An introduction to the ancestors

Last year, Mncube’s father finally introduced his daughter-in-law to the ancestors.

“After a beautiful rendition of izithakazelo, meaning praises attached to a particular group (in this case, the Mncubes) in which the clan’s forebears are also referred to, my father proudly reported thus:

‘I am reporting to you MaZilakatha [the Mncubes’ praise name] that uBhekisisa, the son of MaMlambo [my mother’s maiden name], is now married. He has two children. I appeal to you to guard and protect his new family. We pray for their good health, wealth and peace. My apologies for only telling you this now. It happened a while back.’

My father ought to have performed this ritual of ukuthetha idlozi in 2008, when I got married. Nonetheless, the eagerness with which he took to the task, albeit nine years later, made me chuckle. He even dispensed with the tradition