As we engaged in study unit 6, we got to learn that we all come from different societies, had encountered different experiences and we have different views about life, moreover, we are socialized differently. We also learnt that we need to be aware of the blindness that we have as humans from preconceptions, prejudices and assumptions. In this blog I will be addressing my beliefs as I come from the Zulu ethnic group and how these beliefs have shaped my worldview 

Greeting as a sign of acknowledgement and Respect for Elders 

At home I was taught that whenever you see or meet someone that you didn’t share a night with you must greet that person. Greeting is seen as an act of communication in which a person makes his or her presence known and felt, to show attention to and respect between individuals. It also suggests a type of relationship, for example, if I’m visiting my grandfather’s house I will have to go and greet him first before greeting other family members. So even if someone passes me, I will greet that person, that is why I find it strange if someone looks me in the eye and passes without greeting me. 

I was also taught that when you address an elder you must not talk to an elder while standing. I always sit down when I want to talk to my grandfather. You cannot look elders in the elders when talking to them because this shows disrespect, and you don’t answer back when an elder is disciplining you. When you see an elder in your way with heavy loads, you must help without expecting anything in return. 

Don’t look yourself in a broken mirror 

At home I also learnt that when you break a wall mirror, or any type of mirror has cracked you have to throw away that mirror because you cannot look at yourself in a broken mirror. Firstly, when you look at yourself in the mirror you just don’t see your physical appearance only, but you look deep down into your soul, so if the mirror is distorted your soul would reap the effects, things will get extremely bad for your soul.