Umkhosi kaNomkhubulwane.

Umkhosi kaNomkhubulwane is a significant Zulu cultural ceremony that associated with the Zulu Goddess of rain, nature and fertility. In this blog I'll be sharing more about it.

There is a belief that a long time ago people were told not to do any work on a Monday to honor Nomkhubulwane. One woman decided to collect wood on this day, and they believed that she met Nomkhubulwane and she asked her what she was doing on that sacred day thereafter the woman's appearance hanged, since that day people observed that day. 

Nomkhubulwane is regarded as Mother Earth in Zulu mythology. Her name Nomkhubulwane translates to "she chooses the state of an animal". She is believed to transform into different types of animals. In ancient times, during the ploughing season, Zulus would collectively plough a special field dedicated to Nomkhubulwane. This field was never weeded or harvested until the next ploughing season. 

A group of selected women partake in ploughing of Nomkhubulwane's garden. Older women are preferred to be part of this group because they were no longer sexually active. These women were to prepare sorghum beer, mielie meal porridge and other meals that they would take with them on that day.