About this myth

Zulu Genesis is a Creation myth originating from the Zulu belief system. The main deity depicted in this myth is likely Unkulunkulu.

In a nutshell

Myth summary

Unkulunkulu was the first supreme deity and the first man. He grew from a large seed into a reed that broke away from the plant. After he was born, he watched other men and women born in the same fashion. He created everything from land, animals, and other men. In short, he broke away from the source and there was nothing before him.

Attested: Unknown
Created: Unknown
Myth type: Creation
Main deity: Unkulunkulu
Belief system: Zulu
Origin: Africa › Southern Africa › South Africa

Belief system

Zulu Culture

Polytheistic

Zulu religion refers to the belief system of people native to the eastern portion of South Africa, in KwaZulu-Natal.

arrow_forward More info
Belief system

Unkulunkulu

Main deity

In Zulu tradition, Unkulunkulu was the supreme deity who created everything; and, he was the first man.

arrow_forward More info
Main deity

More information

The Zulu Genesis creation myth features the creation of the world and man by the supreme deity known as Unkulunkulu.[1]

Notes

1.
🡩Leeming, Creation Myths, 296-297.
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

Texts related to this myth

See full texts of this myth via related artifacts. Where available, a translation is included.

All texts

Title
  • notes
  • translate
  • vertical_split
  • format_list_numbered
  • assignment_turned_in

How did we get this date?

Close

How did we get this date?

We're not quite sure about the creation date for this myth.

Close

Cite this page

MLA Modern Language Association (8th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Zulu Genesis." OMNIKA – World Mythology Index, OMNIKA Foundation, 03 Mar. 2019, omnika.org/stable/20. Accessed 5 Jul. 2024.

content_copy
APA American Psychological Association (6th ed.)

OMNIKA (2019, March 03). Zulu Genesis. Retrieved from https://omnika.org/stable/20

content_copy
CMS Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Zulu Genesis." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created March 03, 2019. Accessed July 5, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/20.

content_copy

Bibliography

Leeming, David A. Creation Myths of the World: An Encyclopedia. 2nd edition. Vol. 1 [Parts I-II]. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2010.
more_vert

Share

https://omnika.org/stable/20

content_copy COPY
Close

Report

Thanks for helping OMNIKA become a better website. Report a problem if you see something wrong on this page. All fields are required.

Please keep it short and sweet.

Heads up. By submitting the form, you are also sending information related to your device, such as your browser, screen resolution, and IP address. For more information, please read the privacy policy. Unless you indicate otherwise, we may attempt to contact you using the email address you provided.

Close Submit form