Zulu calendar

The Zulu calendar is the traditional lunar calendar used by the Zulu people of South Africa.[1] Its new year begins at the new moon of July in the Gregorian calendar.

Months
Month Zulu name extra notes
August uNcwaba
(glossy)		 New grass after veld-burning
September uMandulo
(cultivation)		 Start of the farming season. Formerly known as uMpandu, but its name was changed to uMandulo out of respect for King Mpande.
October uMfumfu
(emerging)		 May refer to the blooming of flowers, or the growth of maize and sorghum.
November uLwezi
(a species of froghopper)		 This is because of the influx of insects that feast on spring leaves
December uZibandlela
(misleading the path)		 May refer to grass growing over the roads and confusing travelers.
January uMasingana
(let us search)		 May refer to searching for ripening crops or pumpkins.
February uNhlolanja
(inspecting dogs)		 This is when dogs begin mating, and owners inspect which dogs they had copulated with.
March uNdasa
(well-fed)		 This is when food is more abundant.
March uMbaso
(fires)		 Its name refers to the fires lit for winter or to roast maize.
April uNgulazibuya
(sweeping the threshing grounds)		 This is when cattle are satiated, lying down in the ground and appearing sick.
May uNhlaba
(aloe plant)		 This is when the aloe plants start to bloom.
June uNhlangula
(scattering)		 This is when winds blow leaves off trees and the ground.
July uNtulikazi/uMaquba
(with dusts)		 This is the month when the winds blow up dust.

Festivals

References
  1. "Zulu Calendar". Afropedea. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. "Zulu Cultural Festivals – Events Zululand 2019". ZululandNews. Retrieved 14 November 2020.

See also
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