JOYS OF LIFE -2 [NOT EDITED]

37

XOLISA MAJOLA

My welcoming ceremony was a success, dad had to give me a new name. He named me Nosihle and I love it. My grandma did express how she didn't like my name, Xolisa because to her it just sounded like my mom named me Xolisa as a way to actually apologise for her doings. It made me laugh at first but now I understand what she meant and I can't help but wonder if she really named me that to apologise for her past. Would she do that?!

Anyways, my coming of age ceremony is tomorrow and I'm so excited. My team and I have been practicing our dance and the songs we will be performing tomorrow. During our whole stay here, we had to be covered in red soil, from face down to our feet. This was really a new experience for me and I was enjoying every minute. I'm so happy to say I have also finally gotten the hang of everything.

Swe: "I feel like mom is avoiding me." she says sulking. I just chuckle because she is being dramatic.

Me: "You're being dramatic dude!"

Swe: "I'm not."

Mahle: "Mama did come in here a couple of times and you were asleep."

Junior: "And she did say she's avoiding you because she doesn't want to find herself hitting you."

Mahle: "Stop lying LJ." We laugh.

We are disturbed by a knock on the door, aunt Lindelihle walks in carrying a tray. She gives us all our plates of food.

Mahle: "Thank you girl."

Junior: "Who cooked ntombazane?"

Aunt Lihle: "Yey nina! Ningang'jwayeli kabi habe!" she says making us laugh.

Junior: "We are joking magcina kaGogoh."

Aunt Lihle: "What flavour drink do you guys want?"

Swe: "Coke!"

Mahle: "Can I have juice mina, mommy?"

Aunt Lihle: "Okay I will be back."

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Later on, around dawn dad comes to fetch me. He takes me to the rondavel where there are other men including my brothers. He tells me to kneel beside him, he burns the traditional incense and starts speaking while making me inhale the smoke. Mah comes with a bowl of white clay and starts smearing it on my body. After that small ritual, I'm led back to the rondavel we were in the whole week.

Fana: "I will be back to fetch you guys in 15 minutes, okay?"

Me: "Yes bhuti." I enter the rondavel and the girls have all applied the white clay on their bodies. There was another old woman who was doing the virginity testing. She'd put a white dot on the forehead if you were still a virgin. Gogoh was also here.

Gogoh: "Woza singaye, we need to be fast. Y'all should be on your way to the river already." After a while we were done and ready for the long walk to the river. Bhuti was walking behind us, guarding us. As we reached the river, he stood a distance away from us to give us privacy. We got in the cold water and washed off the clay on our bodies and face while singing traditional songs.

On our way back, we were singing and dancing. We walked to a nearby field closer to home so we could wait for dad to come and fetch us. After a few minutes he came and wrapped a blanket around my shoulders then led me home with my girls following behind. When we reached home, the girls were escorted to the rondavel since that's where they will be getting ready.

Mah: "Here, wear this." she says handing me a traditional skirt and beads. I look at her.

Me: "Should I change now?"

Mah: "Yes babygirl."

Dad: "Why are you so shy?! It's just the three of us in here." I looked down.

Mah: "Lizwi, just excuse us." he sighs standing up.

Dad: "You should always refuse to undress infront of boys, okay?!" I nod chuckling. As soon as he is out, I change into the skirt and beads.

Me: "What top should I wear mah?"

Mah: "Oh babe, you don't wear a shirt. Your dad will cover you with the goats fat." dad walks in right that moment.

Dad: "Come, kneel." I kneel next to him as he takes two pieces of the goat skin and opens a huge hole in the middle. He then makes me put my hand inside the goat skin, to make isiphandla

Dad: "You are not to take these out unless they come out themselves or break, siyezwana?" he asks while putting the other sphandla around my wrist.

Me: "Yebo baba."

Mah: "Let me help you." she says coming closer and helps dad put the goat's fat ( umhlwehlwe ) around my shoulder, covering my shoulders and chest. I was told that if umhlwehlwe falls that means I am not a virgin anymore. I was so scared because what if it happens that this thing falls off my shoulders by accident and people get the wrong idea.

Dad: "Say a few words ke."

Me: "What must I say baba?" he chuckles.

Dad: "Give thanks and also ask for this day to be a success." I nod and start speaking kumsamo. The 'rents both led me outside after I was finished and i met my girls right outside. Mah then handed me an umbrella with a few R100 notes. We danced our way to the middle of the yard ( esiqikini ).

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I was now so tired and exhausted from all the dancing and singing. It was now midday and we were told we can go inside the tent so we can eat and take a breather. Gogoh laid a straw mat on the floor, infront of everyone and instructed me to sit there. Aunt Lihle walked in with a wrapped box and placed it in next to me. Swe and Junior walked in carrying a big gift bag and also placed it next to me Everyone kept coming and placing gifts around me, confusing me even more. Dad and Mah walked in carrying a big cake and flowers, everyone then started singing happy birthday. I was more shocked at the fact that they remembered my birthday with everything that has been happening.

Dad: "Happy Birthday Last born ka Baba." he said placing the cake in front of me and kissed my head.

Mah: "We are so happy to have met you babe and have you join our family. This is to many more wonderful years together as one." she kissed my cheek and hugged me.

Me: "Thank you." I said holding on to her as I cried softly. She brushed my back until I calmed down.

Mom: "Sanibonani." I quickly pull out of Mah's hug and look behind her. It's my mom, I throw my arms around her.

Me: "I thought you were not coming." I cried.

Mom: "I would never make that mistake again mntanam."

Me: "Thank you." I may have been mad at my mom but the fact remained, she is my mom and I could never hate her.

Mom: "Happy Birthday ke sthandwa sami." she said handing me a smaller giftbag.

Me: "Thank you." She smiled and went to sit on one of the unoccupied tables. My siblings came to join me on my mat, including Mahle. I was grateful for that because I know they did it to ease my anxiety, phela I was in front of everyone's eyes.

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Hey y'all. This is a snippet of the Umhlonyane ceremony and I hope you enjoyed this insert. Do comment your thoughts and please vote.

We are about to get into the real drama ke babies!!!