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Khekheke with Puffadder
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South African Sangoma, a legend in his time and descendant of the great Zulu leader Diniswayo, the mentor of King Shaka. A family man with 16 wives and over 100 children. Power to communicate with the zulu ancestors.
On the 23rd February each year he holds the annual first fruits ceremony which was done by earlier Zulu Kings.A feast is held and Khekheke performs this ceremony at his homestead overlooking the Tugela river. Many sangomas are invited to attend.
He has messages to impart and history to tell about Diniswayo and how he acquired his power of snakes as a young man.The ceremony involves many sangomas who he leads holding a few venomous snakes in his bare hands. He lter puts their heads in his mouth demonstaring his power over evil.
Much dancing and singing takes place with the younger generation joining with more modern songs and dance.This is one of the very rare traditional ceremonies that still takes place.
The enigmatic healer, who was born Zizwezonke Mthuthwa, has used his mystique to woo 14 wives and sire almost 100 children.
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Khekheke's Students
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He has also built a local transport and bus ampire, and last month launched a "real Africa" tourisim initiative to bring foreigners to rural Zululand to understand African spirituality.
"My zulu ancestors come to me im dreams and tell me where the snakes will be waiting for me. They are always diffrent snakes and co-operate when I used them in the ceremonies.I've been bitten so many times I cannot count but my body is strong and the poison no longer affects me,"said South African sangoma Khekhekhe.
"The snakes , in fact, makes me stronger,and our Okweshwama (harvest) ceremonies more powerful."
Khekhekhe's fame has attracted scores of hopeful sangomas, wha live in the patriach's kraal for years and learn his secrets. Most of his 14 wifes came to Ngudwini as student sangomas and injangas but fell under Khekhekhe's spell and married him.
His youngest wife, MaBijela (25), is expecting Khekhekhe's latest child.
The child will join a virtual tribe of his offspring, who all live at his sprawling homestead in Ngudwini.
"I don't know exactly how many children Ihave, but someone once counted and told us it was 100," muses Khekhekhe.
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Khekheke & Sangomas
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Known for bravery, Khekhekhe has flown in the face of tradition and opend ceremonies to the public that customarily remain secret-even to local villagers.
The ceremonies have become so popular that poor rural villages travel almost 100 km to witness them, while small groups of up to 10 tourists have also begun attending.
"I don't want our beliefs to die .I am now 84 years old and not many people still know all the old secrets. The world must learn to understsnd our beliefs and maby then they"ll respect them.I there for see no problem allowing ordianary Zulus or visitors to participate- as long as it doesn't become an entertainment act or circus just for tourists," said Khekhekhe.
Undiluted venom from Africa's deadliest snakes, the Green mamba, is the secret behind the longevity and virility of KwaZULU-Natal"s and South African sangoma also most powerful of sangomas. 84-year-old Khekhekhe.
Khekhekhe publiciy sucks the poison straight from live snakes at sacred OKWESHWAMA ceremonies at his NGUDWINI home near Eshowe.
The bizarre ritual,wich experts insist should kill Khekhekhe on the spot, has established the charismatic healer as one of northen KZN's most influential sangomas. Communication with ones Zulu ancestors is of great importance in Zulu culture.
Dumisane Lubisi & Sara Eriksson
Other Tours
Zululand Eco-Tours. From The George Hotel and Zululand Backpackers. Eshowe.
1.Tours to other Zulu Villages. Walters Zulu Village
2.Tours to Traditional Zulu Ceremonies Traditional Zulu Ceremonies.
3.Tours to Sangomas Healings and Initiations. Sangomas Healing and Initiations
4. Walking Township Tours. King Dinizulu Township Tour
5. Three day Zululand Outback Tour. Zululand Outback Tour
6. Zululand Weekend Package. Zululand Weekend Package
For information on Sangomas initiations check our site out.Sangoma Initiations and Ceremonies
Zululand Eco-Adventures.
Eshowe. Zululand. KwaZulu Natal. South Africa.
info@eshowe.com
035 4744919.
Your Guides:
Graham Chennells. Walter Cele. Victor Mdluli. Daryn Watkins
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