The art of establishing and maintaining contact with ancestors: A study of Bapedi tradition

Abstract

Looking at Bapedi ancestor veneration constructively, one finds it a source of communication that enhances the community’s norms, values and personal well-being. The Bapedi community has a belief system that is based on the spiritual world, and this includes ancestor veneration. Communication with the spiritual world happens through sacrifices, songs and dance. Malopo is a ritual that not only binds the people to their ancestors (the ancestral realm) but also provides a healing therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the religious and social functions of ancestor veneration in the Bapedi society, as well as the relationship between culture, music and identity in veneration in the traditional healing Sepedi context. To achieve this aim, the study employed a naturalistic approach and data were collected through video recordings of malopo rituals, interviews and observations. The main questions the study addressed are (1) what are the religious and social functions of ancestor veneration in the Bapedi society? and (2) what is the relationship between culture, music and identity in veneration in Sepedi traditional healing context? The results demonstrated that ancestors are vital to Bapedi society, and the most effective ways of reaching them are through music and dance – malopo rituals, as well as divination bones.

“I did not know what to expect”: Music as a means to achieving work-life balance

“…Of the 22 participants, only three had visited some countries in Africa. In addition, they learnt about the importance of sharing, respect, ancestral worship, and consulting with elders (Emberly & Davhula, 2016; Lebaka, 2018). This aspect of cultural teaching gave participants some idea of the importance and the role music plays in African indigenous societies.…”

The Functional Role of Traditional Music and Dance in Xhosa Traditional Healers’ Ceremonial Rites

“…10 According to Lebaka, when contacting the ancestors, music and dance, as well as divination, are the most effective methods. 11 Mpono explains how music and dance are used in traditional healers' ceremonial rites. 12 She claims that dancing and singing give the healer the capability to diagnose and converse with the ancestors and that music and dance are considered ancestor connectivity devices.…”

“…posits that when the ancestors are required or need to be invoked, ritual music and dance are considered the most efficient ways of summoning them. 44 Kaeppler writes that dances stipulated by the ancestors must be performed as they were instituted; otherwise, the dances are ineffective, making the ritual futile and the message embedded in the ritual worthless to the ancestors. 45 While in a trance, the traditional healers mutter words that the audience might not understand.…”

“…47 According to Janzen, cited in Lebaka, traditional healers in the African context appease ancestral spirits for healing and protection through indigenous music and dance performance. 48 Nzewi states that music and dance are used as accompaniments to healing rites in various parts of Africa. 49 Wilson also claims that music is an important symbol of traditional healers' spiritual connections with spirits and deities.…”

Reflections on accessing indigenous research settings: Encounters with traditional health practitioners and leaders in Vhembe district, South Africa

“…Performing traditional rituals is a way of communicating with ancestors to open the gathering and protect the attendees from harm. Rituals are performed to bring peace and harmony between the two worlds, the living and the living-dead (Lebaka, 2018). Wojtkowiak (2018) added that rituals are found to bring emotions and thoughts through representative actions.…”