Christmas Nativity Set

Hand Made in South Africa.

Missionaries of various denominations arrived in Zululand during the early days of white settlement, introducing Christianity to the Zulu people. Today, amongst other popular religious denominations in Zululand, is the Zionist Church, which is a separatist Church that blends traditional African and Christian beliefs and rituals, producing a new religious form adapted to African needs.

Many small self-help projects have developed in recent years in order to uplift the Zulu women and help to supplement their incomes, whilst they are able to remain at home continuing to tend their children as well as household and traditional chores.

One such self-help group is Kwa Zigi Gimi, situated in Northern KwaZulu. This area borders on Swaziland and Mozambique to the North, and the Indian Ocean to the East. The Zulu ladies of Kwa Zig iGimi specialize in hand-making beaded dolls, they have expanded their art-form to include these charming Nativity Dolls, representing Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

About the Zulu

For many people, the Zulu are the best-known African people. Their military exploits led to the rise of a great kingdom that was feared for a long time over much of the African continent. The Zulu are the descendants of Nguni-speaking people. Their written history can be traced back to the fourteenth century.

Social gatherings present dancers of the various clans with the opportunity of displaying their skills and fitness while the onlookers accompany them by playing drums, singing, whistling and ululating..

The Zulu are fond of singing as well as dancing. These activities promote unity at all the transitional ceremonies such as births, weddings, and funerals. All the dances are accompanied by drums. The men dress as warriors, wave their clubs, and thrust their cowhide shields forward.

Zulu folklore is transmitted through storytelling, praise-poems, and proverbs. These explain Zulu history and teach moral lessons. Praise-poems (poems recited about the kings and the high achievers in life) are becoming part of popular culture.