Being a proper Mopedi bride

In the last 16 years, Portia Mabala has learnt a great deal about being a proper Pedi makoti (bride).

She said this was a wonderful transition for her as a Ndebele native. Portia, 41, said like many African traditions, things are done in order in Sepedi, and protocol has to be followed at all times.

She added that respect is one of the most valued attributes that the Bapedi upholds. She intends to instil all the customs in her children so that they will know their roots.

First of all, when you meet people, you are supposed to greet properly. We call that Go lotsha (to greet),” Portia said.

She further explained that after a Pedi bride is taken, she has to go and live with her in-laws so that she can be shown the ropes and how a husband is treated and taken care of.

“It is usually the responsibility of the bride’s aunt to tell her what she must do to honour the marriage; then the bride will go and stay with her in-laws for two months, getting to know the family better and to impress them,” she said.

Portia said this is a very important process because it is during this time that a bride nurtures a relationship with her in-laws.

This is also the period during which she is taught all the praises of the clan, and how to cook the traditional food of the tribe.

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“We have what is commonly know as bogobe (pap); we eat that with a relish called morogo (vegetable) or mashotja (mopani worms).”

She added that Bapedi cuisine includes meat, and may have other dishes such as thophi (pap made from maize meal and a fruit called lerotse (a wild melon), morogo wa mokhusha (spinach cooked and left to dry in the sun) and dikgobe (coarsely ground mealies/ samp and beans cooked together). They brew a traditional beer called Tlhotlwa which can be served during rituals, ceremonies, funerals and even weddings.

This is actually my favourite part about the Pedi culture – they are very generous with food, and during ceremonies we always have food in abundance so that everyone can enjoy,” Portia said.

She added that the traditional dance called malopo is part of their ceremonies.

She went on to say that it is important to understand what being a bride means, especially if you come from a different culture, like in her case.

“I’ve been taught valuable lessons, such as that the sun should not rise while a bride is still in bed. I’ve been taught that before the sun rises, you must be up with chores like a proper Mopedi bride,” Portia said.