The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, living mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

As the clans integrated, the rulership of Shaka brought success to the Zulu nation due to his improved military tactics and organization.

[citation needed] Zulus take pride in their ceremonies such as the Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, and their various forms of beadwork.

[2] The art and skill of beadwork take part in the identification of Zulu people and act as a form of communication and dedication to the nation and specific traditions.

As the nation began to develop, the rulership of Shaka brought the clans together to build a cohesive identity for the Zulu.

[citation needed] The Zulu nation's growth and strength were based on its military organization and skills during Shaka's reign and those of his successors.

The amabutho were housed in military barracks (singular, ikhanda; plural, amakhanda) located throughout the kingdom and under the command of a close relative to (or someone else appointed by) the king.

Shaka built a militarized system known as Impi featuring conscription, a standing army, new weaponry, regimentation, and encirclement battle tactics.

Zulu expansion was a major factor of the Mfecane ("Crushing") that depopulated large areas of southern Africa.

The regiment which was under Mzilikazi disobeyed Shaka and crafted a plan to continue raiding up-North forming another dialect of Zulu language referred to as Northern Ndebele (now in Zimbabwe).

Another group under Zwangendaba who was Shakas relative from the Gumbi Clan from Pongola and military commander trekked northwards crossing the Zambezi River at Chirundu in 1835 into Zambia setting up the Ngoni nation that extended to Malawi, Mozambique and Southern Tanzania.

[7] In mid-December 1878, envoys of the British crown delivered an ultimatum to 11 chiefs representing the then-current king of the Zulu empire, Cetshwayo.

[citation needed] After Cetshwayo's capture a month following his defeat, the British divided the Zulu Empire into 13 "kinglets".

[citation needed] This still did not stop the fighting and the Zulu monarch was forced to flee his realm by Zibhebhu, one of the 13 kinglets, supported by Boer mercenaries.

[citation needed] Under apartheid, the homeland of KwaZulu (Kwa meaning place of) was created for the Zulu people.

Inkatha was initially on good terms with the ANC, but the two organisations came into increasing conflict beginning in 1976 in the aftermath of the Soweto Uprising.

[10] The beaded elements complement the costumes worn by the Zulu people to bring out a sense of finery or prestige.

[10] During the transition from single to married women, beadwork is shown through a beaded cloth apron worn over a pleated leather skirt.

[12] As for older or mature women, beadwork is displayed in detailed headdresses and cowhide skirts that extend past the knee.

Zulus wear a variety of attire, both traditional for ceremonial or culturally celebratory occasions, and modern Westernised clothing for everyday use.

When a woman is pregnant she wears an "isibamba", a thick belt made from dried grass, covered with glass or plastic beadwork, to support her swelling stomach and its additional weight.

[11] The Zulu men are also in charge of herding the cattle, educating themselves on the lives of disciplined warriors, creating weapons, and learning the art of stick fighting.

[11] The women in Zulu society often perform domestic chores such as cleaning, raising children, collecting water and firewood, laundry, tending to crops, cooking, and making clothes.

Traditional Zulu religion includes belief in a creator God (uNkulunkulu) who is above interacting in day-to-day human life, although this belief appears to have originated from efforts by early Christian missionaries to frame the idea of the Christian God in Zulu terms.

Once the umoya leaves the body, the isithunzi may live on as an ancestral spirit (idlozi) only if certain conditions were met in life.

[18][19] Behaving with ubuntu, or showing respect and generosity towards others, enhances one's moral standing or prestige in the community, one's isithunzi.

Isaiah Shembe, considered the Zulu Messiah, presented a form of Christianity (the Nazareth Baptist Church) which incorporated traditional customs.

By tradition, a new regiment of young warriors is asked to confront a bull to prove its courage, inheriting the beast's strength as it expires.

[24] They found it too lenient to let the groom give whatever amount he wanted, so they decided to establish a specific number of cattle that would be needed before or at the start of the marriage.

[25] The payment of ilobolo can be difficult for some families, but as it is often considered a symbol of pride and respect, many are willing to maintain this tradition as long as possible.TV Shows • Shaka iLembe, 2023