In Zulu cosmology, the religious beliefs and spiritual practices revolve around a complex system of deities. The Zulu community believes in Unkulunkulu, an all-powerful and supreme being considered the “greatest of the great.” Unkulunkulu is the source of power, knowledge, and wisdom.
The community considers him as the first man and ancestor. However, the people do not directly worship him because they believe he is too good to interact with humans. Ancestors play a significant role in the Zulu religion, acting as intermediaries between the living and Unkulunkulu.
According to Zulu storytelling, Unkulunkulu was created in Umhlanga before descending to Earth and creating everything, including animals, water, mountains, the moon, the sun, and humans. He also sent conflicting messages through a chameleon and a lizard. This resulted in humans not living forever but becoming ancestors. The community believes the Ancestors have great power and control over natural forces.
They consult the ancestors through diviners known as sangomas. They communicate with their ancestors to provide guidance and perform rituals. The community views Death as a transition into ancestry, and they discourage mourning as they believe that the personality or shadow of the deceased becomes an ancestral spirit.
In addition to Unkulunkulu, the Zulu community acknowledges other gods or goddesses associated with animals or natural phenomena. These include:
- Nomkhubulwane, the goddess of fertility, agriculture, and rain; Umvelinqangi/Usondo, the god of thunder and earthquake;
- Nomhoyi/Mamlambo, the goddess of rivers;
- iNyanga, the goddess of the moon; Sonzwaphi, the god of healing;
- uNomkhubulwana/iNkosazana, the princess of heaven and abundance.
Ancestor worship is an essential part of the Zulu religion. The community believe that ancestors reside in the spirit world with Unkulunkulu. They act as a connection between the living and the divine. The Zulu people connect with their ancestors through sangomas. The community initiate these through an illness and undergoes training to develop their skills in healing, dream interpretation, and communication with their ancestors.
Sangomas play various roles in the community, such as protecting warriors and directing rituals.
Zulu people make offerings and sacrifices to their ancestors, including slaughtering animals and brewing traditional beer. These offerings serve as a means of acknowledging and maintaining a connection with the ancestors. They help express gratitude for blessings and seek their intervention in various aspects of life.
The community also performs different ceremonies, such as thanksgiving and scolding ceremonies, according to circumstances. While Zulu people strongly adhere to traditional religious beliefs, Christianity has also influenced many. Catholicism and Protestantism are the common denominations practised. American and European missionaries introduced Christianity and initially faced resistance but now coexist with ancestral beliefs.
Zulu Christians often combine ancestral offerings with Christian prayers. Some churches, such as the Ibandla IamaNazaretha or Shembe church, blend both belief systems and are popular in rural Zulu communities. These churches worship through song, dance, and unique beaded accessories.
Zulu cosmology and mythology may also vary among different communities, and the significance of deities can also vary. This is only a general overview of some of the prominent deities in Zulu cosmology. Still, regional or local variations may emphasize different deities or include additional ones.
