Khoisan light the way for new spiritual elders

KHOISAN chief Francisco Mackenzie ignited a ceremonial fire that will burn throughout next week, then circled the cast iron pot shaking a calabash, as his companions chanted and beat out rhythms.

They were burning the kooigoed herb, scientifically known as Helichrysum odoratissimum and commonly used to treat coughs, colds, headaches and other ailments.

The ceremony took place on a piece of open land yesterday, opposite the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in Keizersgracht in District Six.

As they chanted and circled, the kooigoed smoke blew towards Table Mountain, which Chief Mackenzie declared was a good sign.

Tania Kleinhans- Cedras, secretary-general of the Institute for the Restoration of the Aborigines of South Africa, described the coming week as the intercession period before the !nau ceremony, when elders would be elected.

She said the fire would be tended day and night, in shifts, until the completion of the !nau, which she described as a “cleansing period of deep reflection”.

“We are asking for divine blessing. We are spiritual beings... We chant as the spirit moves us.”

Fifteen elders would be elected on Saturday next week.

“Nations need to recognise the role of elders,” she added.

The group would slaughter animals to mark people with blood during the ceremony, which would take place at the same location. Mackenzie said elders would be selected in terms of their contribution to society: “We have lost the role of elders. We need to bring forth this customary practice,” he said, adding that the elders would be expected to set an example for the members of their community.

wendyl.martin@inl.co.za