Zulu Religion

The modern Zulu people have the right to choose what religion they wish to practice. Christianity and the traditional Zulu religion are both widespread among the population. Since there is a freedom of religion, there are many independent churches with Zulu clergy. Like most Christianity, it can be broken down into denominations like Catholic, Methodist, etc. The traditional Zulu religion is based upon honoring their ancestors, which they believe have a supernatural power over their earthly lives. These beliefs also deal with traditional medicines of the region. The religious healers or “isangomas” treat patients with traditional medicine. (Megan Russell n.d.)

 

 

 

Roger's Power Point Slides state:

"Religion is a belief and ritual concerned with the supernatural."

• Beings
• Powers/Forces

Religion is a distinctive symbolic expression of human life that interprets man himself and his universe, providing motives for human action (Edward Norbeck).

The traditional Zulu religion is based upon honoring their ancestors, which they believe have a supernatural power over their earthly lives. The Zulu used their religious beliefs to explain natural events that occurred around them in their environment.  The changes in the clouds, the highness of the heavens, the overflowing rivers, the frightening lightnings and thunderstorms; and for all of these occasions the Zulu would have religious ceremonies. They believe that there is a creator of the universe and that he is inside all of these natural events.

The Roles of Religion

}  Explanatory (Cognitive needs)

}  Psychologically reassuring

◦      Helps people face death and endure life crises.

}  Socially supportive (Emotional needs):

◦      Provides validations for existence.

◦      Motives for human action.

◦      A sanction for orderly human action

These beliefs also deal with traditional medicines of the region. The religious healers or “isangomas” or herbalists, treat patients with traditional medicine. These “witch doctors” use medicines made from plants and animals. The isangoma is skilled in making contact with the ancestral spirits and prescribes medicine for the illness. These isangoma go through a long apprenticeship and must have been sacredly called by the creator to become one. These witch doctors do things such as throwing bones and interpreting these as a patients medical diagnosis and treatment plan. The transmental diagnosis is extremely interesting in that the isangoma goes into a trace, brought on by herbal drugs, that determines what is wrong with the patient.

◦      The use of ritual and paraphernalia to compel or manipulate the supernatural to act in desired ways.

◦      Supernatural techniques intended to accomplish specific aims.

Works Cited

Megan Russell, Tamlin Armstrong and Sarah Dawson. AmaZulu: The Life of the Zulu Nation. n.d. http://library.thinkquest.org/27209/Modern.htm.

http://origin.org/ucs/doc.cfm?e=1&fg=3176&fi=1024

Zulu Traditional Religion
ZULU TRADITIONAL RELIGION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA by Lizo Doda Jafta Lecturer at the Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa, Natal