South African Birthday Traditions

by Zoleya
(South Africa)

Zoleya's South African birthday party

I am Zoleya, and I live in South Africa. At the age of 14, I got initiated into the community of the Zulu tribe. I was taught the traditions, beliefs, customs, laws, songs and dances of the tribe.

Usually, the actual birth date is not celebrated as birthday here. The day I was initiated into the community is celebrated as my birthday.

Last Saturday I celebrated my 21st birthday. It was a day I’ll never forget!

In South Africa, we follow a tradition of presenting a key of gold, silver, or aluminum foil on the 21st birthday. It is a symbol of the person's readiness to unlock the door to his or her future. My mother presented me with a silver key. I was happy to get birthday blessings from my grandfather and grandmother, too.

I invited to my birthday party all my friends and relatives, and also 30 children from an orphanage near my home. The small children made my celebration really a festive one!

Special birthday cake was made by my sister. This was done without an oven, on a charcoal fire instead. It was decorated with fresh creme and rose essence. When I cut the cake, I felt like heaven when all the children sang happy birthday song for me.

After the cake, the children performed a ceremonial umbrella dance. The umbrella was made of wood and colored cotton. The dancers stand in a circle, rotate the umbrella, and dance while the other guests stand outside the circle and clap their hands.

My sister and her friends sang a traditional song "We get de gal dem wet minute man no get another shot inna de bed." We also played musical chair game on that day. Surprisingly my grandmother won the game!

We enjoyed special foods like fried caterpillars and crocodile sirloin for the treat. The crocodile recipe is famous among my Zulu tribe.