association with the lineage between the departed and their survivors"(29). Even though there are doubts about Zulu traditional religion, most studies appear to confirm the fact that belief in a sky deity is and always has been central to Zulu religious thought. "Unkulunkulu (the old, old one) is the Creator of First Cause. If a Zulu is asked about the origin of man and the world, he will say Unkulunkulu the Zulu people believe in a power which they call "Heaven" or "The Lord of Heaven"(Krige 282). Other researchers argue that "all the Bantu further have some conception, generally rather vague, of a supreme power. . . The Zulu have a sky god. . . the Lord of Heaven"(Shapera 262). Quite clearly the existence of a Zulu belief in a sky deity is well established in the literature on both the Zulu people in particular and African religions in general.The earliest period of recorded contact between Zulu and European cultures gives some information about Zulu religious beliefs. This evidence, however, is culturally bias because of the European stereotypes and expectations. Nathaniel Isaacs, a European trader, visited Shaka, the Zulu king, and developed a strong friendship with him. In gratitude for assistance in a battle against his enemies Shake made him a minor chief, eventually granting him a strip of land around the coast surrounding Port Natal, modern Durban. However, Isaacs reactions to the Zulu religion are somewhat bias because of his own beliefs and values. The language difference also serves as a barrier between Isaacs and Shaka. "Chaka, when we first held a conversation with him on the subject of the existence of a Supreme Being, at once evinced he had no idea of a deity, and that his people were equally ignorant on this subject"(Hexham 38). From Isaacs's point of view, it seemed as if Shaka and the rest of the Zulu people did not understand the concept of religion. After living amongst the Zulu people for some time Is...
