Sharing the Zulu Culture with Our International Partners

BY: .

The UKZN International Office hosted a meeting between cultural experts from the School of Arts (African Languages); Ms Kerstin Sommer, a visitor from Germany; as well as Ms Yeona Lee, an exchange student from South Korea currently taking an isiZulu module.

The meeting had an informal tone, with each expert sharing their insightful knowledge of the Zulu culture. In attendance were Dr Gugulethu Mazibuko, Professor Sihawukele Ngubane, Ms Gugulethu Mkhize, and Ms Sindisiwe Ndaba. Ms Sindiswa Zulu, a Zulu poet, published author and UKZN student, provided entertainment.

Mazibuko gave a brief background on the history of the Zulu kingdom, which she referred to as the ‘biggest (kingdom) in South Africa,’ She spoke of King Shaka Zulu, who united many tribes to form one great Zulu nation.

Among the topics covered was the importance of naming a child - in the Zulu culture, a person’s name often has a meaning behind it determined by the circumstances surrounding their birth. Ngubane spoke on the imbeleko ceremony, a traditional ceremony through which a baby or child is formally introduced to their ancestors. This ceremony is especially sacred as it creates a connection between the child and their family’s ancestors.

Before the meeting ended, Ms Sindiswa Zulu recited a heartwarming Zulu poem. ‘This poem speaks about how I wanted to forever live in that moment when my grandmother was telling me stories around the fire,’ she said. After the poem, she performed a song using a Zulu musical instrument called umakhweyana to which all those in attendance joined in.

Sommer praised the Zulu nation for its communal spirit and highlighted how in other societal settings and cultures, that spirit has been lost.

Words: Sinenhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Photographs: Nkosikhona Gcabashe