With controversy already surrounding his official crowning this weekend, Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has had to contend with animal activists calling him out for his “royal hunt” of a wild lion. The royalty found himself trending on social media after pictures and clips of his traditional hunting ceremony went viral. According to Zulu customs, the…
the heir must hunt a lion before “entering the kraal” as part of his coronation.
Misizulu will officially be welcomed at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
ANIMAL ACTIVISTS ANNOYED AT ZULU ROYAL HUNT
In pics that went viral on Thursday, Misuzulu was seen proudly showing off a lion captured in the “royal hunt”.
The hunt took place at the privately-owned game farm Mkuze Falls Game Reserve. The Zulu king is expected to wear the skin of the lion on Saturday when he enters the kraal.
BREAKING NEWS: King Misuzulu has just returned from a royal hunt for the lion to be used for the entering the kraal ritual on Saturday. He got the lion. @IOL pic.twitter.com/3EmkVGwDSC— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) August 18, 2022
WATCH: The lion brought from the royal hunt by King Misuzulu and his entourage has finally been brought into the sacred kraal at KwaKhangalemankengane palace. The skin of the lion will be worn by the King as he takes over the Zulu throne. @IOL pic.twitter.com/PNTrByakag— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) August 18, 2022
PHOTOS: Here is the lion King Misuzulu brought from the royal hunt. It will now be delivered to the scared royal at KwaKhangalemankengane palace ahead of this weekend’s ritual of entering the kraal. @IOL pic.twitter.com/rYdCRZx5y9— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) August 18, 2022
But whilst Misizulu was simply practising his age-old customs, many social media users – particularly animal activists – called him out for killing a wild lion.
See what tweeps had to say below:
@Feikemanagement: “And under what authority did he hunt a lion? It’s a criminal offense to do so without a permit including a CITES-issued tag”@africanscribe: “A lion was killed so that the incoming Zulu king can follow an outdated and unethical cultural practice. If this lion has cubs, they will be killed by the incoming male taking over his territory. Who awarded the permit to shoot a lion?”@willis_jen: “Barbaric. Primitive. Bloody move on four centuries … please!”@PeterDermauw: “What a sin! A king killing Africa’s heritage the king of the jungle!”@dave_ramatlo: “Culture doesn’t evolve, unfortunately, an animal has to die when a ritual is performed.@Cinnamon_Guy_: “Lions are under threat of being extinct. I will never support the hunting of lions, elephants, rhinos, and leopards”@GivenchyMalela: “Animal brutality”Twitter
TWEEPS DEFEND ‘BAYEDE DAWG’
Meanwhile, fans of the Zulu king have taken to Twitter to praise him ahead of his official ceremony – even calling him by his nickname “Bayede Dawg”.
According to Mzansi Taal, the king was given the name as he is “more youthful and identifies with the younger generation more than previous kings”.
And many defended him from the criticism of hunting a wild lion, posing memes of the celebratory occasion.
Here’s what they had to say:
