Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube [email protected]
WHEN Xolisani Mashudzha Moyo set out to build his dream homestead in Manora Village near Insuza, Bubi District in Matabeleland North, he was not simply putting up houses — he was creating a modern rural lifestyle for his family while preserving the traditions that define his community.
The 37-year-old father of 10, who has two wives, has transformed his homestead into a striking blend of comfort and traditional architecture, complete with spacious houses, a modern thatched hut, piped water, bathrooms, septic tanks, television and Starlink internet.
After the first phase of building houses, he hosted a three-day celebration last week, fusing culture and modernity in what was dubbed the “home-warming party”.
As a traditionalist at heart, the “modern” home-warming party featured two days of traditional ceremony and served guests with traditional beer while those with ancestral spirits calling led in the “blessing” of the opening of the homestead.
The third day featured live performances by musicians Mlambos Express Band, Godolude and Abigail Mabuza.
Born in a polygamist family, Xolisani says his mother had four children, three daughters and him being the only son.
“My firstborn is 22-years-old and is now married. In our culture, you cannot continue staying in the same home when your son has his own family.
“So, I had to move out and build my own home so that I give them some form of freedom,” he said.
“Traditionally, our elders would say susiyakudla iqolo, meaning you are assuming authority when you start your own home. This also helps bring peace in the homestead because if many families stay together, there is bound to be conflict.”
Xolisani said he grew up immersed in tradition with various traditional practices like the ukuthethela ceremony being observed religiously.
As a son of a traditional healer, who grew up seeing many people come far and wide to consult, it was only befitting that his home warming featured his traditional values.
“Bangitshayela ihlahla and I started building my homestead last year in November. We set Thursday and Friday for the traditional ceremony. It involved brewing traditional beer in the old homestead and we conducted some rites invoking the ancestors to protect the new home,” he said.
“The elders also came to the new homestead with iqhaga of beer to invoke the blessings and protection of the ancestors for my family. Once the elders entered the homestead, they spread insipho (dregs), which is believed traditionally to bring peace and eliminate fights,” he explained.
Xolisani said after the brief ceremony in the new home, they returned to the old homestead and conducted a traditional night vigil till morning.
He said the ceremony brought together a number of those with ancestral spirit callings.
“On Saturday we had the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark our official entrance to the homestead. We had people from Igusu, Mbembesi, Insuza and nearby villages here to celebrate with us from morning till the next day.”
While he grew up in a polygamous family, Xolisani says he initially did not want to be in one.
“This is not something I wanted or planned; it just happened. There are about three reasons why men get into polygamy. The first reason is having a lot of money. Number two is because of lack of happiness at home with your wife and third is cultural; some families have it in them to be polygamous,” he said.
Xolisani said polygamy genes run in the family blood, hence he had to adjust to the new reality.
He said his first wife, MaNcube, is from Binga while the second, MaSibanda, is from Plumtree.
“For polygamy to work, the man has to balance things up always like a builder who uses the spirit level when building. If you favour one over the other, it will be a disaster. We are one happy family; we all know our roles, and they do things together like sisters and that is the same with children,” he said.
Mr Moyo said he bought his wives a car, which they share, and that he never drives with them in his car.
He said they alternate between Bulawayo and their new homestead. Xolisani said his next move is to create a fishpond, an orchard and an irrigation scheme where the locals can be employed to earn a living and support Government efforts of rural development. —@themkhust
