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Langalakhe Mabena, Sunday Life Reporter
MEMBER of the Khumalo royal family Prince Peter Zwide Khumalo, who recently attended the Inxwala ceremony held in Zambia, has described it an eye opener into history, highlighting key lessons that African leaders can adopt as they prepare for various traditional rituals and celebrations.
The Inxwala ceremony was hosted by Inkosiyamakhosi (King) Mphezeni of the Ngoni nation of Zwangendaba, who is a leader of the Chipata Kingdom in Zambia. The event was held in the eastern province (Chipata) of Zambia.
Members of the Khumalo royal family in Zimbabwe were led by Prince Zwide. These included Princes Paul kaMsindowezinkomo Khumalo, Gqibo kaMuka Khumalo, Oscar Khumalo, as well as Nyararai Sibanda.
The guest of honour was Inkosiyamakhosi Mbelwa V, of Mzimba Kingdom in Malawi, who is a brother to King Mphezeni.
Other invited guests included Dr Senzeni Khumalo of National Museums of Zimbabwe, the Ambassador to Zambia Charity Charamba and Deputy Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Paul Bayethe Damasane, Bulelani kaRhodes Njube, Chief Dakamela, Prince Ayanda kaMakosonke kwaNdebele and Inkosi Gumbi, to mention a few.
Also part of the ceremony was Inkosi Gomane Gumede of the Chewa in Malawi in the Mzimba Kingdom and Inkosi Nzamane, among the visiting royals from Malawi.
Prince Zwide revealed that the ceremony was well curated such that different rituals were done in line with the history and knowledge on how it was done back then.
“I had a great cultural experience at this year’s Inxwala Ceremony in Zambia. From all the activities that took place at the event, I was moved by how proper rituals of the Inxwala were done.
“To bless the ceremony, an ox was slaughtered on site. Fresh blood, of the beast was brought to King Mphezeni in a traditional wooden bowl. The carrier handed the bowl to the King and he seemed to sip a little bit of the contents. A few minutes after, the same carrier brought to the King the same bowl full of roasted liver.
“He knelt in front of King Mphezeni and picked one piece of meat and ate it to show that the meat was not poisoned (ukukhipha umuthi). The King then picked a piece of meat and ate it. It was only after he(King Mphezeni) had tasted the meat that his followers could also eat. The meat was then circulated to us and we each picked up a piece of liver.
“This was an important act symbolising his permission that people can eat anything after his tasting of the food. Among the Ndebele ka Mzilikazi, this act would be equivalent to tasting the field fruits by the King before the public can eat anything from the fields (Inxwala),” said Prince Zwide.
As one of the organisers of the King Mzilikazi’s Annual Commemorations, Prince Zwide said there is a need for them to learn from King Mphezeni on how to curate a great cultural celebration that restores the legacy and the pride of the Ndebele nation.
He said to make King Mzilikazi’s ceremony smooth, the main organisers Mthwakazi ka Mzilikazi Cultural Association (MMCA) should identify an events planner they will work together with to make the even more detailed.
“One of the lessons from Inxwala ceremony is that people must focus on the main reason of the ceremony. To us, the focus should only be the spiritual connection of our nation through King Mzilikazi.
“The Nguni nation is the second largest ethnic group in Africa and undoubtedly, the largest in the Southern and Central African Region. Hence, there is a need to create ourselves into a cultural movement and lead in the revival and sustenance of African cultural sovereignty and identity. This all starts with curating cultural events that reflect us,” he said.
This year’s King Mzilikazi Commemorations will be held on 4 and 5 September. If planned and curated well, organisers will have a successful event, one that serves the purpose of unifying the Ndebele nation.
Online Reporter