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EveryParampara

Imbeleko

The Xhosa and Zulu ceremony that introduces a child to the ancestors.

A pattern drawn for this page, not a picture of Imbeleko.

Also: mbeleko

Imbeleko is a ceremony in which a baby is introduced to the ancestors of the family, with the slaughter of a goat or sheep, whose skin is used to carry or cover the child. The family speaks to the ancestors, asking them to protect the child, and the meat is shared at a feast. The word also refers to the cloth used to carry a baby on the back. The ceremony is done after birth, or later in life if it was missed, and is considered important for a child's well-being and sense of belonging. Many urban families still perform it, often with a modern celebration.

Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

See also

LobolaLibationUbuntu

Find traditions that mention Imbeleko

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