South Africa, A Zulu and His Wives
A Zulu and his wives. Polygamy in the Zulu culture as similar to other cultures like Northern Sotho, Islam and Swazi culture. Men were and are still able to take more than five wives to bear them children. The Zulu homestead (imizi) consisted of an extended family and others attached to the household through social obligations. Men were generally responsible for defending the homestead, caring for cattle, manufacturing and maintaining weapons and farm implements, and building dwellings. Women had domestic responsibilities and raised crops, usually grains, on land near the household. The Zulu term for family (umndeni) includes all the people staying in a homestead who are related to each other, either by blood, marriage, or adoption. Drinking and eating from the same plate was and still is a sign of friendship. Photographed for the Photoglob Company by G.W. Wilson, 1890-1910
