umkhwetha.

https://babalorozani.blogspot.com/2019/08/umkhwetha.html

Umkhwetha.

This is a Umkhwetha an initiate in training. he has a shaved head and he is smeared with white clay from head to toe.(figure 1)

These are initiates (abakhwetha) sitting in front of their grass hut wearing blankets for warmth with their faces smeared with white clay.(figure 1)

Umkhwetha is a Male initiate. this is the stage ending adolescence it is a process in the form of circumcision. The abakhweta (initiates-in-training) live in special huts isolated from villages or towns for several weeks. Like soldiers inducted into the army, they have their heads shaved(see fig 1). They wear a loincloth and a blanket for warmth. White clay is smeared on their bodies from head to toe(see fig 2). They are expected to observe numerous taboos (prohibitions) and to act deferentially to their adult male leaders. Different stages in the initiation process are marked by the sacrifice of a goat.

https://babalorozani.blogspot.com/2019/08/umkhwetha.html