Zulu calendar
The Zulu calendar is the traditional lunar calendar used by the Zulu people of South Africa.[1] Its new year begins at the new moon of July in the Gregorian calendar.
Months
Month | Zulu name | extra notes |
---|---|---|
August | uNcwaba (glossy) |
New grass after veld-burning |
September | uMandulo (cultivation) |
Start of the farming season. Formerly known as uMpandu, but its name was changed to uMandulo out of respect for King Mpande. |
October | uMfumfu (emerging) |
May refer to the blooming of flowers, or the growth of maize and sorghum. |
November | uLwezi (a species of froghopper) |
This is because of the influx of insects that feast on spring leaves |
December | uZibandlela (misleading the path) |
May refer to grass growing over the roads and confusing travelers. |
January | uMasingana (let us search) |
May refer to searching for ripening crops or pumpkins. |
February | uNhlolanja (inspecting dogs) |
This is when dogs begin mating, and owners inspect which dogs they had copulated with. |
March | uNdasa (well-fed) |
This is when food is more abundant. |
March | uMbaso (fires) |
Its name refers to the fires lit for winter or to roast maize. |
April | uNgulazibuya (sweeping the threshing grounds) |
This is when cattle are satiated, lying down in the ground and appearing sick. |
May | uNhlaba (aloe plant) |
This is when the aloe plants start to bloom. |
June | uNhlangula (scattering) |
This is when winds blow leaves off trees and the ground. |
July | uNtulikazi/uMaquba (with dusts) |
This is the month when the winds blow up dust. |
Festivals
- Umkhosi Wokweshwama
- Umkhosi woMhlanga
- uMathayi Marula Festival - In Umkhanyakude District, the Thembe clan harvests the marula fruit. Older women from the clan deliver their crops to their chief.[2]
References
- "Zulu Calendar". Afropedea. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- "Zulu Cultural Festivals – Events Zululand 2019". ZululandNews. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
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