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Xhosa Heritage - African Traditional Religion
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The basic religous structures in African Religion are the CLANS. Clanship includes both paternal and maternal blood relatives. That is why ritual performances include the participation of abatshana(nephews and nieces). In all the clan rituals there is a formal way of conducting religious practice by the members of the clan. To cite a few; the eldery address the spiritual world and carry on the practical teaching of morality to the children and grandchildren, the aunts and abatshana(nephews and nieces); each member of the clan knows his/her role and rights inside the actual retual; harmony prevails in ritual performance otherwise the required holistic therapy therapy will not be achieved; disrespect results in punishment from the spiritual world.During ritual performances the members of the clan come together a week before sacrifing so as to ensure purification. They gather together in the main hut and teach the young ones all the practical levels of ritual participation.
Adapted from "African Traditional Religion: An introduction for beginners" - by Nokuzola Mndende, Icamagu Institute.1998 - 2007 Afrikan Virtual Resource and Nalane.
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