For the Zulu people, the kraal, or isibaya, in the Zulu language, acts as a homestead, a site for ritual worship, and as a defensive position. It's laid out as a circular arrangement of beehive-shaped huts called iQukwane, [7] which were traditionally constructed by women, surrounding a cattle enclosure. They are always built on one of Zululand ...

The Zulu expression “ umnumzane ubonakala ngesibaya sakhe” (the man’s social status is seen by the size of his kraal) signifies the centrality of cattle as a form of wealth even among commoners. The larger the kraal, the more senior the man’s social status.

A kraal is called isibaya in the South African isiZulu language. It is a structure made of logs in a Zulu homestead it used to keep the cows. The kraal is built in the middle of the homestead. The woods or logs to build the kraal are collected and joined together to form a circle with a gate.

Jul 16, 2019 · In the centre of the umuzi is the cattle kraal. Cattle is very important in Zulu culture, owing it means status, wealth, power and even the ability to buy wives. You will still see kraal scattered around the KwaZulu province, even if nowadays urban Zulu live predominantly in townships and cities.

Nov 22, 2016 · Young boys are given chores from the age of about six, it their duty to look after their father’s herd (ukulusa). Just after sunrise they leave the kraal with the cattle and return later in the morning. After the cows are milked, they have breakfast and go …

The cattle kraal is towards the center of the dwelling. The Zulu tribe values their cattle, and it is a symbol of wealth and power that resides at the center of the homestead to radiate livelihood and strength.

Aug 16, 2022 · University of KwaZulu-Natal cultural expert Dr Gugu Mazibuko has described the entering of the kraal ceremony, known as ukungena esibayeni, as one of the most sacred royal customs and likened it...

Aug 9, 2022 · In a further account of the Zulu, Wells (1933: 196) notes that Zulu are buried under the walls of the kraal which are then re-built, whilst Krige (1936: 160) says that the homestead head is buried in front of the chief hut, close to the fence of the cattle fold.

An intanga consisted of a group of men of roughly the same age who lived at the royal kraal, tended to the king's cattle, and formed the standing army. According to Reader (1966), the regimental system, although not organized for war, is still an active institution in Zulu society.

Standing six to eight deep, the huts formed a huge circle around an open arena, known as the large cattle kraal. A space also used for military parades and gatherings. Archaeological excavations have revealed that this hut, with a diameter of approximately 10m, was probably the largest hut ever built in the traditional Zulu manner.