SOUTH AFRICA: NONGOMA: ZULU HARVEST FESTIVAL REVIVED

(12 Dec 1995) English/Zulu/Natsound A century-old Zulu harvest festival has been opened up to outside eyes for the first time in South Africa. In order to ensure a good harvest for the following year "young bloods" kill a bull with their bare hands, a ceremony certain to anger animal rights activists. "Ukweshwama" or the "First Fruit" ceremony had never performed this century until Zulu King Goodwill Zwelethini revived it in 1992 - and even then, it was off-limits to prying eyes - until now. Behind the fences of the Zulu palace preparations are underway for the "Ukweshwama" (ook-wesh-wama) ceremony. First come the dancing women - and then the singing and dancing 'young blood' the men who will kill a bull with their bare hands. It was a common scene in the hills of Zululand a century ago but wasn't performed in the 20th century until King Goodwill Zwelethini revived it three years ago. The harvest celebration began during the days of the warrior-king Shaka in the 19th century. But for these Zulus, the celebration is more than just the revival of an old ceremony. The First Fruits ceremony is part of the King's plan to reunite Zulus by depoliticizing their identity. In recent years, the KwaZulu-Natal province has seen blood-letting with thousands of victims. Many Zulus are part of an ongoing political battle between the Inkatha Freedom Party run by Zwelethini's uncle Mangosuthu Buthelezi and supporters of the African National Congress. But the ceremony is a return to their tribal roots - and the ritual is carried out to a 'T'. A herbal healer or "inyanga" (in-yang-ga) then sprays the young men with medicine or muti (moo-tee) designed to make them aggressive and strong. The bull is sprayed with the same concoction to make him as strong and as aggressive. The elders wait with the watching King while the young bloods race into the kraal. If they kill the bull, it is believed that the Zulu's ancestors will bless the food and bring rain for another good harvest. The ceremony also provides the chance for young men to show off to the King and the community their prowess. They hope the King will particularly notice their individual heroism and bravery. Young men from all over the province are invited to the ceremony but there is one proviso, no weapons must be used in the killing. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The culture itself cannot allow us to inject, put injection into the animal but all you need to do is to kill it by bare hands, so it's cruelty, I agree, we are forced to do it because it's our culture, we cannot change our culture." SUPERCAPTION: Chief Zibuse Mlaba After the killing the boys listen attentively to the King. At 47 he has ruled for 25 years, and recently, has increasingly tried to position himself above political divisions as the sole traditional leader and focus of tribal loyalty. SOUNDBITE: (Zulu) "This ceremony is about the nation coming together, praising God and our ancestors for giving us power and blessings. For me as your King, I want God to bless me and you." SUPERCAPTION: King Goodwill Zwelethini Now - with the ceremony complete - the season is declared open. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...