and fearsome warrior and united the clans into a single powerful tribe. He introduced a new system of military organisation and revolutionised his army’s weaponry and military tactics. He introduced new battle formations that left his enemies outflanked and confused. He was a strict and brutal disciplinarian, soldiers were required to remain celibate and a violation of this rule was punishable by death. Shaka increased the power of his tribe. Conquered clans and tribes were incorporated into the Zulu nation and in eleven years he increased their number from 1500 people to 50 000 warriors alone.

From the time of Shaka onwards, the Zulu’s fought many wars to keep from being dominated by the British settlers. The final Zulu uprising before succumbing to the British was lead by Chief Bambatha in 1906. From then on the tribe that had once been master of much of the eastern coastal regions and interior of South Africa, was subjected to an increasingly harsh series of racist laws that led to poverty and disempowerment.

Those bicycles are made as a souvenir, but I have seen children playing with them. Also with small cars, made of wire. 4 wheels, about 25 cm long, and with a rope to pull it. In Zambia and the poor parts of South Africa it was the number 1 toy for toddlers (and bigger).
I have seen a man make them, very handy and quick.

Drive to Zululand , passing the rolling hills of sugar cane fields and forest plantations. Visit a Zulu kraal near Mtubatuba. Cultural programme of Zulu traditions : beer brewing, spear making, hut building, pottery, weaving, traditional dress, Zulu etiquette and the layout and social structure of a kraal. Singing and tribal dancing. Typical Zulu meal served in the boma. Afternoon game viewing in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for its wide variety of bird and animal life including the famous white rhino. Dinner and overnight at Hilltop camp, situated high on the edge of a steep forested slope overlooking the hills of the Hluhluwe Reserve.

Drive to Zululand passing the rolling hills of sugar cane fields and forest plantations. Visit Shakaland, a Zulu kraal, near Eshowe, in the Nkwalini valley. Cultural programme of Zulu traditions: beer brewing, spear making, hut building, pottery, weaving, traditional dress, Zulu etiquette and the layout and social structure of a kraal. Singing and tribal dancing. Typical Zulu meal served in an open rondavel overlooking Goedetru dam.

Drive through the suburbs of Westville and residential area of Kloof . Visit a crocodile farm and a snake park situated in the magnificent Valley of 1000 Hills . Zulu kraal which includes an informative talk about Zulu traditions and a display of tribal dancing.