Special Clothes and Special Occasions

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Wearing special clothes for special events is vu-nu-la in Zulu.

We can also extend vu-nu-la to the black church in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, U.K., Brazil and Argentina because looking good for church, includes hats that would make the Queen’s hats look like berets.

Vu-nu-la originally comes from warriors in ancient KwaZulu. They would hold colour-coded shields and wear different skins and feathers denoting rank in the king’s army. You’ve seen that with the Canadian and American armies. Army majors dress differently from sergeants.

Vu-nu-la is something you see a lot in Canada during the summer because of cultural festivals. You see special clothes from all over the world. Bollywood is a cut above the rest because it specializes in clothes from various regions of India.

Weddings are about vu-nu-la. The bride, groom, friends and relatives wear their best clothes. That is why bridal television shows are popular. It is always interesting to see the mother’s face when her daughter, the bride-to-be comes out in a strapless dress.

Obviously she doesn’t approve but what can she do, it’s not her wedding. Maybe she is worried about a dress that will force her daughter to keep pushing back her business when it pops out, two pop-outs.

Rap music has its own culture and clothing: type of sneakers, baseball caps, pants and jackets. You don’t understand it. They insist. Playing mas in various Nigerian, Caribbean, Brazilian and Argentinian carnivals is definitely vunula. Caribana Toronto is world famous and don’t try and look for a hotel room when it is on.

Vu-nu-la. You say the first part like vulcan, the second like newbie and the last like laugh.

ZULUENGLISH
U Papa u-hlala e-vunula.The Pope always wears special clothes.
Sizo-vunula si-conse.We will wear special clothes and be fabulous.
Na-vunula ni-yaphi?You look good in special clothes. Where are you going?
Si-vunulile siya kwi-Canada Day.We are wearing special clothes. We are going to Canada Day celebrations.
Bazo vunula baye e-Mardi Gras, New Orleans.They will wear special clothes and go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Prem, wa-vunula uyaphi?Prem, you are wearing special clothes. Where are you going?
Siya-vunula. Siya e-phathini yoku-zifihla.We are wearing special clothes. We are going to a masquerade ball.
 
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.



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