By Zipho Xego
In the rural South African village of Cwebe, where I’ve been collecting data for over a year, the cycle of life is deeply intertwined with a philosophical respect for the dead. The Amabomvane community, a part of the broader Xhosa ethnic group, holds grand funeral ceremonies while births are quietly acknowledged, often without any public celebration. This reflects the broader cultural and economic practices of the Xhosa people and many black South African communities. In this blog, I explore the cultural significance of death rites and the role of Stokvels in funding these elaborate ceremonies.
Figure 1: Community meeting of women from Cwebe to discuss stokvels, funerals and burials (Taken: August 2024, Zipho Xego)
The Amabomvane are often grouped under the larger umbrella of Amaxhosa, one of South Africa’s major ethnic groups. The Xhosa people place profound importance on the cycle of life and death, viewing life as continuous, extending beyond the physical realm. After death, the ancestors, or amathongo, play a central role in Xhosa spiritual and social life. It is believed that the ancestors influence the lives of the living, and strong connections with them are essential for individual and communal well-being.
In Cwebe, the birth of a child brings joy and happiness to the family, yet, as I have observed, there are no elaborate ceremonies to mark the occasion. To outsiders, this may seem strange, as birth is often regarded as one of life’s most significant events. However, in Xhosa culture, a newborn is seen as an ancestor in the making, just beginning their journey. While birth ceremonies do exist, they are typically private and family-centered rather than communal events. For instance, families may gather a few days after a child is born for a ritual known as ukuyalwa, where the baby is introduced to the ancestors for the first time. These rituals are often informal, private and not bound by strict timing.
In stark contrast, funerals in Cwebe, and in many black communities, are elaborate and significant communal events. Death is celebrated as the transition from the physical world to the spiritual realm, where the deceased joins their ancestors. This transition is observed not just by the family but by the wider community. Funerals are major events, requiring extensive preparation, feasting, and community participation, reflecting the belief that the dead continue to play a role in the lives of the living.
Burial practices in Cwebe are traditional, with variations depending on the age and status of the deceased. One common ceremony of burial is Umngcwabo—an all-night vigil held on the evening before the funeral. Family and community members gather to honour the deceased with stories, hymns, and prayers. The body is usually on display, except in cases where the person died in an accident, as there is a belief that the accident could be brought into the room with the body. This custom predates COVID-19, but during the pandemic, night vigils were banned and bodies were not displayed. Now, nearly five years later, these practices have resumed.
As part of the funeral rites, cattle or goats are slaughtered to pay respect to the dead and provide food for mourners. The meat is shared among the community, symbolizing unity in times of mourning. At the gravesite, further rituals ensure the safe passage of the deceased’s spirit to the next world. Following the burial, there is a gathering known as Ukuhlanjwa at the home of the deceased. This is a get-together that takes place in the home of the deceased following the burial. Friends and relatives arrive for food usually prepared by women of the community as well as with help from the grieving family. As the point of departure, this is critical because it binds communities and offers a space for healing and rebuilding.
Stokvels, informal savings clubs that are common in South Africa are especially prevalent in black communities and provide an essential economic lifeline. The villagers in Cwebe rely on Stokvels to finance their elaborate funerals. The Stokvels vary but the most common form of them is the ‘savings’ one where members contribute specific amounts of money to one central pool on an agreed basis. Together members pull their resources and help one another financially in times of need like when they have a funeral, wedding or some life changing event. Stokvel members are often friends, relatives, or neighbours, and they provide a financial safety net, ensuring that families can host proper ceremonies without bearing the full financial burden themselves.
The difference between how quietly a birth is received in Cwebe and the noise made for death showcases the deep-seated cultural values and social dynamics of Xhosa culture. The Xhosa belief in maintaining strong relationships with ancestors explains why funerals hold such significance. Historically, many communities believed that serving the dead would ensure protection and favour for the living. This continuity between generations strengthens communal bonds and creates a shared identity. Funerals, supported by Stokvels, serve as rallying points for the community, creating spaces where unity and mutual support thrive. In this way, Stokvels not only provide financial assistance but also reinforce social bonds, ensuring that the cycle of life and death continues to be celebrated within the community.
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