In a spectacular suit of black feathers: the new king of the Zulu people was crowned on Saturday in South Africa, despite a fierce war between clans in the palace, reports AFP, citing news.ro. In a country with 11 official languages, the constitution recognizes sovereigns and traditional chiefs. Kings without executive power, they possess great moral authority and are deeply respected by their people.

To succeed his father Goodwill Zwelithini, who died last year after 50 years in power, Misuzulu ka Zwelithini, 47, killed a lion days before the ceremony.

He then spent the night in the “cattle stable” of the KwaKhangelamankengane Palace in Nongoma, a small town in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN, South East) and the cradle of the Zulu nation. A kind of temple for the “people of the sky”, only a few men I know, the secrets of this enclosure and the rituals that take place there.

The country’s 11 million Zulus, nearly one in five South Africans, are descendants of Chaka, a charismatic leader and military genius who made history by winning a bloody battle against the British Empire.

At Saturday’s ceremony, the women were dressed in their most beautiful traditional attire, decorated with colorful beads. Hundreds of young girls danced bare-breasted, and dozens of cows were slaughtered to serve to the guests. Delegations of ordinary kings from neighboring countries were present with gifts. “Today, the Zulu nation enters a new chapter. I promise to work on its unification,” said Misuzulu ka Zwelitini in front of thousands of people present at the ceremony.

For more than a year, there has been a dispute about the inheritance of the palace. The late king’s first wife and her clan are contesting the legitimacy of Misuzulu Zulu, the son of the late king’s third and favorite wife.

Saturday’s attempt to stop the coronation failed.

The king, whose name means “strengthening the Zulu people”, already has two wives and four children.

By acting as the guarantor of social peace in his kingdom, the Zulu king receives support from the state.

Known for his lavish lifestyle, King Zwelitini received about €75,000 a year for personal use, as well as a budget of €4.2 million to run the kingdom, according to the government scale.

The Zulu sovereign has almost 30,000 km2 of land – about the size of Belgium – which is managed by a trust whose administrator is unique and from which he can take an annuity. After the traditional ceremony, the new sovereign should be officially recognized by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the coming months.