Limpopo’s cultural diversity celebrated through marula fruit
“It is good to see that the traditional leaders performed the opening ritual before we proceeded with the ceremony. It shows that we have not lost our culture,” he said.
‘Ku Luma Vukanyi’, an annual ceremony aimed at promoting knowledge and the art of brewing marula beer, was celebrated recently.
The official opening of the first fruit season was held by the Limpopo MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture Thandi Moraka and MEC for Limpopo Economic Development and Tourism, Thabo Mokone on 15 February at the Valoyi Cultural Village in N’wamita. This ceremony serves as a build up activity for the annual Marula Festival being hosted in Phalaborwa on 23 February which aims to celebrate Limpopo’s cultural diversity and heritage.
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The President of Traditional Healers Association in the SADC region, Dr Sylvester Hlathi officiated the welcoming ceremony through traditional praises to the ancestors.
He spoke of the importance of including our ancestors before any ceremony can commence because it is part of our tradition.
He believes that the marula tree is very important to our tradition and hopes to impart his knowledge and history of the tree to the youth.
“The marula tree is not only important to the N’wamita village but to all Africans. It is important we continue to honour and respect this tree and its tradition.”
Chief Tinyiko of N’wamita II spoke of the importance of not losing the African traditions and the way of life we have practiced through the years. “We know that we have one living God but our ancestors are also important to us as Africans.”
She believes that if we continue to follow our traditions we will continue to receive blessings from our ancestors. She also took the time to address Gender Based Violence and reminded members of the community that it should come together to solve the problem.
Thandi Moraka highlighted the importance of traditional leaders, custodians of indigenous knowledge, when it comes to challenges faced by communities such as poverty and inequality.
Traditional healers are important because they have the ability to further develop communities. She proposed that other museums and heritage sites play a role in preserving, conserving and promoting our heritage alongside with its traditional leaders, to form programs which will teach the youth about our history.
“We’ve forgotten our old ways of living. Other members of society call our tradition witchcraft and we believe that our clothes make us look less sophisticated. We need to go back to our roots without shame.”
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She believes that the ceremony was important because it continues to raise awareness of our indigenous customs and traditions and also celebrating the marula tree and its riches.
Several cultural groups from various districts in the province entertained the community in the presence of chiefs from different areas. Over 1 500 litres of marula beer was distributed to the community members. One of the community members, Patrick Manganyi says he was happy to be part of the event.
