SM SELEMATSELA

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SM SELEMATSELA

WHERE I KNOW FROM

20 May 2024, 18:54 Publicly Viewable

SM SELEMATSELA 53219988

I know from a Southern province, Limpopo a place where the Bapedi culture falls under. I grew around a grandmother who adores our culture and tries to keep it alive. The concepts engraved in the Pedi ethnic groups tapestry of its cultural teachings and beliefs have had a significant role in my life ever since I was brought about. These concepts and beliefs have provided me with different perspectives as they helped in navigating the world we live in. These lessons where passed down from one generation to another and growing up I was told that they act as a force of guidance, for instance, molding us to being what is required in the culture. And it's safe to say these things have molded me to the person I am today.

One of the most unique things I was educated about in the Bapedi culture is the "Rainmaker'', the Rainmaker is an important figure in the Pedi group. They are often valued for their ability to bring rain during dry seasons, they are believed to have spiritual connections along with power that enables them to communicate with the ancestors and forces of nature, which influences the weather pattern the people whom were chosen and nurtured from birth to become a rainmaker are known as  Moraka who was taught by an elder Moraka , which means rain making doctor, this highlights the importance of nature and spiritual affairs in the Pedi group. The Pedi culture places a strong emphasis on community and working together for the common good, which can be seen through, social gatherings and farming, it was believed that when the Rainmaker was summoned to bring the rain, the reason for a drought would be caused by conflicts amongst the community so they were required to come together and resolve their conflicts so that the ritual will be a success. Which highlights the importance in communalism and cooperation within the group.  

The second aspect within the Bapedi ethnic group is ancestral veneration, although there are other ethnicities that also do ancestral worshiping, the Pedi group does it differently, this includes, offerings and prayers directed to the ancestors to seek their guidance and blessings. Some of these rituals are done by slaughtering an animal for instance a goat or a cow as a piece of offering this ritual is called "go phasa'' during this ritual, they can do this for weddings, funerals or gatherings, the most important figure family member called kgadi, presents the African traditional beer made from different types of sorghum and serves it to the elders, only she can make and present it, no one else.

When we need to talk to our ancestors, some may use the African traditional beer while some use snuff, and it is believed that the ancestors can come to you via the spiritual powers and gift you with strength to heal an individual by the use of bones, also known as ditaola.

My perspectives were greatly influenced by my culture, the Bapedi culture, it entailed a strong sense of cultural pride. I learned how to go about life challenges and how to gracefully embrace my identity, enabling me to make contributions to the world around me.