Exploring the ceremonies, cuisine at the heart of Venda culture this Heritage Month
The Venda people are among some of South Africa's most diverse and culturally rich ethnic groups, hailing from Limpopo Province's northern region.
In September, South Africa celebrates the nation's diverse culture and rich heritage during Heritage Month. Earlier this week, on Heritage Day, millions day celebrated their cultures, promoting national unity, while encouraging South Africans to embrace it’s multicultural society.
IOL looks into the traditions and customs of various cultural groups to gain a deeper understanding of their way of life.
The Venda are well-known for their respect, hard work, and commitment to independence, and they have proudly passed down their legacy through generations.
Venda culture celebrates order, cleanliness, and peace, as represented in their way of life, from lively weddings to traditional dishes and music.
The wedding ceremony is one of Venda society's most important cultural occasions. The traditional attire worn during these events is both visually gorgeous and symbolic.
Venda brides and grooms dress in colourful, intricately patterned garments made from the ‘minwenda’ cloth.
The bride's wedding attire consists of a skirt or shawl in brilliant colours like as red, yellow, blue, and black, with each colour having symbolic value.
The Venda bride also wears a headpiece, which is usually made of beaded material or decorated with cloth that matches her outfit.
The headpiece symbolises her transition from maidenhood to marriage, representing wisdom and maturity. Over her shoulders, she may wear a shawl or ‘Tshifasi,’ another piece of ‘Minwenda’ that adds to the overall beauty and modesty of her outfit.
Some notable garments includes Tshideka, Shedo, Tsindi, Mukhasi, Musisi, Tshirivha, Tshiluvhelo, Gwana, Phale, Nwenda, Phale, Thaula, Palu and Matongo.
The groom usually wears a shirts of different colours made of ‘munwenda’, a cloth worn across the shoulder and arms, it differ with the design the want. His traditional walking stick, the ‘nduku’, represents leadership and wisdom.
One of the most beloved dishes served by Vendas is delele or ‘slipper muroho’, a leafy green vegetable similar to spinach.
‘Muroho’ is harvested from wild plants and cooked with onions, tomatoes, and sometimes ground peanuts.
No Venda meal is complete without ‘vhuswa’, a traditional maize meal porridge similar to pap.
‘Vhuswa’ is prepared as either a soft or stiff porridge, depending on the occasion, and is often eaten with stews ‘Tshisevho’ or vegetables.
‘Tshidzimba’, also known as samp, is made from maize samp, milled peanuts, and salt, and is often served with vegetables or meat.
Another special treat is mashonzha ‘mopane worms’, a delicacy that honours tradition and respect for the natural world.
They can be eaten dried or cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices.
To toast the newly weds, ‘marula beer’ and juice are often served, symbolising prosperity and blessings.
Marula fruit is also believed to influence the gender of unborn babies when consumed by pregnant women.
Venda people are renowned for their respect, hard work, and self-sufficiency. One community member proudly stated, “Vendas have always been known to be a respectable and hard working ethnic group that prides itself on order, cleanliness, peaceful and self-sufficiency in their own communities.
“The Venda language is more than a language...it is a carrier of their culture and tradition that is passed from generation to generation....so does their traditional music and dance that is done by both males and females.
“Venda culture is clearly reflected by its results of Venda men and women whose excellence in academic, business and other social standing is second to none..though they are regarded as one of the smallest societies in South Africa".
IOL