I met my clients which were a group out for a conference in Durban, at one of the beach front hotels.
Three of my clients had already been with me for the past 3 days on a Durban Big 5 Safari in Hluhluwe Imfolozi game reserve. It is always great to show off the different areas that KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa has to offer and today was no different!
We took a leisurely drive up into the Valley of 1000 Hills and stopped at PheZulu Safari park where we would enjoy some of the views, the curios shop, Reptile park and then the Zulu Cultural village.
Although some of my clients were not to keen on the reptile side of things they all agreed to give it a go! The Valley of 1000 Hills was once home to a Cannibalistic tribe which were chased buy the Zulus into the 1000 Hills. It was here the took refuge against the great Zulu King and his Impis (Soldiers). Unfortunately the lack of food caused them to turn on themselves in a cannibalistic nature.
Anyway the Reptile Park where we looked as Snakes, Crocodiles and Tortoises was great and a new experience for some. It is always a great place to see some of the countries most venomous snakes behind glass and learn more about the complex venom’s they possess!
I stupidly left my camera in the car for this one but did take it on the Zulu cultural Tour.
At 11:30 it was time to go to the Zulu Cultural village and educate ourselves on the complex history behind the Zulu Nation. It was spectacular as ever and the Zulu Dancing and singing was great led by Chief Gaza the leader of this village who already has 3 wives.
Zulu Boy celebrates after the acceptance of his marriage proposal during our Durban half Day Tour to the Valley of 1000 Hills
Zulu Boy celebrates after the acceptance of his marriage proposal during our Durban half Day Tour to the Valley of 1000 Hills
In Zulu Culture you can have any number of Wives you want but you have to pay “Ilobola” a dowry out of respect to the parents of the girl and also to prove you can afford to take care of their daughter.
Zulu boy consults the Sangomas or fortune tellers about his new wife to be during our Durban Zulu Cultural Tour
Zulu boy consults the Sangomas or fortune tellers about his new wife to be during our Durban Zulu Cultural Tour
After the acceptance of a proposal the Zulu man consults the fortune tellers of the Sangoma and requested a look into his future. It is at this point that the man can still change his mind if the Sangoma says the girl he wishes to marry is infertile etc
In Zulu Culture it is important to have lots of children so that the kids can help around the home, work in the fields, look after the Cows, Goats and chickens etc.
It is also good for the man to have many daughters so that one day he too can receive Cows in exchange for his daughters hand in marriage. One son will allow his name to continue…
The celebrations begin at the Zulu Cultural village on our Durban half Day Tour
The celebrations begin at the Zulu Cultural village on our Durban half Day Tour
After all the dowry is paid the celebrations of the 3 day wedding take place from Friday to Sunday and the two are wed.
After a great performance of singing and dancing we headed to the traditional Zulu beehive huts. The first hut was a meeting hut where the men always sit on the right and women on the left in order to protect the women from intruders entering the hut unexpectedly.
Boys if they start using the left hand will be taught how to use there right hand as the spears/Assagais are held in the right hand and can be thrown at the intruder who enters the hut.
Watch some Dancing from our Zulu Cultural Tour click link: Zulu Dancing Video
Zulu man demonstrates how to use the long throwing spear on our Valley of 1000 Hills Zulu cultural experience
Zulu man demonstrates how to use the long throwing spear on our Valley of 1000 Hills Zulu cultural experience
Inside the hut the floors are polished with cow dung and the central fire sends up smoke into the Thatched roof in order to prevent the rain from penetrating the hut.
The Assagai invented by the great King Shaka for close combat
The Assagai invented by the great King Shaka for close combat
It was King Shaka who was King of the Zulus from 1816-1828 that invented this short stabbing spear for close combat with the British and the Dutch settlers. This weapon became historical as the Zulus used it to defeat the British at the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana with the then King; Cetswayo.
After this amazing experience we moved on to Hillbillies for lunch also with a great view over the valley of 1000 hills. They also have a lot of craft markets that my clients enjoyed looking through.
Once we were done here I took everyone up to secret location which has brilliant views over the valley of 1000 hills and from here we started our journey back to Durban.
It had been a very enjoyable half Day Tour in the Valley of 1000 Hills with a lovely mix of Zulu Cultural, singing and dancing!
