The Zulu Culture

The Zulu are the most popular of the sub-Saharan people of the Bantu ethnic group in South Africa. They’re considered the largest ethnic group in the country with an estimated 10-11 million people living in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Fashion

The Zulus wear a variety of attire, both traditional and westernized clothing. Traditionally, the women are dressed differently, and this is dependent on their relationship status whether they’re single, engaged or married. The men however, are seen in leather belts with two strips of hide hanging down front and back.

Food

The Zulu people tend to eat communally with several families cooking together. Most meals are cooked over an open fire. The Zulu people eat a variety of foods and fruits particular to their area.

Sweet potato chips flavored with cumin happen to be a common meal among the Zulu people. There is a special food called ‘Amazi’ also eaten by them. To achieve this, milk is added to a basket or gourd and set aside to curdle. Like cottage cheese, the curds are separated from the whey and consumed. The Amazi gourd is never cleaned, and is refilled immediately when it is emptied. The fact that it is not cleaned lends to the distinct taste of the Amazi.

Sweet potato chips flavored with cumin are often found at large Zulu community meals. Porridge is another very common meal among the Zulus people; and some other popular vegetables added to porridge, stir-fries or served alone include leeks, onions, cabbage, spinach and sunflower seeds. The native vegetables found at their meals are Amadumbe, Cassava, blackjack, Cleome, Morogo and Umfino.