Zulu Genesis

Creation Myth

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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.

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Belief system

Unkulunkulu

Main deity

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

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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.
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Texts related to this myth

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

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How did we get this date?

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How did we get this date?

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

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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 26 Dec. 2024.

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APA American Psychological Association (6th ed.)

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

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CMS Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.)

OMNIKA Foundation Contributors. "Zulu Genesis." Las Vegas, NV: OMNIKA Foundation. Created March 03, 2019. Accessed December 26, 2024. https://omnika.org/stable/20.

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Bibliography

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

Myth
Zulu Belief system
Unkulunkulu Main deity
Origin
location_city South Africa Southern Africa

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