Buzzing Around The World With Fellette & Doug

Shakaland...

Today we are in Richards Bay, South Africa. We went on a "Cultural Experience" to Shakaland about one hour out of the city. It is the Site that was used to make the movie Shaka Zulu in the 80's. It was turned into a cultural centre and a resort area. The buildings, fences, etc., and all the structures except a few block buildings are constructed in the original method, using the correct materials as well. It is a very well kept complex.

All the people except some tradespeople fixing a water line and the shopkeeper were dressed as Zulus did in the time when they were trying to keep their land from being taken over by settlers. [1820's?]. According to our guide today, the Zulus are the largest single ethnic group in South Africa, about 7,000,000. They do not consider themselves to be South Africans, but Zulus. They have a fair amount of silent power because of their sheer numbers.

In their culture Zulus can have more than one wife. But, by law in South Africa, polygamous marriages are not allowed. Therefore because of that and other issues there is some unresolved issues between the Zulus and the government. The SA government does not wish to upset them because they still have a King, with great power over them. They would obey their King, not the SA government if push came to shove. Sounds familiar if you live in Canada.

We were shown a 15 minute introductory film, excerpts from Shaka Zulu, with a commentary, then the tour of the village started. At various stops throughout we were shown the routine of every day live in a Zulu village. Making mats, grinding corn, etc. In their culture the women do ALL the work, the men look after their animals, mainly cattle, and when required go to war. I believe that the bellys on some of the men is a result of the beer that is a large part of the man's diet. They are a very pleasant to look at, but in their atire are a fierce looking group of people, the women all appear a bit sullen. I wonder why.

On the way out to Shakaland our guide gave us a bit of the ground rules about Zulu culture. A sign of wealth is the number of cattle and wives a man has. A 'new' wife costs 11 cattle, one for the mother of the bride and 10 for the father. A widow costs 10 cattle, less one animal for each child she has. Men always eat first and the women follow behind when walking. We were asked to observe these customs as much as possible while in the village. Some men tried to but the women weren't having any of it.

The lunch was a combination of African foods and conventional buffet fare. All of it was good.

The highlight of the day, for me at least, was an exhibition of dancing and drumming inside a large, dome-shaped, thatched roof Zulu 'big house.' We sat on cement stepped rows around the perimeter, mesmerised. It was absolutely sweltering inside and the music was deafening. It was wonderful! A video photographers dream. I think everybody that went on this one had a good time.

At least that's the way I saw it.

The photos were all taken outside, the inside dancing was too dark for good shots with my still camera, but fine for video.

It is hard to believe but in the past seven days, five have been in ports in South Africa, and Zulu-like dancing and drumming has been on the agenda each port day in some way. I think I need a rest from it. We are looking forward to three sea days before we hopefully get ashore in Madagascar.

posted by Doug and Fellette @ 7:46 AM