Nkulunkulu

The Zulu name for the supreme deity is Nkulunkulu, literally the “old one.” Nkulunkulu is thought to be the Creator or First Cause of all things that exist. He taught the Zulu how to plant corn, how to build fires out of sticks of wood, how to make iron, and how to use herbs for medicine. In fact, he was the one who named all of the animals and the trees, and nothing came into existence without the energy of Nkulunkulu. To indicate the primary position that Nkulunkulu holds in the society, the Zulu elders called this deity by several names. One of the most honored names for Nkulunkulu is Mvelinquanagi. This name for the great high deity means that he came out first; there ...