Zulu Etiquette

The Greeting: Sawubona (I see you), response: Yebo, Sawubona, the person of the higher standing greeting the inferior member.

Excessive eye contact is considered to be provocative and is avoided, particularly between women and men.

The Handshake: Firstly the conventional shake, then clasping thumbs around thumbs and finally another conventional handshake.

Food: The men are served according to their standing, then the women, then the children, boys before girls.

Walking: Wives walk behind their husbands who, should they encounter another man, pass him on the left enabling both to see the other's weapons.

Beer Drinking: The women brew beer every couple of days and it is a slight to refuse it. The vessel is held in the right hand and the saucer with the left and the beer is drunk sitting or squatting. Rubbing the stomach compliments the brewer.

Seating Order: Men always sit on the right of the hut with those of highest standing to the rear.

Giving: Giving something is accomplished using the right hand only, the left supporting the right at the elbow to show that nothing is hidden.

Sitting: One is always expected to sit on a hide or shield.