Izithakazelo zakwa Shembe Clan Names History and Origin
Isaiah Shembe was born in the Free State c. 1867 and probably became a land tenant near Harrismith. At first a Wesleyan, later joining African Baptist Church he was later ordained a pastor of this body in 1906.
Shembe claimed he heard from God to leave his home and travel to Natal. At first he refused, but eventually gave in and arrived in Natal in 1910.
Shembe Clan Names
The Shembe clan, also known as the Nazareth Baptist Church or amaNazaretha, is a religious group within the Zulu community in South Africa. While not strictly a traditional clan in the same sense as others, they have adopted praise names and have a strong cultural identity.
Here are some common Shembe clan names (izithakazelo or praise names):
- Shembe
- Nhliziyo kaZulu
- Nhliziyo kaDavid
- Nyazi
- Nyazi LikaJehova
- Mnguni
- Shaka
- Mthakathi
- Mthimkhulu
Isaiah Shembe
Shembe was born near Harrismith in South Africa’s Free State to a Zulu family who were labour tenants on Ntabamhlophe Farm. From an early age he developed a strong sense of justice and fair play thanks to his father instilling these principles into him.
Shembe was an outstanding leader and healer who could read people’s minds, creating the iBandla lamaNazaretha (Nazareth Baptist Church).
This church adopted an amalgam of Christian doctrine and Zulu traditions while practicing healing techniques alongside developing its own liturgy based on modified forms of traditional Zulu dance forms. Additionally, Shembe established Ekuphakameni as well as an annual pilgrimage to Nhlangakazi mountain for religious rituals.
After Shembe’s death, his movement dissipated into two distinct dynasties. Johannes Galilee Shembe was seen as Shembe’s rightful successor; however, Amos Shembe was not willing to follow suit and bitter disagreement ensued between brothers Amos and Johannes Galilee Shembe.
This conflict eventually resulted in the formation of Ebuhleni faction and today there are over one million Shembe followers throughout Southern Africa.
Shembe’s followers revere him as an African messiah and see him as embodying both Jesus Christ and the spirit of God. They also adhere to the Ten Commandments and view his healing powers as divine. The Shembe movement combines traditional Zulu religion with Christianity while emphasizing lawkeeping practices.
Ekuphakameni
On January 2, each year at sunrise, Shembe followers gather outside the mausoleums in Ekuphakameni and await word from their leader to begin their 50km barefoot trek towards Nhlangakazi mountain in order to fulfill a vow made more than 100 years ago.
At this time of year, these Shembe devotees brave scorching heat and heavy summer rainfall as they spend several weeks praying and dancing atop Nhlangakazi Mountain.
Isaiah Shembe, founder of the Shembe Church in South Africa, was an unconventional individual with wide-ranging interests and activities.
Though a trained lawyer, his passion lay with religion. With an immense following and profound impact on religious life among black South Africans, Shembe was at the forefront of an emerging movement combining traditional Zulu religion with Christianity.
He was an engaging personality known for his captivating parables and dramatic healing tricks, along with his uncanny ability to read people’s minds and provide uncanny insights into their problems.
Legend holds that during a ceremony on Nhlangakazi mountain he named his two sons as successors as successors.
After the death of Isaiah Shembe, his followers broke apart into two factions – Ekuphakameni and Ginyezinye. Their arguments pitted uncle against nephew and divided families; those supporting Ekuphakameni now say it is time to put this matter behind them and focus on worshipping instead.
Ebuhleni
Shembe Church members share many similarities with other Christian groups despite religious and cultural distinctions, particularly when it comes to their sense of racial identity and belief in supernatural powers.
Furthermore, Shembe also adheres to strict work ethics as well as codes of ethics that promote healthy diets and lifestyles; its congregation includes over one million members across South Africa.
As the death of Vimbeni Shembe, founder of Shembe, unfolds, an internal succession dispute has ensued between its respective branches of Shembe. A mass crowd marched in support of Mduduzi Shembe from Ebuhleni branch while movement’s lawyer Zwelabantu Buthelezi insists it will be settled in court due to unclear who are Shembe’s sons are entitled as successors.
Shembe’s church employs an innovative chanting style, drawing upon modified versions of traditional Zulu dancing. Shembe himself was highly auditorive; new hymns often came to him while sleeping. Able to write, Shembe created hymns which captured the essence of Zulu religious experience in their hymns.
Shembe’s movement is founded on the belief that God has given them an important mission: healing the world. They began this mission by visiting Nhlangakazi Mountain.
Later, thousands of Shembe followers visit it every year for one of their biggest celebrations, while Onanda Heritage Route tours make stops here so visitors can learn more about Shembe’s community and traditions.
Ginyezinye
Mayekisa heard a voice tell her during pregnancy that Shembe would become a special inheritor, which Shembe interpreted to mean that he would become a religious leader who wielded supernatural powers.
Baptized in 1906 under his Christian name Mudliwamafa and taking an oath of obedience he began communal farms across Natal while pioneering rational livestock treatments; encouraging his followers to keep only good-bred cattle as opposed to engaging in what became known as Zulu cattle cult’.
He incorporated traditional Zulu cultural practices into his church life, such as an annual pilgrimage to Mount Nhlangakazi for intense communal experience among members of Shembe community. Additionally, he introduced a strict Protestant work ethic among his followers.
Shembe initially belonged to the African Baptist Church before departing in 1911 to form his own organization, known as iBandla lamaNazaretha (‘the Church of Nazareth Baptists’). This new organization combined Christian beliefs with traditional Zulu cultural practices and organizational processes.
Shembe’s death in 1935 led to succession disputes that resulted in five splinter groups: Ekuphakameni, eBuhleni, Ginyezinye, Mini and another in Gauteng. Church leadership disputes have degenerated into farce.
Vukile Shembe of Ekuphakameni faction and Sizwe Shembe of eBuhleni have threatened excommunicate each other as the drama plays out between them.
