 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 15,723,791[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 South Africa | 15,124,191[2][3] |
 Zimbabwe | 207,000[2] |
 Lesotho | 204,000[2] |
 Eswatini | 99,000[2] |
 Malawi | 76,000[2] |
 Mozambique | 6,900[2] |
 Botswana | 6,700[2] |
| Languages | |
| Zulu Tsonga, Sotho, Xhosa, English | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Zulu religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Xhosa, Swazi, Hlubi, Thembu people, Southern Ndebele, Northern Ndebele and Ngoni, San people | |
| Zulu | |
|---|---|
| Person | UmZulu |
| People | AmaZulu |
| Language | IsiZulu |
| Country | KwaZulu |
Zulu people (/ˈzuːluː/; Zulu: amaZulu) are a native people of Southern Africa of the Nguni. The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group and nation in South Africa, with an estimated 14.39 million people, in total of which 13.78 million people live in South Africa, mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.[4][5]
They originated from Nguni communities who took part in the Bantu migrations over millennia. As the clans integrated, the rulership of Shaka brought success to the Zulu nation due to his improved military tactics and organization.
Zulus take pride in their ceremonies such as the Umhlanga, or Reed Dance, and their various forms of beadwork.
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. Today the Zulu people are predominately Christian, but have created a syncretic religion that is combined with the Zulu's prior belief systems.[6]
- ^ "Census 2022: Statistical Release" (PDF). statssa.gov.za. 10 October 2023. p. 6. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Zulu people group are reported in 7 countries". Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ International Marketing Council of South Africa (9 July 2003). "South Africa grows to 44.8". www.southafrica.info. Archived from the original on 22 May 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2005.
- ^ "Zulu - Worldwide distribution". Worlddata.info. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ Project, Joshua. "Zulu in South Africa". joshuaproject.net. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Groenewald, H. C. (2003). "Zulu Oral Art". Oral Tradition. 18 (1): 87–90. doi:10.1353/ort.2004.0017. ISSN 1542-4308.