Nations of South Africa: Ndebele

The Ndebele tribe of South Africa belongs to the larger Nguni group of people. They are traditionally from the northern parts of South Africa, in areas adjacent to Zimbabwe, as well as down towards the eastern side of the country in the province known as Mpumalanga. Not much is know on how they split of from the larger group.

Social and Cultural Life

As the Ndebele are related to the Zulu group, they have a lot of similar customs and tribal organization. The tribal head (ikozi) is the leader, but he is also assisted by a council of elders. The family is led by the father and a family would live in a family unit called “uzumi”. If a chief had more than one wife, the “uzumi” was normally divided into two halves for each part of the family.

The Ndebele people are by far the most colorful tribal grouping in South Africa. Women, especially wears a lot of adornments and these symbolize their status in society. Copper rings would be worn around the neck and arms of a married woman to symbolize the bonds to her husband and his family line. These rings were never removed, until after the death of a husband. In recent times this custom is no longer being used commonly.

The Ndebele’s distinctive identity is largely achieved by their arts and crafts. Most designs are done by freehand, but normally designs would be planned freehand. This linear type of colorful art is still commonly seen on traditional houses, but has also started to appear in popular art.

Just have alook at how this little renault car was converted into a modern day Ndebele art work.

Initiation

Like in most other African groups, the initiation of young people is a major rite of passage into adulthood. Traditionally initiation schools for boys and girls take place every four years. This is also the time when family and friends will join for activities and festivities around the ceremonies.

Courtship & Marriage

Marriages would normally only be allowed between members of different clans. Brides are traditionally housed in a special area, secluded from all male eyes, for two weeks before the marriage ceremony. Women would after marriage join the family of her husband, but retain her own clan name. Children born from a marriage would take the father’s clan name.

The Ndebele people believed that illnesses were brought onto a person via spell or curses. Traditional healers were the ones to defeat these spells and the power of these healers were measured by their ability or successes. Traditional healer would throw a collection of bones down onto a mat and then read the future or cause of illness from the position of the bones.

Traditional healers were also seen as mediums, who could contact the ancestral spirits. In modern times there are still Ndebele who follow these old believes, but many now follow some form of Christianity.