Zulu architecture centers on the umuzi, or kraal, a homestead of beehive shaped huts called iQukwane arranged in a circle around a central cattle enclosure. Traditionally built by women from wattle and daub, the huts are positioned according to social rank: the hut directly opposite the entrance belongs to the chief or his mother, the huts of his wives are arranged nearest to his own with the great wife closest, sons' huts are placed on the left side of the settlement and daughters' huts on the right, and the huts nearest the entrance are reserved for guests and visitors. The kraal is enclosed by an outer wooden fence with a separate inner fence around the cattle enclosure, along with multiple watchtowers for defense. Homesteads are traditionally built on a hillside with the entrance facing downhill, a siting chosen for sanitary, defensive and ritual reasons.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.