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creator of human beings in traditional Zulu mythology was
Unkulunkulu, though in some stories it was Umvelinqangi who
created the first man and woman. Especially
important in traditional mythology
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were
the ancestors who
watched over the people
today,
as
well as creatures that were part human and part lizard. Spirits
were also thought to exist in animals, in the forest and in caves.
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AMADLOZI
were the Zulu ancestors. People can appeal to the spirit world
by invoking these ancestors. |
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INKOSAZANA
was a female spirit that makes the maize (corn) grow, the goddess
of agriculture. She is worshipped in the spring. |
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INTULO
was a lizard-like creature with human characteristics. |
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MAMLAMBO
was the goddess of the rivers. |
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MBABA
MWANA WARESA was the goddess of rainbows, rain, crops,
and cultivation. She is also beloved because she gave the gift of
beer. |
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TIKDOSHE
is an evil dwarf. It resembles the Chiruwi and the Hai-uri (one
arm, one leg, one side), and likes to fight humans. Losing against
Tikdoshe can mean death for the humans, but victory can give a man
great magical powers. |
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UHLAKANYANA
was a mythical dwarf and trickster. |
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UMVELINQANGI
was the sky god who descended from heaven and married Uthlanga.
In some versions of the creation story, he created the reeds that
Unkulunkulu came from. He shows himself to people as thunder and
earthquakes. |
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UNKULUNKULU
(sometimes spelled Nkulunkulu) was the creator of all things.
He grew out of a reed and when he became too heavy he fell to earth.
This word also means "ancestor" in the Zulu language. |
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UNWABA
was a mythical chameleon. He was sent by the Sky God to tell
the people and craetures of the earth that they had immortal life.
Because he was too slow the people and creatures of earth did not
become immortal after all. Chameleons turn from green to brown because
they are sad that Unwaba was too slow. |
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UTHLANGA
(sometimes spelled Uhlanga) was a large mythical marsh with reeds
in the North, from which the creation came into existence. |
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| "The
Big Myth" © Distant Train 2002 |
