The Zulu: An A-Z of Culture and Traditions, by Ulrich von Kapff

The Zulu: An A-Z of Culture and Traditions, by Ulrich von Kapff. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Travel & Heritage. Cape Town, South Africa 2012. ISBN 9781770079298 / ISBN 978-1-77007-929-8

The Zulu: An A-Z of Culture and Traditions, by Ulrich von Kapff is the perfect memento for readers fascinated by the history and culture of South Africa’s largest ethnic society.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF GIRLS
In traditional Zulu culture, women are regarded as inferior to men in status and societal value and are cared for accordingly. However this does not necessarily mean that they are treated badly or are dissatisfied with their situation. From the age of five a daughter is gradually introduced to the household tasks until approximately six years later, when she is expected to be a real help to her mother Initially she is given a small gourd and accompanies her mother to the water source. There, her mother first fills a much larger container while the daughter watches; the daughter is then allowed to fill her gourd under her mother's supervision. Next, the mother plaits two izinkatha (head supports) made of grass. This is to enable the child to carry the load more comfortably on her head. The child arrives back well showered and with little water left in her gourd. After a few lessons, she learns the method and is able to carry the varying loads, even when running, without using her hands. Further lessons take place in the field. The girl carries a small gourd filled with seeds that her mother hoes into the soil. In time, the daughter learns the correct technique of sowing and hoeing. On her eleventh birth-ay she is given her own light hoe. Also by the time she is 11, a young girl knows which firewood to collect and can lake a good fire for cooking, prepare some dishes for eating and look after younger brothers and sisters.

DUTIES AND TASKS OF MEN AND WOMEN
Traditionally, household tasks and duties are clearly divided between men and women. As in most cultures, the women are assigned the less attractive set, and they have little free time. Men rarely work hard. The man defends his family and his land, and takes part in meetings to hear news and directives. He receives and entertains guests; puts up enclosures and the basic structure of the hut; carves milking pails, spoons, plates, clubs and spears; and, if the need arises, fetches the traditional healer He is in complete control of the family's possesions and everything belongs to him - his wife owns nothing. The older sons have the privilege of getting involved in decision-making processes regarding general family affairs, but a man only occasionally consults his wife. All business transactions are undertaken by the husband, and agreements have no validity without his consent. Everything involving the cattle is exclusively his domain and younger women may not even enter the cattle enclosure, according to custom. A Zulu wife looks after the children day and night, cultivates and harvests fields, collects firewood, cooks, embroiders, sews and mends, brews beer for daily consumption, makes pots, irries water to the homestead and serves her husband - the list other duties is long.

THE ROLES OF OLDER PEOPLE
In traditional Zulu culture, women, in contrast to their role in traditional Western culture, take over ever more responsibilities with advancing age. This is particularly the case with the chief's mother. Grandmothers have great influence and make final decisions, unless these concern disciplinary or financial matters. In accordance with her status in a family, the grandmother lives in the large hut of the ancestors in the homestead. After her death, the hut stays uninhabited and is used only for meetings and rituals. [...]

This is an excerpt from The Zulu: An A-Z of Culture and Traditions, by Ulrich von Kapff.

Title: The Zulu
Subtitle: An A-Z of Culture and Traditions
Author: Ulrich von Kapff
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Travel & Heritage
Cape Town, South Africa 2012
ISBN 9781770079298 / ISBN 978-1-77007-929-8
Softcover, 20 x 18 cm, 95 pages, throughout colour photos, 1 map