Online Reporter
Mzala Tom
In the olden days people did not visit spiritual practitioners as a first resort. Life challenges were normally dealt with within the family before they could be escalated to higher sources.
Ukuphehla isithundu was one of the practices that was believed to unlock good success in life. A small gourd/iqobho, containing frothing herbs/isithundu, was placed on a person’s head and was stirred/ ukuphehla while petitions were made on their behalf through the ancestors.
This practice was done for a person who had umnyama/ misfortunes following them in life. It was also done for those who desired to get married and were facing relationship failures or for those who wanted to travel to far away lands in search of fortunes and success.
Ukuphehla isithundu was also practiced by a father for his daughter as part of the Ndebele marriage customs and rituals which we discussed in previous threads on marriage rites and customs.
This ritual was done after sunset. Different herbs were mixed for the concoction. These herbs were believed to have powers to chase away evil spirits, misfortunes and bad luck. These herbs included isithundu, ingwaqela, uvelabahleke,umlomomnandi, ingobamakhosi, ukhalimela etc.
The person stirring would stir until thick form developed and flowed down the head and the rest of the body of the recipient. The thick form is itchy but the recipient had to be strong and stay still. As the person was stirring they would make positive confessions.
Afterwards the recipient had to go straight home without looking back or sideways or even greeting any person along the way. The ritual was done in any nearby bush away from people. The gourd and stirring stick were left in the bush.
It was believed that after ukuphehlelwa isithundu a person’s life was transformed with remarkable good fortune and success. Any adult family could phehla isithundu for their relative. It could be a brother doing for his sister, father for his son, uncle for his nephew etc.
derick.khumalo