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Xhosa Heritage - African Traditional Religion

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The Supernatural Power

The adherents of African Traditional Religion believe in the existence of the Supernatural Power which created life and the earth. Neither science nor humans can explain the power of the Creator. Though the Spiritual Power is believed to be everywhere in creation, it is also believed to have a special place where creation began, in the spiritual world. The spiritual world is holy, where laws, observances and taboos that Supernatural Power or God is the author of all these laws that regulate life, these should be strictly adhered to. Africa is made up of many nations with each having its own name(s) for the Creator. some groups may share a common name. The attributes of the Creator, as perceived by different ethnic groups in Africa, have resulted in different names associated with the Spiritual Power. The following are some of the attributes associated with the Creator.

Mdali (Ndebele, Xhosa and Zulu), Musiki (Shona): these names mean that the Supernatural Power is the Creator.
Nkulu-nkulu (Zulu), Zimu (Ndebele) meaning that God is the greatest of all.
Mwari (Shona), Modimo (Sotho-Tswana), Mulungu(Chewa), Mudzimu(Venda). These are the names associated with greatness, benevolence, and sustaining power.
Mvelinqangi/Mvelatanci/Mvelincanti (Zulu and Swati). These names show that the Creator existed before creation.
Besides the attributes of the Creator, amaXhosa also have Qamata as a personal name for the Creator.

Adapted from "African Traditional Religion: An introduction for beginners" - by Nokuzola Mndende, Icamagu Institute.