South Africa

The 'rainbow nation' weaves Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, San, Afrikaner and Cape Malay cultures across eleven official languages.

Textile & dress Music & dance Language & oral Building & habitat Food & cooking

Knowledge in this place

Zulu beadwork

Zulu beadwork

Coded coloured beads convey messages of love, status and clan identity.

Textile & dress

Isicathamiya singing

Isicathamiya singing

A soft Zulu a cappella choral style developed by migrant mineworkers.

Xhosa click language

Xhosa click language

A Nguni language using three distinct click consonants in everyday speech.

Language & oral

Ndebele house painting

Ndebele house painting

Bold geometric murals painted by Ndebele women on homestead walls.

Building & habitat

Braai

An open-fire grilling tradition central to social gatherings nationwide.