Zulu Culture

The Zulu are one of the most famous ethnic groups in Africa and possibly one of the most misunderstood. Of course that was due almost entirely to the fact that European colonial powers encountered the powerful group in the 19th century and found that they were more than willing to resist and fight them. At the height of its power in the southern part of Africa, the Zulu could rely on an army of 40,000 warriors, presenting a formidable obstacle to the designs of the British.

he African American holiday of Kwanzaa is a first fruits festival, inspired by the Zulu celebration Umkhosi Wokweshwama, also known as Umkhosi Woselwa. The story of The First Fruits Festival of Kwanzaa is about a boy named Shaka. He wants to attend the Umkhosi Wokweshwama to sing the ngoma for his ancestors. However, he does not know if he is strong enough to make the trip from America to South Africa because he suffers from sickle cell anemia. As Shaka navigates the festival and his ailment, listeners will be introduced to the Zulu culture and experience the Umkohsi Wokweshwama.