Page 49 - Heritage Streets of KwaMashu 2025

display is that the audience and onlookers are the judges – sometimes could be heard “behluliwe abakwamkhwenyana” (the bridegroom ensemble was defeated). This is followed by feasting for everyone. Other street names in Section B include “Cici Road” (a female earing), “Ndlamu Road” (a Zulu dance accompanied by drums and group of dancers in full traditional attire), “Mbando Road” (a specific Zulu dance style usually by male dancers with hiding-like imitations – from ukubanda = to hide), “Siphandla Road” – “isiphandla” is a skin bangle/ring like that is worn on the wrist of the hand (if it relates to your mother’s side it worn on the left wrist, and on the right wrist if the goat if for your father’s side). “Ukuphandla” relates to introducing a child to his/her ancestors, or to thank ancestors so when they visit at night the “isiphandla” will direct them to person the ceremony was about. Before “isiphandla” is worn it is first rubbed with the bile (inyongo). There is also “Jadu Road” – a special stylised Zulu dance usually done in the homestead during ceremonies of ancestors’ appeasement, or during “umemulo”, or during the ceremony of bringing back ancestors
of the homestead head (ukubuyisa idlozi lomnumzane) or even during the marriage ceremony. “Ijadu” dancing is not fast paced even the accompanying songs. It was initiated by male elders during times of joy and excitement in the midst of the traditional ceremony at Zulu homes or even when they are full and thanking the food, Zulu beer and meat given to them. People involved in ijadu must be in unison with their accompanying clappings, complementing the singing and the dance. This was one of the ways family people showed unity and great harmony as it also involves passing of this knowledge to others.
This Section B concludes with “Mchanguzo Road” - taken from the word “ukuchanguza” or “ukugana” or “ukushada”. Traditional wedding is an important aspect when two people are getting married because it is a way of introducing each individual to the ancestors. The commonly used word nowadays is “ukushada”, an Anglicised word that gained popularity from the early 1900s when the Western style of living was entrenched amongst the
Zulu people. As people were Westernised through Christianity marrying couples had their names written in a “CHART”, a piece of paper binding the bride and the bridegroom into a white marriage. The “chart” (iShadi) then meant the two are properly married (sebe”shadile”) - as per the recording of that marriage deed on the “chart”.
In Zulu culture, there are distinct traditional dances performed by both male and female dancers, each with its unique style, meaning, and purpose. In Kwa-Mashu, these dances are still taught to the younger generation, and they participate in dances during ceremonies and other events. Traditional dancing plays a crucial role in preserving Zulu culture, passing down ancestral traditions, and celebrating important occasions within the community. At every traditional function, you will find dancing (constantly accompanied by singing), which could either be performed by groups of men, groups of women or a mixture.
HERITAGE STREETS OF KWA-MASHU 45