uMemulo ka Nikiwe: The Coming of Age

It’s time, for Nikiwe to become a woman, she’s about to turn 21 and she’s due for her Memulo celebration.

What is uMemulo?

Umemulo is a traditional Zulu coming-of-age ceremony for women. This ritual is usually done for females at the age of 21, but it can be done at any stage of a woman’s life, depending on circumstances. The rituals include slaughtering a cow and the traditional Zulu dance Ukusina, which involves a spear, and guests gifting the young female with money and other blessings. 

A woman's Umemulo ceremony signifies that she is ready for marriage. The girl is supposed to stay in the rondavel for 7 days with her friends, practicing songs for the ceremony. On the 7th day, the girls wake up early in the morning and go to the nearest river to bathe. When they come back, the girl is presented with a spear, and she wears the fat from a cow’s stomach (Umhlwehlwe). As they sing traditional songs and dance, people bring presents and pin money on the girl as a gift.

As Nikiwe enters her journey to womanhood, it strikes her that her uncle Bheki reminds her so much of her father. And because he played such a meaningful role in her life, it was he who encouraged her to plan her own uMemulo ceremony to be held in KZN – a true moment for celebration.

Join in the festivities on the 31st of August and 1st September with Nikiwe at 6.30PM on e.tv