Gezani community turns to traditional initiations to preserve Tsonga culture

The Gezani community in Chiredzi South, Masvingo province, is using traditional initiation practices and annual cultural celebrations to preserve Tsonga traditions and keep younger generations connected to their heritage.

The practices prepare boys and girls for adulthood through traditional teachings and skills that the community considers important for family and community life.

Speaking to CITE, Chief Gezani said initiation practices had been passed down through generations and remained an important part of preserving Tsonga identity.

He said the practices included circumcision for boys and initiation ceremonies for girls.

“The Gezani community, as Tsonga, we do have some initiations that we do as a people that some cultures do not do. I know that my great-grandfather went for circumcision, which is a tradition that everyone has to go through and has been practised for so long in our culture. There will be circumcision for the male people and initiations for the ladies,” Gezani said.

Chief Gezani said girls approaching motherhood were taught practical skills, including childcare, harvesting, fetching water and gathering firewood, as well as values such as respect, responsibility and hospitality.

“In our culture, we groom teenagers who are getting into motherhood. We teach them how to look after children, we teach them how to harvest and how to even fetch water. They should also know how to do firewood harvesting, and they are also taught how to be hospitable to a visitor because one day they are going to be married. These teachings are also intended to instill values of respect, responsibility and hospitality, which are regarded as important qualities for young women as they prepare for family life,” he said.

Boys are taught skills including livestock management, farming and protecting their families, he said.

“Men are being taught how to look after the families as well. They should know how to look after the cattle, how to plough and even safeguard their families because men are considered as the soldiers of the families, so they should know all these things. The teachings also emphasise discipline, and the importance of maintaining proper routines, as young men are expected to understand their responsibilities and remain mindful of the safety of their families. As we know that there are thieves in the world, so men should look after their families and should know the right time to wake up and the right time to sleep. The teachings also emphasise discipline and the importance of maintaining proper routines. As young men they are expected to understand their responsibilities and remain mindful of the safety of their families,” Gezani said.

The community also holds an annual cultural celebration on 25 June, bringing generations together to showcase and share their traditions.

“Every 25 June of every year we have a celebration of culture where we make sure that every generation should not forget who we are. We are very much interested in showcasing our talent as the Gezani community so that we can learn from one another,” he said.