Preserving Zulu heritage: The stories, symbols and traditions that refuse to fade
Delve into the vibrant traditions of Zulu culture, where age-old practices such as tossing milk teeth and smearing cow dung on homestead floors are vital for preserving South Africa's rich heritage.
Image: Martin McCormack/Unsplash
From children tossing milk teeth onto rooftops to the careful smearing of cow dung on homestead floors, Zulu oral and domestic traditions remain vital to South Africa's cultural heritage, even as many of these customs face the threat of disappearing.
One such fading practice is the ritual of children throwing their milk teeth onto the roof and reciting a short verse to the Grey go-away bird.
According to University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) academic and cultural expert Professor Sihawukele Ngubane, children gently loosen wobbly teeth before casting them away and chanting:
Hloyile, Hloyile (Grey go-away bird, Grey go-away bird)
Ngizokunika elidala (I’ll give you the old one)
Wena unginike elisha (You give me a new one).
"The tooth is disposed of by either burying it or throwing it in a specific direction like the roof. The baby tooth is believed to have a spiritual connection, and it is viewed as a transition from infancy to childhood.
"It is a preliminary rite of passage on the journey to adulthood. In some communities the child is advised to request for a bigger tooth. We can, therefore, not consider the throwing of the tooth as superstition but it forms an integral part of the life's journey," he said.
Another enduring tradition is ukusinda, the practice of smearing cow dung on floors to create smooth, hygienic, and insect-repellent surfaces in rural homes.
The process involves mixing cow dung with water and often black soil to form a thick paste, which is spread and smoothed across the floor. Acting as a natural cement, this coating provides thermal insulation, reduces dust, and improves indoor hygiene.
Traditional Zulu beliefs supported by some research hold that cow dung has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties and was historically used to disinfect homes. By creating a sealed, easy-to-clean floor, ukusinda helps maintain cleanliness and reflects a symbolic connection to the earth.
Ngubane is also championing the revival of izinganekwane Zulu folktales traditionally told by elders in the evenings to teach moral lessons, preserve language and strengthen family bonds.
These stories, often featuring tricksters, talking animals and mythical events, serve as: "A symbolic enabler for unity and ties within families while bridging the past to the present, and preserving languages and history of a nation," he said.
Among the enduring tales is the origin of death, in which a slow chameleon carrying a message of immortality loses to a swift lizard bringing news of mortality, teaching the consequences of delay.
Other favourites include Uhlakanyana the trickster, who uses wit to outsmart cannibals; The lion and the jackal, which celebrates cleverness over brute strength; and Tselane and the izimu (the giant), a warning against trusting strangers.
Acclaimed South African storyteller Gcina Mhlophe has dedicated her career to keeping such traditions alive, blending classic narratives with inspiring and educational messages for younger generations.
"Stories are our friends, our counselors, and our teachers. They are a means of nurturing a moral culture in the hearts and minds of people," she said.
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