Chiefs and villagers pray for rain and end of drought

WITH the country in a serious drought, traditional leaders in Eastern Cape have revived an age-old custom of appealing for divine intervention for rain.

The Mpondo traditional prayer for rain, was recently performed by two Libode traditional leaders – Chief Jongusapho Bokleni and Chief Zwelicacile Ndamase.

“We consulted with all religious leaders including diviners and sangomas and a date was set,” said Bokleni.

According to traditionalists, the ritual is conducted in sacred places like mountains, hills, valleys or deep-flowing rivers.

In some areas people wear their traditional attire and (traditional beer) is brewed and taken to the sacred place where the prayer is to be conducted.

Bokleni led a group of about 100 men to the Ntlaza River early on Saturday morning.

“This is part of our cultural practices and we grew up with it being done like that. At the river we all joined in prayer asking the Creator to let the rain fall so that His creation does not perish,” said Bokleni.

“After the prayer we evoke the spirit of our ancestors and ask them to plead on our behalf with the Almighty to let it rain.”

He said there were signs of rain on the same day, and when they woke up the next day, it rained.

“The heavens did open for us and it has been raining since Sunday,” Bokleni said on Tuesday.

On Monday morning, Ndamase led a group of about 80 men and women to the tribe ’ s sacred place, the Mount Ntabethemba (Mount of Hope), for special prayers.

“We conducted both the Christian prayer and our African traditional way of prayers as AmaMpondo.

“Desperate times call for desper- ate measures. Divine intervention is not a new phenomenon, but was something that was done by our forebears during times of famine, drought and diseases. We appeal to God the Creator to have mercy and bless us with rain, abundant rain,” said Ndamase.

He said there have been light showers since Monday.

The two chiefs urged all religious groups to continue praying for rain. They also intend proposing a rain prayer when they meet Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase tomorrow.

Emerging farmer Sizwe Kupelo said they have been affected badly by the drought. “I am hopeful that it will rain again. The dry grass, sullen soil, thin cows and dried up rivers will change.

“My stock is malnourished. I have spent a lot of money in feedlock, lucerne and beef feed,” he said.

Kupelo remembered the former Transkei homeland days when chief Kaizer Matanzima would declare a day of national prayer during drought. All citizens would then converge on the then Transkei Independence Stadium in Mthatha.

“Rain indeed would fall, fill the river and drought would perish. Even these days we can all pray for rain and it will rain,” said Kupelo.