Siyalala: The preserving of Venda heritage
The Venda ethnic group possesses a rich assortment of customs and artefacts that breathe life into their treasured cultural heritage. You might be acquainted with Venda culture through the long-running television series "Muvhango," which has graced our screens on SABC 2 for decades. The Venda community is associated with several prominent figures, including the current South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as actor Gabriel Temudzani and Colbert Mukwevho, the celebrated reggae artist and father of another well-known hip-hop star, Percy Mukwevho.
As we approach Heritage Day, we continue our journey of connecting with different ethnic communities to celebrate cultural diversity by delving into their distinctive cultural legacies. In our recent publication, we highlighted the significance of Xibelani, and in today's article, we delve into the cultural heritage of the Venda ethnic group.
LANGUAGE
Are you aware that in Venda, greetings are gender-specific, unlike many other languages where a simple "hello" is universal? In Venda culture, if you're a man, you use "Ndaa" as a greeting, while if you're a woman, you use "Aah."
Using the appropriate greeting based on your gender is a way of showing respect and participating in the cultural traditions of the Venda people. It's important to be aware of and respect these cultural norms when interacting with people from different backgrounds.
CUISINE
In an article penned by Patrick Maundu for the Daily Maverick, cuisines are described as an integral component of a people's cultural heritage. Much like other indigenous communities who have their staple dishes, VhaVenda, for instance, take pride in vhuswa, a thick maize meal porridge commonly referred to as “pap” throughout South Africa.
Vhuswa is never enjoyed on its own; it is accompanied by a diverse selection of accompaniments, including muroho (spinach), which can be prepared and sun-dried for future consumption. These dried vegetables are known as mukusule and can also be combined with peanut butter, creating a relish known as dovhi. This relish recipe is not limited to vegetables; it extends to meat as well, resulting in dried meat referred to as mukokole. When mixed with peanut butter, mukokole also yields a relish called dovhi.
VhaVenda are renowned for their appreciation of the wholesome mashonzha delicacy, which consists of dried mopane worms. These dried worms can be stored in large sacks, either for sale or for consumption in the future. The Venda people are known for their generosity, as they willingly distribute edible insects they have collected to anyone who expresses an interest in eating them, whether they are visitors or passersby.
DANCES
Tshikona, a dance deeply rooted in tradition, is typically performed by men and comprises a combination of elements including the nanga, a pipe-like instrument, rhythmic drumming, and intricate dance movements. This distinctive ceremonial dance commonly occurs under the guidance of traditional leaders and is closely related to significant social rituals.
The Domba dance, also referred to as the python dance, holds a prominent role in the cultural heritage of the Venda people. This dance is traditionally performed by adolescent girls who are in the process of transitioning into adulthood, symbolizing their readiness for marriage.
Within the context of the Domba dance, elder women of the community play a vital role in imparting essential knowledge to these young women. They educate them on home management skills and guide them on how to interact harmoniously with their future in-laws once they enter into marriage. This dance serves as a crucial rite of passage, as it transmits the societal codes and norms of marital conduct to the next generation of women.
In summary, these cultural facets of the Venda heritage are not all-encompassing. The Venda community boasts a vibrant and captivating cultural legacy waiting to be discovered and appreciated. In this article, we provided a brief glimpse into some of the Venda cultural elements, including their language, cuisine, and traditional dances. For those with a passion for cultural heritage, it's worth considering a quest to uncover the sacred Lake Fundudzi and explore the renowned Mapungubwe ruins, which continue to hold a special place in Venda's monumental heritage. Additionally, Venda communities offer a diverse array of dances and cherished ceremonies, each serving distinct purposes within their cultural traditions.