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Zulu people of South Africa

##Zulu people of South Africa IsiZulu, the language of the Zulu People, has the most speakers off all eleven official languages of South Africa. They are a people with a proud military tradition, starting with the remarkable history of king Shaka. Even today, in modern South Africa, the Zulu nation has a king, recognized by the Government of South Africa.

Overview

#Zulu people of South Africa A person who has isiZulu as home language is referred to as a Zulu. IsiZulu is South Africa's largest language group (22.7% - 2011 census).

The Zulu nation is a proud people with a very rich historical and cultural heritage. The chief reason for their fame is to be found in the heritage of the legendary Zulu king Shaka. He lived and ruled in the early 19th century. Under his leadership the Zulu's became the dominant force north of the former Cape Colony.

Shaka's military skills as tactician and strategist is still marveled at today. Not only other African tribes, but also European nations who ventured into his domain, suffered under his influence. Shaka reshaped the demography of Southern Africa by his twin campaigns of "conquer and incorporate" and "conquer and destroy".

Present day Zulus are mostly still very active participants of their culture. Because they have such a proud military history the hierarchy of Zulu society has an almost military structure to it. The foot soldiers are known as impi's (Zulu warriors). At cultural gatherings traditionally dressed Zulu impi's will gather in their thousands with 'knobkieries', spears and cow-hide shields.

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