South Africa’s Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has challenged Professor Musa Xulu, a cultural expert and academic, to a traditional stick fight, claiming he was insulted along with the entire Zulu nation.
The challenge was issued during the annual Reed Dance celebration at the king’s newly built royal palace, attended by thousands.
The king took umbrage with Prof Xulu’s comments on the cost of renovating the new palace, which Prof Xulu described as wasteful given the 152 million rand spent on the Enyokeni palace.
Prof Xulu views the king’s challenge as a joke but has expressed concerns for his safety, citing threats from hired assassins and lodging a formal complaint with the police.
Stick fighting is an integral part of Zulu culture, used historically for training young men in war and self-defense. Today, it’s a way to resolve disputes and showcase strength, with fighters using three different sticks for striking, defense, and protection.
Prof Xulu, who holds doctorates in Zulu music and cultural tourism, emphasized that stick fighting requires equals, and he doesn’t consider himself the king’s equal.
The professor also mentioned he hasn’t participated in stick fighting since his teenage years.
The Zulu kingdom, known for defeating British troops in the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana, holds significant cultural influence in South Africa, with about a fifth of the population identifying as Zulu. The monarchy receives over $4.9 million in annual funding.
