Zulu Origin Mythology
Zulu mythology, Is based on the Indigenous religion located in South Africa. In Zulu mythology, the indigenous people believe in their Creator Unkulunkulu.
According to the Zulu myth creation story; before any sight of man or any creature roamed the earth, the earth was covered with darkness and there was one single seed. And that single seed went deep into the earth, and from that seed long reeds began to grow from it. From those reeds which were also called Uthlanga: which means the source of all things. And slowly the first reed that grew, turned out to grow into a man, and he was called Unkulunkulu. He was known for being the creator of all things, and the larger he continued to grow the heavier he became. And when he finally became fully grown he broke off the reed and fell onto earth, and he began to roam the earth and seen that the other reeds were producing men and women. Unkulukulu then broke off the first men and women, medicine men and their dreams, he pulled off the cattle, the birds, and all of the animals. He then began to create the mountains, lakes, valleys, the elements such as wind, rain, the sun and the moon. Unkulukulu also taught the men and women on how to hunt, make fire and how to cloth their selves. |
Zulu women taking part in a ritual.Depiction of Unkulunkulu, Zulu creator. |
When he was done with everything, he decided to send a chameleon into the village to warn his people that they will never die. But the chameleon was moving very slow to do his mission, after several days past Unkulukulu grew impatient and sent another lizard but with speed. This lizard’s mission was to send the message that death is coming. The lizard made it and told the people, short thereafter death had came. the lizard has not left the people since then. |
Lizard, representation of Unkulukulu's actions. |