Author: Mabena TB

Due Date: 15 March 2024

Publish Date: 20 August 2024

Buyer Persona: People within studies or interested in the field of anthropology

In this blog I will be writing about teachings and beliefs that I believe are endogenous to my ethic group that have shaped my worldview. I will start by giving a brief insight on what endogenous means. I will also share what information is strange or familiar to me by noting my biases and prejudice as well as critically reflect upon these points.

The term endogenous refers to something that originates from a specific organization or individual and in this case originating from my own ethnic group. This is what my ethnic group believes defines and sets us apart from many. The teachings I believe are endogenous to my ethnic group are the fact that our clan name "Mbhuduma" ,an ox symbolizing chieftaincy in my tribe this further illustrates to us that we should thus characterize dominance in the Ndebele Kingdom in particular. It is also believed that women should only marry  man from particular clans as a form of strengthening the family name.

Upon stating biases and prejudices I believe what is strange and unfamiliar to me is that somewhere along our clan praises it further praises 'malila angakabethwa' meaning that we are weaklings how does that match characteristics of an ox. In terms of assigned marriages, isn't marrying different ethnics groups instead going to intensify the union of two clans , one can never know with these old forks. I strongly believe that these beliefs that still exist today were created in order to instill courage and discipline among our ethnic groups hence they are still used in order to groom or set right path for proper adulting.