Total population | |
---|---|
~ 12,159,000[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
South Africa | 10,659,309 (2001 census) to 12,559,000[1][2] |
Lesotho | 324,000[1] |
Zimbabwe | 167,000[1] |
Eswatini | 107,000[1] |
Malawi | 66,000[1] |
Botswana | 5,900[1] |
Mozambique | 6,000[1] |
Languages | |
Zulu (many also speak English, Portuguese, Afrikaans and Xhosa) | |
Religion | |
Christianity, Zulu religion | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Nguni, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele, other Bantu peoples |
person | umZulu |
people | amaZulu |
language | isiZulu |
country | kwaZulu |
The Zulu are the largest ethnic group in South Africa. There are 10-12 million Zulu living in South Africa, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal province. However, a small number of Zulu also live in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. The Zulu language, called isiZulu, is a Bantu language of the Nguni subgroup.
The Zulu Kingdom was very important in South African history during the 1800s and 1900s. During Apartheid, the Zulu people were third-class citizens and suffered from official discrimination. Today the Zulu people are the largest ethnic group in South Africa and have equal rights.