Amakrwala
Young Xhosa men are welcomed back by the community after spending a month undergoing initiation and circumcision in the open veld in Philippi. It was on a Friday and mostly older brothers and young children cheered on the three young men at New crossroads, Nyanga. The women waited patiently at the family home, preparing food and peeling vegetables, while the elders chatted and drank African beer waiting to share words of wisdom with the new men.
Young Xhosa men are welcomed back by the community. New Crossroads, Nyanga. Photo by Masixole Feni.
Young Xhosa men are welcomed back by the community. New Crossroads, Nyanga. Photo by Hugo Bobeheman.
Women wait patiently for the return of the young initiates. Photo by Masixole Feni.
Women brew traditional beer for the occasion. Photo by Masixole Feni.
Waiting for their brothers. Photo by Masixole Feni.
The young men arrive hidden in blankets. Photo by Masixole Feni.
A mother prepares food for the return of her son. Photo by Masixole Feni.
The elders chat and drink African beer. Photo by Masixole Feni.
Each young man has a sheep slaughtered for him. Photo by Masixole Feni.
The young men are home. Photo by Masixole Feni.
The initiates settle down and await the elders wisdom. Photo by Masixole Feni.
The initiates settle down and await the elders wisdom. Photo by Masixole Feni.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.