Ndzundza Ndebele (South Africa)
The royal house of Mabhoko and Nyabela; famed for geometric wall art.
South AfricaisiNdebele (Southern)Customs they practice
3 recorded rites, each with its steps and its WHY.
Imbeleko · introducing the child to the ancestors
The Nguni rite in which a goat is slaughtered at the family homestead to introduce a newborn (or a person never introduced) to the ancestors and formally place them in the clan.
Xhosa · Zulu · Ndebele +2
Lobola · the bride wealth negotiation
The formal meeting of two families in which the groom’s side presents cattle or money to the bride’s side, joining the clans and dignifying the bride.
Zulu · Xhosa · Ndebele +8
Death Rituals · Funeral Rites
Death rituals are a custom where community members come together to mourn the death of a loved one and to perform funeral rites. The custom involves a series of rituals and ceremonies, including the washing and dressing of the body, the performance of funeral songs and dances, and the burial of the deceased.
Ndzundza Ndebele
What they eat
4 dishes, what they mean and when they appear.
Amasi
Naturally fermented, thickened milk, tangy and slightly effervescent, traditionally left to sour in a calabash: a daily food and, historically, a measure of a homestead’s cattle wealth.
Zulu · Xhosa · Swazi +1
Ceremonial Stew
A hearty stew made with a variety of ingredients, often served at traditional ceremonies and rituals.
Ndzundza Ndebele
Mourning Meal
A simple, comforting meal made with maize meal or sorghum, often served during times of mourning and bereavement.
Ndzundza Ndebele
Ginger Beer
A spicy, refreshing drink made with ginger and other ingredients, often served at social gatherings and celebrations.
Ndzundza Ndebele
What they wear
1 piece, what it says and who may wear it.
Names from this tradition
1 name in the decoder, meaning first.
