Zulu, a people who remain throughout time. *This date celebrates
the Zulu nation. The Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South
Africa, with a population of approximately 8 million. The Zulu
are one of many southern African peoples belonging to the
broader Nguni linguistic group. Like other Nguni groups such as
the Xhosa, the Zulu speak a Bantu language, and their ancestors
are believed to have migrated into southern Africa sometime
after the 2nd century C. E. They settled in village communities,
cultivated grains such as millet, and kept cattle, which became
an important symbol of wealth. Also like other Nguni groups, the
Zulu developed a distinct language well before they forged a
collective identity or a centralized political structure. These
did not emerge until the late 18th century, when competition for
grazing lands and access to sources of ivory, an important trade
commodity, fostered conflict among Nguni clans. At that time
only members of one Nguni clan identified themselves as Zulu,
which was the