GEORGE NEWS - The summer initiation season for young Xhosa men, which started in November, is going well.
This is according to George Initiation Forum chairperson Mzwandile Gingcana, who spoke to George Herald last week at the Phelandaba initiation village.
More than 151 boys are going through initiation this season, with 55 of them staying at Phelandaba at the back of Jonga High School.
Gingcana thanked the Department of Culture, Arts and Sports (Dcas) and Breede Gouritz Water Catchment Agency for supplying two water tanks for the initiation season. The tanks were placed at the LTA side (next to the N2) and Phelandaba Initiation village.
They need one or two tanks for other sites as well, but intend approaching George Municipality for support in this regard.
Gingcana also shed some light on the rules and practices that are in play during this time. Money, alcohol, weapons, drugs and other related substances are strictly prohibited at the initiation school.
The father figure in the family has to regularly visit the initiate (Umkhwetha) to see whether the initiates' nurse is carrying out daily duties and monitoring the healing process.
While the amaHlubi and Basotho prepare their food in the mountains during initiation, the amaXhosa initiates receive freshly cooked meals from home - just enough, so that surplus food will not attract flies and rodents.
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