June and December are known to be ‘umgidi’ season in the Xhosa nation and other nations. The mentioned tribe is known to take over the internet during the season leaving others wishing to attend ‘umgidi’ one day.
Before we go far, let us unpack ‘umgidi’, this is a celebration that comes after a successful initiation of a boy transitioning to manhood. An initiation ceremony is a rite of passage that marks the transition into adulthood.
During this celebration ceremony, there are songs that are sung to make the experience enjoyable and wholesome for the family, loved ones and friends of the family.
Here is a snippet of umgidi ceremony shared on TikTok by user @sibango. Just to give you a clue.
@akho_s Umgidi kaSoso??@sibangoo #CapCut#mgidiseason#xhosanation #easterncape ♬ original sound – Lesedi’s_Music_World
Now that we have passed the clarifying stage, let’s take a look at the four songs that were sung the most in umgidi ceremonies.
- Zakariya/ Makariya or Uzokwaliwa
One thing you should know about traditional songs is that one does not have to stick to the lyrics of the song, as long as you have the melody, and the rhythm of the song correct. In the instance of Zakariya, many people sing the song differently, but they all hold the same melody.
@luthobooi1Guys help me , is it “Zakariya umetsha nama somalia” or “Makaliya umetsha nama somalia” ??????♬ original sound – Booi Lutho
- Ringo
Another song that wormed into mzansi’s heart is Ringo. This song was also sung the most this year in the mgidi ceremonies, mostly by young men in indlu yesibane or the ‘light house’ as millennials call it, this is where the initiate is kept until he is dressed and taken out to be seen by other people.
@_lustaec #gwijo #mgidi #tiktok #fyp #trending #fyp #foryourpage #fypviraltiktok?シ゚☆♡ #foryou ♬ original sound – Liyema❤️??
- Pikoko
I Pikoko also garnered fame in the mgidi ceremonies, sung both by young men and women.
@st.ee.zy – Iyakhala Ipikoko ? , Itsho Kamandi ? iKhalela Ezantso ? . #SAMA28 #umgidi #gwijo #fypシ゚viral #fypシ ♬ original sound – S T EE Z Y ? .
- Abazalana Nam
This is one song you can refer to as a Song of the Year in the mgidi ceremonies. It was sung in almost every mgidi that was held in 2024.
@bsiwaphiwe_ Bendinixelele ndathi ndinabo, abantu bam- abazala nam – naba ♥️ my friends said – we will show up ♥️? #fypシ゚viral #bsiwaphiwe_ #viraltiktok #ekhaya #umbulelo #thanksgiving #home #xhosa #xhosatiktok ♬ original sound – ???????? ??????
Recording artist who preserves traditional songs by recording them Mr Vee Sholo, also took the initiative of recording this hit, and his version was Top 2 on the Ingoma Yonyaka Campaign (Song of the Year) on Umhlobo Wenene radio station in 2024.
@mrvee_sholo Replying to @Kefu ♬ original sound – MR-Vee Sholo
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