ROOT REMINDER
Young woman’s rite awakens call for return to customs
Traditional leaders and cultural activists in SA are calling for the preservation of the custom of
intonjane – the Xhosa rite of passage celebrating the change from girlhood to womanhood – saying it was an endangered custom which could disappear if something were not done to protect it.
This was the call made during the intonjane homecoming of Qaqamba Mancotywa, the only daughter of national heritage council boss Sonwabile Mancotywa and Skumza Mancotywa at Ross Mission in Mthatha on Saturday.
Qaqamba could have enjoyed a lavish 21st birthday party, but instead the third-year university student opted to return to a custom that her family had abandoned more than a 100 years ago.
Her father said intonjane was last practised in the family 140 years ago after his forefathers became Christian converts. “When she asked for intonjane we did not know where to start, as we were clueless about it. After lots of research, we agreed and our relative of the Mkhomazi clan in Coghlan, mam’u Nosithile Makhikhi, was arranged to be her mentor and to conduct the ceremony,” said Sonwabile.
Calling for the preservation of the dwindling custom was Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) national secretary-general, heritage and cultural activist Zolani Mkiva, Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders and Contralesa provincial chair Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyana and AmaMpondo King Zanozuko Sigcau who all attended the event.
“Like male cultural or traditional initiation, intonjane is equally import to women, making our young women good leaders,” said Mkiva.
Nonkonyana and Mkiva said arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the kings throughout SA, as well as their traditional leaders, must be at the forefront of the campaign to protect and promote the custom of intonjane.
Nonkonyana said: “Within traditional and customary practices a woman is such a very important figure. The seniority of royal houses are determined through them. Women who have undergone the rite always end up being good leaders and mothers. We cannot allow this rite to die.”
As part of the rite, Qaqamba had to be in seclusion for 21 days, sleeping on a grass mat on a hard floor and undergoing strenuous sessions learning about womanhood, as well as African norms and values.