www.africancraftsmarket.com - (Producers and suppliers of fine African handcrafted
Arts and crafts shipped to the international market)
AFRICAN TRIBES
& PEOPLE - ZULU
The Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. They are well
known for their beautiful brightly colored beads and baskets as well as other
small carvings.
The Zulu believe that they are descendants from a chief
from the Congo area, and in the 16th century migrated south picking up many of
the traditions and customs of the San who also inhabited this South African area.
During the 17th and 18th centuries many of the most powerful chiefs made treaties
and gave control of the Zulu villages to the British. This caused much conflict
because the Zulu had strong patriarchal village government systems so they fought
against the British but could not  win because of the small strength they possessed. Finally, after much of the Zulu
area had been given to the British the Zulu people decided as a whole that they
didn't want to be under British rule and in 1879 war erupted between the British
and the Zulu. Though the Zulu succeeded at first they were in 6 months conquered
by the British who exiled the Zulu Kings and divided up the Zulu kingdom. In 1906
another Zulu uprising was lead and the Zulu continue to try to gain back what
they consider to be their ancient kingdom.
The Zulu believe in a creator
god known as Nkulunkulu, but this god does not interact with humans and has no
interest in everyday life. Therefore, most Zulu's interact on a day to day level
with the spirits. In order to interact with the spirits the Zulu must use divination
to interact with the ancestors. All misfortune is a result of a evil sorcery or
offended spirits, nothing just happens because of natural causes. The
Zulu are best known for their bead work and basketry. There
have also been some figural sculpture questionably attributed to them. Zulu architecture
is quite complex, and the dress or fashion of the Zulu has been carefully studied.
Zulu and Zulu shields have become well known all around the world   Rural Zulu  raise cattle and farm corn and vegetables for subsistence purposes.
The men and herd boys are primarily responsible for the cows, which are grazed
in the open country, while the women do most,if not all, of the planting and
harvesting. The
most famous Zulu warrior, Shaka Zulu, who, after the death of his father Senzangakhona,
conquered many nations and amalgamated them under his reign, thus creating a huge
Zulu nation. The name AmaZulu literally means the people of heaven. Shaka was
the third born son of Senzangakhona. When Senzangakhona died in 1816, Shaka took
over the reigns and within a time period of twelve years he became the greatest
leader of his time. He formed the  phenomenal nation of the Zulu people. During
his wars that were known as Mfecane (or Difaqane), many people fled KwaZulu-Natal,
then known as Natal, and moved north, spreading along their paths the IsiZulu
language. In 1828 Dingaan,Shakas brother, assassinated him. After Shakas death
in 1828, Dingaan became the king of the Zulu's but was killed in the battle of
Ncome. However, the Zulu people won this battle. Cetshwayo, his brother, took
over the reigns and in 1879 the Zulu warriors defeated the British in the battle
of Isandlwana. In 1887 the British annexed Natal, today known as KwaZulu-Natal,
and later incorporated Natal into a colony. Many of the cultures, customs, and
traditions of Shakas time remain the corner stones of the Zulu people, and each
year the Zulu nation celebrates the Heritage Day during which they commemorate
their hero, Shaka Zulu and also revive their cultural traditions.
There are about 11 million Zulu people in South Africa today.
    
A selection of a few Zulu shield choices available from African Crafts Market.
Click here Learn about more African
tribes and traditions
AFRICAN
CRAFTS MARKET is a company situated in South Africa that has many
African pieces of art available for sale, from the lovely Ashanti Fertility
dolls and Talking drums through the traditional Masks and cloth. To view the items that may be of interests to you go to our gallery
pages on our website at www.africancraftsmarket.com
Abstract art~ African
figures ~ African busts ~ animal
skins ~ Tribal Zulu / Ndebele bead work ~ candles ~ candle holders ~ African canes ~ chessboards ~ clay art ~ cooking
utensil ~ cushions ~ Tribal
drums ~ footwear ~ furniture ~ gemstones ~ hats ~ animal
horns ~ handmade jewelry ~ lights
& lamp shades ~leather ~ African
tribal masks ~ decoupage ostrich eggs ~ paintings ~ postcards ~ Zulu shields ~ stone
animals ~ stone eggs ~ tablecloths ~ tableware ~
~ wire art ~ wood animals ~ wood tableware ~ Zulu
woven baskets
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