Zulus

The Zulus are a Southern African ethnic group whose traditional homeland is primarily KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They are part of the Nguni branch of the Bantu peoples, and the term Zulu can refer to either the people or the isiZulu language, which is spoken by most Zulu people. The Zulu nation has a broad presence in South Africa and a diaspora in neighboring countries and urban centers.

IsiZulu is a Bantu language in the Nguni group and is one of South Africa’s official languages. Zulu society has historically organized itself around clans and a royal lineage, with traditional authority centered in a monarchy. In the early 19th century, Shaka Zulu implemented centralized governance and a reorganized military structure that reshaped Zulu society and influenced the region’s history.

Historically, the rise of the Zulu kingdom under Shaka contributed to the Mfecane, a period of widespread upheaval across southern Africa. After Shaka’s death, the kingdom experienced internal succession struggles and external pressures from neighboring groups and European colonists. In 1879, the Anglo-Zulu War brought dramatic clashes, including the famous defeats and victories at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Following the war, the Zulu state lost its sovereignty and became part of the Natal colony, later incorporated into the Union of South Africa.

In modern times, the Zulu are one of South Africa’s largest ethnic groups, concentrated in KwaZulu-Natal with communities throughout the country. IsiZulu is widely spoken and culturally significant, contributing to South Africa’s diversity. Zulu culture features distinctive beadwork, music, dance, and ceremonies, alongside contemporary governance and national institutions.