SHOULD ANCESTORS BE APPEASED?

Sir,

This is a question that arises in every black child’s mind who grew up being taught that in the kraal, grandmother’s hut and graveside dwells her forefathers, ‘bokhokhomkhulu’.

We now live in a century where we believe in Christianity and the supreme being is God the creator but still the question remains; are we supposed to be ignorant and forget our roots we found before us.

Kuphahla is the ritual we grew up being told that it is mostly done for thanksgiving and protection against any bad luck.
Thus as the younger generation, are we expected to follow our old Eswatini culture or do the will of God, which clearly states that ‘worship no other God but me’.

Believe

In a typical Eswatini home, when things do not go right, they tend to believe that their ancestors are angry towards them and then certain rituals are done to fix all that which in fact contradicts with our Christian.
In as much as you might have grown up in a traditional homestead, where lidziwo of umcombotsi is kept at emsamo for the family ancestors, you have the right to choose your own path.

Pressure

After all it is your life, do not feel pressured to follow in others’ footsteps. A lot of people claim that we have neglected our long life cultures and customs now that we are democratic and educated, yet that is not at all true because democracy came with free speech and will, enabling an individual to choose which religion he/she wants to follow.

Moreover even if you are living in a society where ancestors are appeased, that does not mean you are also forced to do so.
You can choose whatever you feel comfortable in doing or not following anything at all. The Oxford dictionary clearly explains ancestors as people who lived a better, long life on earth, which means they are the deceased family members and some people further call them ‘guardian angels’. In pre-text, they are watching over them.

Respecting our culture, however, is important but has nothing to do with appeasing ancestors and following something you do not believe in. Regardless of the type of background and society you were raised in, it is entirely up to you to appease your family ancestors or not.

Appeased

Long time ago ancestors were appeased because people believed that they had supreme powers and in this day and age, we are well informed that only God has those kind of powers.

In closing, being under pressure should not make you do something you do not know and believe in. Put your next generation into consideration too; do you wish them to believe in such cultures?

Phumla Uzanenkosi Dlamini

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