AFTER the passing of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu of the Zulu nation in March 2021, there has been a growing interest in Zulu Royal Family rituals which are usually kept private.
This became evident last weekend when a ritual called Ukungena Esibayeni (Entering the Kraal) was performed at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace in Nongoma.
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However, there has been confusion around this ceremony, with some questioning whether King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the son of the late King Zwelithini, after performing this ritual, was crowned the Zulu king.
Since the passing of King Zwelithini, two significant rituals in the Royal Family have been performed: ihlambo (cleansing ceremony) and Ukungena Esibayeni.
Explaining the importance of the Entering the Kraal ritual, the Zulu nation prime minister, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, said: “It has been presumed that this ceremony of Ukungena Esibayeni amounts to the anointing of the King of the Zulu nation. However, this is not the case. It is, instead, closer in nature to a traditional prayer and ritual wishing the King well and declaring the people’s loyalty to His Majesty the King.”
He said this ceremony is performed in line with Zulu custom so the king can fulfil the necessary rituals to celebrate his installation as the king of the Zulu Nation.
Buthelezi said that once someone who is presumed to take the throne has reached the kraal and enters it, a senior member of the Royal Family states the passing away of the previous king and announces, before both the living and the dead, that his son has taken over as the king.
Ahead of the Entering the Kraal ceremony, the soon-to-be king has to hunt and kill a lion himself. This is important to do before his coronation because the king is always referred to as Ingonyama or Isilo which means ‘lion’ and which symbolises his power.
The person to ascend to the throne has to wear the skin of the lion when he enters the sacred kraal.
After entering the royal kraal and performing the necessary rituals, the future king comes out fully dressed as king.
Before the Ukungena Esibayeni ritual, the ihlambo cleansing ceremony is conducted after the passing of the previous king.
In Zulu culture, the cleansing ceremony is necessary for family members to end the mourning period for the deceased and spiritually assist the family to move forward.
After all this is done, the president of the country presides over the coronation of a new king where he officially presents him with the certificate in accordance with legislation.
The interim date for the coronation of the new Zulu king has been set for September 24, but it is still to be confirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
