SOUTH AFRICA: Thousands of Shembe religious sect followers trek barefoot to sacred mountain on annual pilgrimage

Record ID: 455961

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Thousands of Shembe religious sect followers trek barefoot to sacred mountain on annual pilgrimage
  • Date: 11th January 2007
  • Summary: (AD1) NDWEDWE, SOUTH AFRICA (JANUARY 8, 2007) (REUTERS) SHEMBE PILGRIMS HEADING FOR THE HOLY MOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS TREKKING ACROSS THE VELD PILGRIMS CARRYING SACRAMENT ON THEIR HEADS WALKING ALONG THE ROAD PILGRIMS WALKING CLOSE UP OF PILGRIMS BARE FEET PILGRIMS WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MTHEMBENI MPANZA, SHEMBE EVANGELIST, SAYING: "When we go to the mountain, we are commemorating that event, that 1913 event, where God made a covenant with Shembe that he is now amongst the African people." PILGRIMS ARRIVING AT THE FOOT OF THEIR SACRED MOUNT NHLANGAKAZI VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS SAYING PRAYERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) NJ SITHOLE, SHEMBE PILGRIM, SAYING: "It is very important because my grandfather started to come here in 1939, so I am still following him. And I will be going on until the end of the day. This is very important, not for me, but for everyone, for the whole Africa as well." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ZAMA ZUMA, SHEMBE PILGRIM, SAYING: "Every time when I come here asking for something, when I walk I pray, I talk to my ancestors, I talk to my God, and really it does happen, every day and every time to all the people." VIEW OF PILGRIMS ON MOUNT NHLANGAKAZI PILGRIMS ON MOUNTAINSIDE.
  • Embargoed: 26th January 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA9FXSMAAC6V1GQRYGNXLB2UI3O
  • Story Text: Thousands of Shembe religious sect followers turned up for their annual pilgrim to the sacred Nhlangakazi mountain, where they believe their prophet, Isaiah Shembe first made convenant with God in 1913.
    "When we go to the mountain, we are commemorating that event, that 1913 event, where God made a covenant with Shembe that he is now amongst the African people," said Mthembeni Mpanza, a Shembe preacher.
    Draped in white and barefooted and carrying traditional sticks, the Shembe faithful, brave the morning cold and afternoon heat as they snake through the bushes.
    The journey to the top of the sacred Nhlangakazi mountains takes over three days, with the followers stopping for a few minutes to say prayers. During the pilgrimage, the Shembe take part in hypnotic, trance-like dance, with the men leading the way and women and children following.
    Members of the sect believe that, by being faithful to this tradition, their prayers and wishes will always be granted.
    "Every time when I come here asking for something, when I walk I pray, I talk to my ancestors, I talk to my God, and really it does happen, every day and every time to all the people," said Zama Zuma, a Shembe pilgrim.
    There are over 4.5 million Shembe followers. South Africans are the majority while the rest come from the neighbouring countries of Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
    The church is currently led by Phrophet Isaac's fourth successor who is believed to be a miracle performer.
    The sect preaches Christian values mixed with African traditions, insisting that western Christianity is only good for western traditional values.
    At the end of the long trek up the mountain, the Shembe faithful get an opportunity to meet their prophet and to be healed and blessed by him. The pilgrimage attracts an increasing number of followers each year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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