Zulu Cultural Festivals – Events Zululand 2019

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019

Besides Big 5 game reserves and a World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, whale watching and turtle tours Zululand has a lot to offer in the form of events. Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 are always bright with color and wonderfully vibrant, and often include Zulu dancing, singing and traditional food.

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Battle of Isandlwana

On 22 January 1879 the first major encounter in the Anglo–Zulu War took place when a force of over 20,000 Zulus attacked a portion of the main British invasion force in Zululand. Over 1,300 British were killed during the battle. The film “Zulu Dawn” depicts the battle and has been shown on British television on 26 December for many years.

The 140th Anniversary of the Battle of Islandwana and a re-enactment featuring the Zulus and Dundee Diehards will take place on the 22 January 2019.

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Khekhekhe First Fruits

Towards the end of summer, at a homestead overlooking the Tugela River, Khekhekhe performs the annual First Fruits ceremony which involves deadly venomous snakes. This  event takes place on 23rd February every year.

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Royal Reed Dance /Umkhosi woMhlanga

Early every September over 10 000 Zulu maidens gather at the reigning Zulu king’s (King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu) KwaNyokeni Palace in Nongoma.  The colourful cultural festival is known as the the Royal Reed Dance or Umkhosi woMhlanga in the Zulu language.

Dates for this event in 2019 are advised at rather short notice, but it is definitely worth planning for the experience.

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events 2019 – First Fruits Cultural Festival Umkhosi WoSelwa

First Fruits Cultural Festival Umkhosi WoSelwa is a 5-day ritual and ceremony that takes place during the last full moon of each year at the royal residence of King Goodwill Zwelithini at Nongoma

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Shembe Gathering at Judea

Over a three week period during the month of October more than 30 000 Shembe followers (Nazerenes’) gather for a month of religious celebrations in the village of Judea near Eshowe.

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – uMathayi Marula Festival

uMthayi Marula Festival is a traditional Thembe celebration of the harvesting of the marula fruit in the Umkhanyakude District. The Marula season begins each year in mid-February and continues until May, bringing with it a celebration of the harvest of the marula fruit.  At the festival, which takes place in February, the older women of the Tembe clan deliver a brew from the first fruits of the marula harvest to their chief, Inkosi Mabhuda Tembe.

Read about the popular contemporary commercial drink Amarula Liqueur Cream.

Zulu Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – uMkhanyakude Trade Show

A two-day Zululand event, uMkhanyakude Trade Show focusing mainly of Zulu arts and crafts successfully took place for the first time in Mtubatuba in August 2018. We believe this will become an annual event.

Afrikaans Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Dolosfees

Dolosfees is an annual Afrikaans music event in Richards Bay featuring top South African artists – 20-22 September 2019.

Multi-Cultural Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Talana Festival

This is one of the best multi-cultural events in Zululand, including an enactment of the Battle of Talana, takes place at Talana Museum and grounds in Dundee over a weekend – early October 2019.

 

Port Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Richards Bay Port Festival

This family entertainment event at the Port of Richards Bay takes place over 2 days – early December.

Festivals Events Zululand 2019 – Sizzle City Umhlathuze Beach Party

Sizzle City Richards Bay hosts the Umhlathuze Beach Festival annually in December.

Cultural Events Zululand 2019 – Indian Fair “Colors of India”

The Indian Fair takes place in Sizzle City Richards Bay in December.