marble nkomo
Not all people got married through the elaborate umthimba process as described in the previous threads.
Poor people had their own ceremony known as udiwo/clay pot. Udiwo referred to the bride/umlobokazi.
The father of the girl would then request two women or just one to accompany the girl to her in-laws on the appointed day.
The girl would still undergo ukucolwa ngembuzi by her father just like in the umthimba ceremony.
The women left the bride’s home late in the afternoon so that they would arrive at her in-laws when it is already dark.
This is distinct from the umthimba ceremony, which was done in broad daylight with much pomp and fanfare.
Upon arrival at the in-laws, they sat outside the homestead until someone was sent to usher them inside.
The lady accompanying the bride would then say, Silethe umntwana ozokwenda / We have brought our child for marriage.
The ladies would be welcomed with ululations and after a meal, they would spend the night.
In the morning, the ukucola ceremony would be done by the groom’s father to welcome umlobokazi to the home without the ukumekeza ceremony associated with the umthimba ceremony.
At times, udiwo would request her young sister to accompany her, to keep her company and help her with the household duties. There was no sonyongwana to help her like in the umthimba ceremony.
Bongani Ndlovu