The Linguist, the Cosmology and Zulu Traditional Beliefs

Let me tell you about Gugu Mkhize: she is a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the isiZulu department focusing on linguistics, traditional beliefs and Zulu cosmology and myths; and she was the first person to take a chance and give me the time to interview her. I spoke with her twice, for over an hour each time and both times she answered my questions with a smile and eagerness to share what she knows. And what she knows is a lot! Not even two sessions can cover what she knows. But it’s the start, for me, to find out more and to research those tidbits that piqued my interest. And it’s up to you guys to do the same if you want. But also, ask questions here. Ping us on social media.

Meeting Gugu Mkhize:

Having grown up in Durban and seen the imposing structure of the UKZN building – sometimes from far and sometime close up on the grounds themselves – it was my first time actually inside. Naturally I got lost.

Eventually, with some help, I found my way to the office door of Gugu Mkhize just as she was coming down the hall.

We both settled in. I got out my writing materials and audio recorder, and although we’d chatted briefly the week before I set about giving her more of a detailed rundown of why I’m doing what I’m doing. And then we got to it…

In the past, and in some regions of the world today, people have been forced to take on new religions and beliefs. And rather than being given the choice they are being scared off from something that is part of their heritage and their traditions in their communities.

With access to information, those individuals can look at the customs, myths, and cosmology of their communities and ancestors and decide for themselves what they take on and what they leave.

Terms and Phrases:

Amathambo – Bones

Rondavel – round structure housing Umsamo (space for rituals)

Ukubuyela emuva uthathe izinto zakho – To come back and fetch your things

Ukubuyela emuva uthathe izinto zakho – To come back and fetch your things

Ngisaya emangeni – I’m going to lies

uNomkhubulwane:

• Rain Goddess/Princess
• uthingo lwenkosazana – rain goddess
• uthingo – light
• nkosazana – girl
• uthingo lwenkosazana – Rainbow.
• Imvula – rain

uMvelingqangi:

• Vela – show up, appear, arise
• Ngqangi – first
• Ancestors are the link to mMvelingqangi

Nkulunkulu:

• Missionaries asked “who is your ‘Great Great’”
• Khulu – great, big, large, important.
• Umdali – Creator

Uthongo:

• Spiritual world.
• Uthongo – dreaming/falling/asleep
• Sithongo – sleep

After my first visit with Gugu and after her recommendation, I went to the Killie Campbell Library (part of the Museum complex in the Musgrave area) and was overwhelmed with the amount of books, news-clippings, newspapers and photos they have in their repository. Lying on one of the research desks were two bindings, one of editions of a newspaper from 1925, and the other old photos of rural life in KwaZulu-Natal (undated).

I’ve since been back a few times and usually it involves me getting sidetracked with other items I find on the searchable computer database.