Page 299 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

DURBAN AND ZUL ULAND  297

guests a rare insight into local
customs. Visitors can particiapte
in dancing, and taste Zulu beer
while watching spears, shields,
baskets and clay pots being
made. The isangoma (diviner)
is also available for a personal
reading. The property includes
a 3,000-sq-m (32,292-sq-ft)
bird aviary with an elevated
walkway, waterfall features
and an extensive reptile park.
Guests can reside in self-
contained or luxury rooms on
an all-inclusive meal plan in
ethnic huts arranged to resemble Zulu warriors at the cultural village of Shakaland
a traditional Zulu village.
guests enjoy traditional Zulu
fare, followed by a traditional Traditional Muthi
5 Shakaland dancing display. Healing
On a tour of the 40-hut
Road map F3. Eshowe. R68. In traditional Zulu society,
Tel 035 460 0912. Open 6am–9pm village, visitors are introduced the inyanga (herbalist) was
daily. 8 Day visitors: 11am & noon to a variety of traditional male and concentrated on
daily (3-hour tours); overnight guests: skills such as hut-building, medicinal cures, while the
4pm culture tour, Zulu dancing after spear-making, beer-brewing, isangoma (diviner) was a
dinner & 9am morning tour. 0 = artistic beadwork and pottery. woman who possessed
∑ aha.co.za/shakaland Framed by thorn trees and psychic powers and the
aloes, Goedertrou Dam in the ability to communicate
For the 1984 TV series valley below is an attractive with the ancestral spirits.
Shaka Zulu, several body of water. The Today, this strict division
authentic 19th- sunset river boat is no longer accurate.
century Zulu kraals cruises are an Muthi is an assortment of
were con structed. added attraction. medicine and remedies
For the series’ grand In the hills east made from indigenous bulbs,
shrubs, leaves, tree bark and
finale, the villages of Shakaland, and roots. Animal products such
were set alight – commanding a as fat, claws, teeth and skin
only that of Shaka’s Zulu “love letter” superb view over are also often used.
father was spared pouch, Shakaland the wide Mhlatuze Despite the advances of
and opened to the Valley, is the site Western cul ture, the faith in
public as Shakaland. of Shaka’s famed military traditional healing methods
The unique Zulu village is stronghold, KwaBulawayo. is still widespread in rural
open for day visits, while Construction of this historic and urban settlements.
visitors wishing to stay facility began in 1823, but In order to meet the demand
overnight are accommodated today almost nothing remains for the plants and to ensure
in large luxury beehive nets. A of the citadel that once held a reg ular supply, special
video explaining the origin of so much of southern Africa in “muthi gardens” have been
the Zulu people is shown, and its grasp. estab lished in a number of
nature reserves.

Zulu inyanga (herbalist)
Shakaland offers unusual hotel accommodation
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p389 and pp407–8

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