What happens in the initiation school?
Initiation schools are cultural schools which young males and females attend to be taught the values, principles, hardships, respect and accountability within their cultural tradition. This happens over a specific, defined period, usually two to six months, and this may occur during winter or summer.
What is initiation custom?
Male initiation in South Africa refers to a cultural practice that marks the transformation of young men to adulthood. It is practised by many communities in South. Africa as a sacred and respected practice. The cultural practice of male initiation involves circumcision.
What is circumcision in Xhosa?
Ulwaluko is a Xhosa word that refers to an initiation ritual. Circumcision is one of the rituals performed. The ritual aims to instil good moral and social values.
How do xhosas celebrate?
When there’s a traditional ceremony, women and children have to wear certain traditional Xhosa clothing as a part of their tradition. For celebrations, women dress in bright colours, with lots of beads. Beads and colours sometimes hold different meanings at different occasions. Xhosa women durig a traditional ceremony.
Why was the abakhwetha blanket important to the Xhosa?
One of the most iconic images of the Xhosa people is the initiation, Abakhwetha blanket, a white felted blanket with stark red bands which run along the length edges of the cloth. The use of red in this blanket is symbolic of the blood associated with the initiation ritual through which the boys pass into manhood.
Is the ancient ritual of Ulwaluko still relevant?
The ancient ritual of Ulwaluko is still perceived as relevant by young Xhosa men, and Xhosa people. [Mdedetyana, 2019] It is a sacred family-oriented practice.
Why is ulwaluko important to the Xhosa people?
Xhosa initiates after circumcision ritual. The ancient ritual of Ulwaluko is still perceived as relevant by young Xhosa men, and Xhosa people. [Mdedetyana, 2019] It is a sacred family-oriented practice. Many are emotionally attached and find cultural significance in the ritual.
What was the initiation ritual of the isiXhosa?
The isiXhosa initiation ritual begins with the building of grass huts, ‘iboma’ or ‘sutu’ by the adults of the community in an isolated natural space. The initiate or umkhwetha is then ceremoniously washed, wrapped in the blanket and ‘Ulwaluko’ or circumcision is performed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg3hgtBBQ2I