Uhlanga

In Zulu mythology, Uhlanga is the marsh from which humanity was born.

Johannes Theophilus Hahn had suggested that amaZulu borrowed this creation myth from the Khoikhoi from whom they appropriated their lands, but that amaZulu misunderstood the word uhlanga which in isiZulu means marsh reed, but also means "offshoot" in some Khoikhoi languages. However, this was highly speculative as mythology about people emerging from marsh, caves, or holes in the ground are widespread in Bantu language speaking societies.

Unkulunkulu is humanity's progenitor and was the offshoot of Umvelinqangi.

References

• Leslie, David (1875) Among the Zulus and Amatongas: with sketches of the natives, their language and customs; and the country, products, climate, wild animals, etc Edmonston & Douglas, Edinburgh;
• Hahn, Theophilus (1881) Tsuni||Goam, the Supreme Being of the Khoi-Khoi Trübner, London;