News / Regional
All set for legal Njelele cleansing ceremony
24 Aug 2012 at 22:04hrs | Views
CHIEFS and spirit mediums have arrived at Njelele Shrine in Matobo District ahead of the cleansing ceremony set for today (Saturday ).
A majority of the spirit mediums are drawn from Matabeleland North and South as well as Midlands. Hundreds of villagers from other parts of the country are also expected to participate in the cleansing ceremony.
The traditional leaders set today as the cleansing date for the shrine following the repeated holding of unsanctioned rituals at the place by a group of war veterans, which forced the chiefs to order its closure.
Traditionalists have warned that unless proper cleansing is conducted, the unsanctioned visits to the shrine could lead to famine, outbreak of diseases and other natural disasters.
A Chronicle newscrew visited the shrine yesterday afternoon where the shrine keeper, Mr Solifa Ncube (81) popularly known as Khulu Thobela, Matabeleland South provincial chiefs' council chairman Chief Malaba of Kezi, headmen and village heads were gathered.
The spirit mediums and rain-makers known as ihosana, who were putting on their traditional regalia, had come from places such as Tsholotsho, Gweru, Gokwe, Mangwe and Bulilima.
Also present were villagers from Matobo area, where the shrine is.
A huge tent had been erected at Khulu Thobela's homestead to accommodate the delegates from far away places.
The homestead was a hive of activity as women were busy brewing beer while men were engaged in meetings.
In an interview Chief Malaba said every-thing was in place for the cleansing ceremony.
"I would not give much detail now, but what I can only say to you is that the cleansing ceremony is on tomorrow. You can come and observe what we are doing. As early as 10am, we will start our work," said Chief Malaba, who could not be drawn to elaborate on the nature of the programme.
The chiefs have said that the cleansing of the shrine was meant to appease the ancestors.
The cleansing ceremony follows concern that Njelele Shrine has been defiled after a group of 568 people that included war veterans and spirit mediums, forced its way into the place and conducted unsanctioned rituals without the knowledge and approval of local chiefs.
Recently, the same group sneaked into Matopos National Park after police blocked them from travelling to Njelele Shrine and reportedly dumped some stones and soil taken from the mass grave in Zambia where former Zipra freedom fighters are buried.
The development has been roundly condemned by war veterans, politicians and chiefs who described the visits as provocative and bent on corrupting the country's cultural fabric.
The defilement of the shrine has reportedly deprived hundreds of people who travel from all over the world for blessings from the rock as local leaders have since suspended visits to the shrine.
A majority of the spirit mediums are drawn from Matabeleland North and South as well as Midlands. Hundreds of villagers from other parts of the country are also expected to participate in the cleansing ceremony.
The traditional leaders set today as the cleansing date for the shrine following the repeated holding of unsanctioned rituals at the place by a group of war veterans, which forced the chiefs to order its closure.
Traditionalists have warned that unless proper cleansing is conducted, the unsanctioned visits to the shrine could lead to famine, outbreak of diseases and other natural disasters.
A Chronicle newscrew visited the shrine yesterday afternoon where the shrine keeper, Mr Solifa Ncube (81) popularly known as Khulu Thobela, Matabeleland South provincial chiefs' council chairman Chief Malaba of Kezi, headmen and village heads were gathered.
The spirit mediums and rain-makers known as ihosana, who were putting on their traditional regalia, had come from places such as Tsholotsho, Gweru, Gokwe, Mangwe and Bulilima.
Also present were villagers from Matobo area, where the shrine is.
A huge tent had been erected at Khulu Thobela's homestead to accommodate the delegates from far away places.
The homestead was a hive of activity as women were busy brewing beer while men were engaged in meetings.
In an interview Chief Malaba said every-thing was in place for the cleansing ceremony.
"I would not give much detail now, but what I can only say to you is that the cleansing ceremony is on tomorrow. You can come and observe what we are doing. As early as 10am, we will start our work," said Chief Malaba, who could not be drawn to elaborate on the nature of the programme.
The chiefs have said that the cleansing of the shrine was meant to appease the ancestors.
The cleansing ceremony follows concern that Njelele Shrine has been defiled after a group of 568 people that included war veterans and spirit mediums, forced its way into the place and conducted unsanctioned rituals without the knowledge and approval of local chiefs.
Recently, the same group sneaked into Matopos National Park after police blocked them from travelling to Njelele Shrine and reportedly dumped some stones and soil taken from the mass grave in Zambia where former Zipra freedom fighters are buried.
The development has been roundly condemned by war veterans, politicians and chiefs who described the visits as provocative and bent on corrupting the country's cultural fabric.
The defilement of the shrine has reportedly deprived hundreds of people who travel from all over the world for blessings from the rock as local leaders have since suspended visits to the shrine.
Source - Tc
