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IN PICTURES: Shembe Church annual pilgrimage

ekuPhakameni Shembe Nazareth Church Annual Pilgrimage Dance Festival

The devotees climb the mountain as part of their annual 10 day pilgrimage. The church was founded in 1913 and is one of the largest African traditionalist churches in Africa.

They walk up to 68kms barefoot praying, worshipping, singing, dancing and camping on their four weeks stay at the mountain.

The Shembe Church is the oldest independent indigenous Church in Southern Africa.

A follower of the Nazareth Baptist Church dressed in a traditional attire from the Ekuphakameni group, also known as the Shembe Church, climbs the Nhlangakazi Holy Mountain in Ndwedwe, 85 kilometres north of Durban, on January 7, 2024. *(Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)*

Devotees of the ekuPhakameni Shembe Nazareth Church in their colorful attire take part in a dance festival during their annual pilgrimage. *(Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)*

Women dressed in traditional attire of the Nazareth Baptist Church, from the Ekuphakameni take part in a cultural dance. *(Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)*

*(Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)*

Young maidens of the Nazareth Baptist Church. *(Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)*

Women devotees dressed in traditional attire. *(Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)*

Men dressed in traditional Zulu attire. *(Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)*

A devotee of the Nazareth Baptist Church dressed in a traditional attire prays at the Nhlangakazi Holy Mountain in Ndwedwe. *(Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)*

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Compiled by Michel Bega