I met my client at one of the Durban hotels and as it was a large group than my vehicle can take we rented a larger vehicle to conduct the Durban Day Tour in.
Our destination was Shakaland 160 km from the city of Durban and a functional Zulu cultural village where the film “Shaka Zulu: was filmed in the 1980’s.
The drive to Shakaland is very interesting with the History of the Zulus being covered by myself as the guide as well as the general history of Durban and KwaZulu Natal.
Shakaland itself is full of interesting history and culture and of course the traditional lunch we have is always great. The clients on this Durban Day Tour were very interested in the Zulu Beer until it came to tasting it! They soon realised we share the pot and pass it around, that seems to put most of them off tasting the good stuff.
Once we arrived at Shakaland we began with understanding how a Zulu village operates by looking at a model of a traditional Zulu Homestead or Umuzi.
Shakaland the depiction of a Zulu Homestead or Umuzi
Shakaland the depiction of a Zulu Homestead or Umuzi
As we continued on we watched a short video clip in Spanish so the clients could understand better. This Video clip shows sections of the life of the Great King Shaka kaSenzangakhona. It is a great tool to help people understand the history of Shaka and the Zulu nation.
Asking for permission to enter the Homestead at Shakaland on our Durban Tour
Asking for permission to enter the Homestead at Shakaland on our Durban Tour
It is always very important to ask permission to enter into a Zulu Umuzi to show respect and of course so the King knows who to expect… either friend or foe.
Durban Day Tour to Shakaland. The Chiefs 1st wife weaves a grass mat for sleeping.
Durban Day Tour to Shakaland. The Chiefs 1st wife weaves a grass mat for sleeping
The Chiefs 1st wife of this Zulu village weaves a grass mate for sleeping on. In traditional Zulu culture grass mats are used to separate the body from the floors polishes with cow dung.
Durban Day Tour a Zulu wife strains the traditional Zulu beer at Shakaland
Durban Day Tour a Zulu wife strains the traditional Zulu beer at Shakaland
In Zulu Culture the women do all the cooking and making of the Zulu beer which the men drink! She above is straining the beer out and keeping the ingredients inside the Isivovo. The ingredients of Maize, Maize malt and Saugum(which I cant spell) is all that is used apart from the water to make the Zulu beer.
Spear throwing demonstration at Shakaland on our Durban day Tour
Spear throwing demonstration at Shakaland on our Durban day Tour
We were very lucky to witness the display of spear throwing on our Durban Day Tour, something which was done up until King Shaka invented the Short stabbing spear.
Zulu demonstrating how the Zulus Porned the hearts of the British at Isandwana in 1879
Zulu demonstrating how the Zulus Porned the hearts of the British at Isandwana in 1879
It was during the great Anglo-Zulu wars in 1879 that King Cetswayo use the late king Shakas invention to good use and defeated the British at the Battle of Isandlwana.
Zulu girl demostrates how to carry a clay pot on her head during our Durban Day Tour to Shakaland
Zulu girl demostrates how to carry a clay pot on her head during our Durban Day Tour to Shakaland
Clay pot was a great big part of Zulu Culture and were used for may different things like carrying water, holding beer, and separating Sour milk from the fluid.
Inyanga medicine man and the Sangoma the fortune teller at Shakaland during our Durban Day Tour
Inyanga medicine man and the Sangoma the fortune teller at Shakaland during our Durban Day Tour
We entered into the Hut of the two most important people in the Umuzi excepting the Chief and his wives. This hut belongs to the Inyanga and the Sangoma. Please note the Elephant skull and these Pythons skin up the pole.
The chief sits just before the drinking of Zulu Beer
The chief sits just before the drinking of Zulu Beer
It is only the chief or royalty that are allowed to wear the skins or Leopard or Lions. These animals are considered Royal game.
After the drinking of the Zulu beer we moved on to the craft market and the clients could buy a few curios and things to take back as gifts for family and friends.
We then entered into the Dancing hut where for half an hours the Zulu community performed there traditional Dancing for us. I have added a short video clip of what you can expect but its not the best video ive ever taken…
Click this link to the Video of the Zulu Dancing at Shakaland.
After the dancing we headed down for some lunch and then a spot of shopping.
Once the clients were happy we departed back to Durban. We returned back after a great Durban Day Tour to Shakaland and the clients were very happy.
