This dissertation aims to critically evaluate the Incwala Sacred Ceremony
and its relevancy to Ancestral Veneration in the life of the Swazi Nation.
Swazis to a greater extent are believed to be quite obsessed about their
cultural heritage. They view this cultural event as sacred and very
important in their national unity and pride of being a sovereign entity. They
religiously observe this rite as an integral part of their cultural heritage and
see it as a vital glue that holds together the national unity and cements the
eternity of the Swazis' existence. Celebrating and commemorating this
sacred festival can be equated to what Christians do when celebrating and
observing Good Friday or Holy Easter. It could also be related to the
Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Swazis are strongly connected to their Ancestral Veneration. It is
inculcated in their core system of beliefs and is part of their lives because
it tends to shape their religious view, as well as moulding it. The Supreme
God (Mvelinchanti) is believed to have spoken to the founding fathers of
the nation about how the nation ought to conduct its affairs (in different
forms through visions and dreams). Hence there is a deeply held view that
the departed kings and the forefathers are believed to be alive and closer
to that very Supreme God. According to this long held view the dead are
asleep and are continually involved in directing the affairs of the nation.
Indeed they decide on blessings, health and life of the living. It is embedded in the subconscious mind of Swazis that the living dead
(emadloti, labaphasi or labalele) continually influence the affairs of the
nation and any given family; hence they need to be consulted from time to
time.
Emadloti are the mediators between human beings and God and they
can be contacted through the spiritual mediums. The national elders and
advisors to the Monarchy,1 as well as traditional medicine persons (muti)
people (Tinyanga and Tangoma), are there as custodians of the Incwala
Ceremony. In any given family, emadloti (ancestors) are consulted in
times of marriages, new births and any other eventualities that may befall
that family. In the life and worldview of Swazis, nothing just happens
without any involvement and sanction of the ancestors. In fact, for
anything to happen in the life of a Swazi, there must be a supernatural
cause or reason, hence in the very core of foundational beliefs there are
involvements of the supernatural powers and the forces believed to be
operational. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Specialization in Urban Ministry)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/545 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Mabuza, Comfort |
| Contributors | Molobi, V.S. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (vi, 166 leaves) |
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