4 other viral Zulu traditional dancers Some Zulu men took advantage of snowfall in South Africa and decided to put on an epic traditional performance. A hip-hop beat didn't stop some Zulu friends ...

The ceremony was the first Zulu coronation since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. It ends a long and bitter tussle to find a successor for King Goodwill Zwelithini who died last year.

As the leader of the Zulu nation that has control over about 10,810 square miles of land in KwaZulu-Natal province, the king is arguably the most influential traditional leader in South Africa.

A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 14, 2023, Section A, Page 8 of the New York edition with the headline: South Africa Ruling Endangers Zulu King’s Ascent.