The secret behind the Zulu traditional homes and their culture

Traditional homesteads are called "umuzi" in Zulu. Is a cluster of dwellings for a family.

A large cluster of households in kwaZulu Natal comprises of up to 800 homesteads which falls under a lower chief called "Induna". Clusters within a region usually fall under the care of "Inkosi". Land in the olden Zulu days was not owned by individuals but it was administered by the king.

Traditional Zulu homestead is a circular in shape, consisting of a number of round homes encircled by a stockade made of tamboti wood, which is poisonous to insects. Since there are few wild animals walking free, people do not bother to build stockades. A hedge or a small fence usually prevents goats and cattle from straying around and also putted around the house.

Zulu Traditional Home

The building of a Zulu home in Zulu culture is the man's responsibility. In order for this house to stand men and women would gather to help build the house.

The women weave the ropes and mats used for used for building, and also weave the top notch of the house. The mats are wound around the the sapling framework, from bottom to the top.

For the floor the women plastered with mixture of cow dung and ant-heap soil, which was smeared on the ground. Only one door is as a point of entrance and exit. Normally this entrances were made to be lower, to such a point that when anyone enters will sort of bow his body.

At least the houses will last for about ten to fifteen years before any rebuilding could be done. What happens mostly is that, the family keeps on building other houses just next to the one that before it falls down or they themselves bring it down.