What is it about?
Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa (1921–2020) was one the most famous and controversial sangomas in South Africa. He was the first sangoma who published books about sangomas’ vocation and work, and revealed his version of Zulu myths. His myths however, do not match the myths collected by researchers in last 200 years and are not known to contemporary sangomas and sanusis - the sages responsible for transmitting ethnic wisdom from generation to generation. In the articles I analyse Mutwa's versions of Zulu myths and search for his inspiration.
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Why is it important?
The article thoroughly analyses Mutwa's creation myths not only in the context of the Zulu culture but also his myths are juxtaposed with similar myths from other cultures. Mutwa was a very well read person. He was interested in world's mythologies and in his myths one can find motives that are globally recognised but not part of Zulu mythology, e.g. the Tree of Life and the great deluge. Readers will learn which motives are Zulu tradition and which are taken from other religions.
Perspectives
Anylysing Mutwa's myths was a long work. It took me to Kuruman, South Africa, when Mutwa lived and was kind enough to be my host. He first wrote his version of Zulu mythology in the 1960s, deep in apartheid times. Then he wrote them again in other books, finally making them famous in "Zulu Shaman..." in the 1990s. The book was directed mainly to the non-African New Age audience, hence he gave extra interpretation to his myths. When I talked to him in 2013 (when he was 92), he was adamant that his version is the true Zulu mythology but he emphasised that these myths can be interpreted in many ways by people from other cultures. The article presents his views and how they changes (or not) during his life span. I also did research in other religions that might have inspired Mutwa.
Dr Agnieszka Podolecka
University of South Africa
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Zulu Creation Myths by Credo Mutwa – Ancient Tradition or Mutwa’s Invention?, Journal of Religion in Africa, December 2021, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/15700666-12340202.
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