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Spear-wielding warriors pour over the hilltops to attack a startled red-coat army, in a battlefield re-enactment that hopes to lure World Cup fans away from the stadiums between matches. South Africa’s 19th-century battlefields gave birth to the Zulu nation, as military genius King Shaka brought together a large swath of the country under his rule, only to clash with the British colonisers. Zulus are now South Africa’s largest ethnic group, at 24 per cent of the population, and their history and culture are being turned into a tourist drawcard. Anglo-Zulu battlefields and Shaka’s grave and birthplace now anchor a tourism trade in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province that aims to give foreigners a slice of history and rural South African life. The province is the most popular vacation destination for South Africans, but struggles to lure foreign visitors away from Cape Town and the winelands on the western coast. Zulu culture has become a key attraction, tourist officials said. “Cultural tourism has seen a steady rise over the last eight years. We are hoping that the World Cup will expose us to new markets and clients,” said William Adams, a tour guide for Springbok Atlas Tours.
On the Isandlwana Anglo-Zulu warfields, spear-wielding warriors battle red coats in battle re-enactments that show how the British were overpowered in 1879 in one of their worst colonial defeats.
Visitors can try stick-fighting, drink home-brewed sorghum beer, and eat bull’s head meat and intestines.
“Offering something off the beaten track is our major advantage. We are up against all sorts of competitors, so we need to stand out,” said Leo Kroone, owner of Phezulu Village and Safari Lodge. “The Zulu culture is a known brand.”
Marketing Zulu culture is one way of drawing tourists to the tropical coast, where winter temperatures in June and July remain balmy while much of South Africa is cold, tourist officials said.
Phezulu, which means “high” in Zulu, sits on a hilltop 35 kilometres outside Durban, which hosts seven World Cup matches.
Thatched cottages
At Phezulu, also known as the Valley of a Thousand Hills, guests sleep in modernised thatched cottages, similar to old-style Zulu huts — except for the giant television screen set up on the grounds so fans can watch games.
Some fear that selling an outdated image of Zulus borders on stereotyping and ignores the dynamic reality of South Africa’s increasingly urban culture.
President Jacob Zuma, modern South Africa’s first Zulu leader, practises polygamy and wears traditional leopard skins at his weddings. “Some of these commercial places do not have the interest of culture at heart. They want to come and show the gullible tourists about how the other sides live,” said Sihawu Ngubane, a professor of Zulu language and culture at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
“In some cases, historic facts are twisted in a bid to tell the most compelling story. That is exploitation,” he said.
But KwaZulu tourism chief Ndabo Khoza said the increase in cultural tourism is simply meeting the demand from tourists who increasingly express an interest in local life.
“Foreign visitors are intrigued by the rich history of the Zulus, particularly the colonial wars and traditions,” said Mr Khoza. “The site is popular with British tourists, but locals also come here to marvel at the Zulu prowess,” said Khoza. “We are hoping to build on the success of the World Cup to increase the number of future foreign visitors.”
Meanwhile, from spicy bunny chow to a “smiley” roasted sheep head, World Cup visitors will find local food that reflects South Africa’s varied cultures, landscapes and 11 official languages.
Herewith a culinary guide: - Biltong: Dried strips of beef or game like kudu and ostrich. A much-loved snack.
- Bobotie: Spiced, fruity minced meat baked with egg custard on top. A Cape Malay dish believed to have roots in the East Indies slaves brought by Dutch colonists.
- Braai: Barbeque, South Africa’s best-known and most cross-cultural social custom.
- Bunny Chow: Curry in a hollowed-out bread loaf, eaten with fingers using bits of bread to scoop up the filling. Originated in host city Durban when black workers weren’t allowed into restaurants.
- Chakalaka: Spicy vegetable relish. Goes with everything.
- Koeksuster: Decadently sweet, fried plaited dough dipped in thick sugar syrup.
- Kudu: A large antelope with very lean meat commonly served as fillet. Other popular game meats are ostrich and springbok, a small antelope. Crocodile, zebra and giraffe can also be found.
- Melktert: “Milk tart” sprinkled with cinnamon. Also popular is malva pudding -- a spongy cake-like dessert.
- Mopane worms: Protein-packed caterpillars eaten dried or fried until crunchy. Often served in a tomato sauce.
- Pap: Thick, bland maize porridge and a staple across southern Africa. Served with savoury toppings. Pap and vleis comes with meat often served on sidewalks.
- Potjiekos: Literally “pot food”, a stew traditionally cooked in a three-legged pot over fire.
- Rooibos: Indigenous “red bush” tea, a popular caffeine-free beverage.
- Rusk: A hard, dry biscuit made with a long shelf life used by South Africa’s European settlers. Often dunked into coffee or tea.
- Shebeen: Township drinking tavern with cheap alcohol and festive atmosphere.
- Shisa nyama: Zulu for hot meat. Diners select raw meat cuts, often to braai themselves in shops or restaurants.
- Sosatie: Chunks of marinated meat or chicken which are braaied.
- Ulusu: A stew of animal stomachs.
- Umqombothi: Traditional grain-brewed beer. Milky in appearance with a yeasty, sour taste.
- Walkie talkies: Cooked chicken feet and heads. The feet are also known as “runaways”. (AFP)
Originally published by Daily Nation |
