#ubuhlanti

[elundini]

The kraal or Ubuhlanti is a place where livestock is kept. It is a site regarded with high esteem among Xhosas, as it is a place where communication with ancestors and life giving rituals are performed. #xhosa #traditionalceremony #rurallife #umgidi #ubuhlanti #thisisafrica #meetsouthafrica #backpackingafrica #travelyoung #easterncapetourism #zuidafrika #afriquedusud #southafricathroughmyeyes #elundinivibes #roadtrip #adventureisoutthere (at Hogsback, Eastern Cape) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ad3oZJ4RE/?igshid=14bbfj1ripshp

[peterruprecht]

Ubuhlanti Stage at @afrikaburn designed by @steeleism. It was a very special experience. @renzopuccini playing a set. @valentinobarrioseta one of the driving forces behind the stage. :) (at AfrikaBurn)

[sessona]

For the past 5 months I’ve been listening to Umhlobo Wenene, which is a national Xhosa radio station with a large listenership especially in the Eastern and Western Cape, it has made me feel so close and connected to home and to my people.

Their use of the language is something that really reminds me of home. Their everyday experiences make me feel connected to my people that I left behind.

Today in their breakfast show they were discussing unusual things that people do in an effort to preserve culture and tradition. From people taking their boys “ehlathini” in the suburbs to people using poles and barrier tapes to erect “ubuhlanti”. One caller brewed “umqombothi” in Cape Town, in 2017, for people who have possibly been born and bred in suburbia. That made me actually want to write and express my views on a lot of things which have been deemed to be “culture” for a very long time, with times not being considered to determine their relevance.

I can imagine in 1918, a century ago, “umqombothi” was the best craft beer there was, it was the Moet of that time, the best champagne available in the market and it was served to guests to show them warmth and to entertain them. 100 years later we still think it is the best way to entertain guests, in spite of everything that’s been made available over the years and much more appealing and possibly better.It’s unfortunate that I had to start my point by talking about beer. 

I’m a hardcore lover of culture and traditions, I believe they define who we are and where we’re going. They are what makes us unique and what keeps us grounded in this ever changing society. Also, I scrutinise it a lot and will not just take anything and run with it. Let’s take for an example the gifts that a new bride brings for her new family - the in laws in modern language - ‘Ikhuko, imbiza yesiXhosa, emere nezitya zencence’ which were the best at the time when our ancestors decided on the tradition. Gifts obviously carefully selected, and serving the needs and desires of that time. There was no fine China, there was no designer crockery back then, no fancy ottomans or taps in the house and so those were everyday tools for the then makoti to serve her in laws and make both her life and their lives a little easier.

In 2018, we have running water even in the deep rural arears, there are fridges that dispose water from outside and so no one needs emere to go fetch water from the river or store water in the kitchen for cooking and drinking, times have changed, our needs and desires have evolved with time. If what the in laws need in the modern day is a wi-fi router, then that’s what we should get them, if they need  a curved 3D TV to replace the old one then that’s what we should get, if they don’t have serving dishes to entertain guests then that’s what we should get for them. 

I really think we need to move away from making everything “our culture” when really it’s what used to be relevant back then. The motive and the heart is what culture really is, how we do things, how we relate with other people is what makes us who we are. For me my culture is how I relate with my neighbours, how I dress my body, how I speak, how I address my husband, how I address my elders and how I carry myself. It is my culture to cover my body as much as I can as a married woman, to cook and serve my husband, to respect my in laws even when I feel they are wrong, to carry myself in a way that will not bring disrepute to my family or my people. It is my culture to dance to good music and to give thanks where it’s due. To cry when I am sad and to protect my family as isikhukhukazi (the hen) of my household. To not discuss my issues with the world, to cover my head to show respect when with my in laws. To share my food with the next person, to share in what I have, to give, to receive with an open heart to love and to respect, to say ‘Ndiyabulela’ and ‘Uxolo’, that is my culture. It makes sense to me and it is something I will pass down to my children and hopefully them, to their children and their children’s children.

[lexi-tyler]

You Are The Only One - AfrikaBurn 2018 - Ubuhlanti Stage by TantRut https://ift.tt/2roz3Kh

[vgrrr]

https://soundcloud.com/lemuriansounds/lemurian-sunrise-set-afrikaburn-2017

[avunjian]

https://soundcloud.com/lemuriansounds/lemurian-sunrise-set-afrikaburn-2017

[cyamakupula]

Decided to go to the buddy's. feed up with city life#bundus#rural#areas#roots#nature#meditation#chicken#ubuhlanti#free

[retinafunk]

My Retinafunk visuals at the Ubuhlanti stage ( I am the only one) at Afrikaburn 2018 #afrikaburn2018 #afrikaburn #vj #visuals #ubuhlanti #iamtheonlyone #art #retinafunk #videomapping #dj (at AfrikaBurn)