While some people celebrated having snow during the snowstorm, initiates in the Eastern Cape took it as an opportunity to celebrate their homecoming ceremony.
This is a traditional ceremony set to celebrate a young boy’s life as he transitions into manhood and becomes a man, where males go to the bush and practice all things about being a man in a household.
According to African Geographic, when these men go to the bush/mountain, this is done in secret without the knowledge of the public till they come back. Upon the arrival of these men, the family celebrates by having ‘umgidi’ where goats and sheep are slaughtered.
In a viral video, TikTok creator @nontyatyamboentle posted a video of a family celebrating a homecoming in the snow. In the video, a group of men and women are seen singing Xhosa war cries as they celebrate a very important ceremony known to mankind.
The creator posted with the caption, “Tradition is not going to change because of snow.”
@nontyatyamboentle Tradition is not going to change because of snow..umsebenzi continues #emgidi #snowfall ♬ Lidal’ Ithongo – Camagwini
Taking to TikTok comments, users asked the creator how the men felt to be dancing without tops in the snow.
One user commented, “Is it not cold in the snow?”
Another user said: “Umgidi Switzerland neh.”
Another TikTok user commented: “These men are having so much fun that time the weather is very cold, being South African is something to be proud of.”
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