Universal Zulu Nation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Universal Zulu Nation is an "international hip hop awareness" group formed and headed by hip hop godfather Afrika Bambaataa. Originally known simply as "The Organization", it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youth, combining local dance and music movements into what would become known as the various "elements" of hip hop culture. By the 1980s hip hop had spread globally, and the Zulu Nation has since established (autonomous) branches in Japan, France, the UK and Australia.

Afrika Bambaataa with DJ Yutaka of Zulu Nation Japan, 2004.
Afrika Bambaataa with DJ Yutaka of Zulu Nation Japan, 2004.

It is important to understand that the Zulu Nation has changed over the past decade. It seems that since the late 1980's at the height of the afrocentric hip hop movement when artists such as KRS-One, Public Enemy, the Native Tongues Posse and Rakim hit success that the Zulu Nation has incorporated many doctrines from the Nation of Islam, Nation of Gods and Earths, and the Nuwaubians. In the 2000s, however, their official website states that the Zulu Nation has left the 15 Beliefs and instead adheres to "Factology versus Beliefs," a religious philosophy and doctrine in Nuwaubianism.

The imagery of the Zulu Nation has changed considerably as well. During the 1970's, and 80's, Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation members would often clothe themselves in costumes representing different cultures of the world. These costumes were seen as symbols for the Zulu Nation's desire to help others regardless of nationality or skin color and also to symbolize people who were generally peaceful and good until they were oppressed by those who were not. Normal members, including whites and Latinos would often wear necklaces or shirts depicting an outline of the African continent or a crude tribal drawing of a man's face. This was a symbol of the Zulu tribes of Africa, from which the organization got its name. Nowadays, however, these things have been replaced by Egyptians symbols such as ankhs and pagan jewelry depicting pentagrams.

Contents

[edit] Zulu Nation in France

The Zulu movement was introduced to France in the early 1980's by Afrika Bambaataa. The Zulu Nation was well received in suburban Paris since most African immigrants lived beyond the city limits. The growing popularity of Afrika Bambaataa's sound introduced rap and hip-hop culture to these poor suburban neighborhoods. The Zulu Nation's ties to the French hip-hop community have waned since 1987, and few contemporary rappers continue to represent the ideals of the group. [1] According to Veronique Henelon, "French rap specifically has been a multi-dimensional expression of ties with Africa" [2]. The Zulu Nation website reaffirms this notion in their report of the French hip-hop community. The first hop hop television show reportedly appeared in France and was hosted by "a guy named Sydney who also was the first Leader of The Universal Zulu Nation of France" [3].

[edit] The Beliefs of the Universal Zulu Nation

As stated on their official website, the Universal Zulu Nation recognize that in the new millennium it is time to abandon belief systems in favor of "factology". The following fifteen tenets then represent the Zulu Nation "of the last millennium"[4]:

  1. Belief in the Abrahamic God
  2. Belief in the validity of the Bible (Old and New) and Qur'an
  3. Belief that the scriptures have been tampered with
  4. Belief that history textbooks and other educational materials have been negatively influenced by white supremacist doctrines
  5. "We believe in truth whatever it is. If the truth or idea you bring us is backed by facts, then we as Amazulu bear witness to this truth. Truth is Truth."
  6. Belief that religion should not make adherents into a "slave or zombie", but should instead make them a "fighter for Freedom, Justice, and Equality for all Human Beings."
  7. Belief that racism is attempting to destroy civilization
  8. Belief that humanity must stop destroying the environment
  9. "We believe in the mental resurrection of the dead. There are many of the Human race who are blind, deaf, and dumb to the knowledge of Self and others and we feel the ones who know should teach."
  10. Belief that mathematics is the foundation for all reality
  11. "We believe in the seen and what is to be known of the unseen. We believe in the Power of the mind, and that knowledge is as infinite as God himself."
  12. Belief in equal justice for all
  13. Belief in peace unless provoked
  14. "We believe in Power, Education in truth, Freedom, Justice, Equality, Work for the people and the upliftment of the people."
  15. "The Universal Zulu Nation stands for: KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, FREEDOM, JUSTICE, EQUALITY, PEACE, UNITY, LOVE, RESPECT, WORK, FUN, OVERCOMING THE NEGATIVE TO THE POSITIVE, ECONOMICS, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, LIFE, TRUTH, FACTS, FAITH, AND THE ONENESS OF GOD."

[edit] References

  1. ^ Prevos, A.J.M., "Postcolonial Popular Music in France: Rap Music and Hip-Hop Culture in the 1980's and 1990's," In Global Noise: Rap and Hip-Hop Outside the USA, ed. Tony Mitchell, 29-56. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press, 2001.
  2. ^ Henelon, V. "Africa on Their Mind: Rap, Blackness, and Citizenship in France." IN The Vinyl Ain't Final: Hip Hop and the Globalization of Black Popular Culture, ed. by Dipannita Basu and Disney J. Lemelle, 151-66. London; Ann Arbor, MI: Pluto Press
  3. ^ Welcome to The Official site of The Universal Zulu Nation
  4. ^ The Beliefs of the Universal Zulu Nation, ZuluNation.com, accessed 27 June 2007.

[edit] External links