Shembe Pilgrimage – A Spiritual Experience amongst the Zulu
The diversity of South Africa knows no boundaries and the closer visitors look at the country and its people, the more they see and discover. South Africa is a treasure trove of fascinating experiences and unexplored beauty. When it comes to tribes and religion, there are certainly many diverse experiences to be had. The Shembe Pilgrimage welcomes visitors on their road of praise and worship, and members are happy to share their beliefs and traditions with tourists and inquisitive minds.
Most of the members of the Shembe Church are Zulu and their church is located on a sacred site called Ekuphakameni, which is translated to mean ‘Place of Spiritual Upliftment’. Named by the founder of the Shembe Church, Isaiah Shembe, he was also the first to complete the Shembe Pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain (Nhlangakazi), as he was summoned to the mountain by God in 1916. It is said that God spoke to Isaiah Shembe as he did with Moses at Mount Sinai. Ekuphakameni is also home to the most sacred shrines and is where holy water is kept for ceremonies.
The Shembe religion is a combination of Zulu culture and Christianity that has been based on the old testament of the Bible. Sticks that have always been seen as a weapon are now used for healing and the entire Shembe culture rests on teachings of peace and healing. They also practice fasting periods and sacred acts such as the washing of each others’ feet. Traditional Zulu dances have also been integrated in the religion and as a church they have many festivals and pilgrimages throughout the year. The most colorful Shembe Pilgrimage that is attended by tourists, takes place at the beginning of every year, and is known as the Shembe Pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain.
The pilgrimage takes three days to travel the eighty kilometers from Ebhohleni to Nhlangakazi. Wearing pure white robes, the members of the Shembe Church walk along the path to the Holy Mountain singing praises. Once at the mountain, the followers perform worshipping dances and reflect on their religion and beliefs. It is a rare opportunity to become a part of the culture in South Africa, and experience a pilgrimage of religious praise. The Shembe Pilgrimage is also one of the few chances visitors will get to be able to partake in and explore such a sacred ceremony.
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User Comments & Reviews
2010-11-07 13:28:40
Shembe is a creator of the world and heaven as well as all things existing in the world.We must bear in mind that even while Jesus was present most of people were insults and disobeyed him.The reality is that unguye unguye bonke bayozebambone bamlandele.Madhla
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2010-10-11 23:12:06
For I will Die into what I believe in, and What believes inme will also do the same. I stand tall and firm pependicular to the surfaceand parallel to all the living human beings, whatever your views are I will follow Shembe, because I have seen him, this is the continueation of UBUNAZARETHA, did you read the last message that the Lord Jesus passed before WE people Crucified him? It says "When I comeback the World wont see me but you will see mefor you know me and my deeds, some of you will deny me, I will never leave you alone I will leave a holly Spirit the worldwhom will deny. I advice people not to make comments they know what they mean and whether they are truthfull.UNkulunkulu anikhumbule nibone nani..Sanele Mngadi Umlazi
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2010-09-30 15:56:52
To those who are still dwelling on those lies about Shembe flying: Please people do not believe heresays, it has been said several times how He died ( his body died, because Spirit is forever). Don't you think you gonna stand before God at the judgement days answering the questions you don't know the answer? After all the miracles, powers, mercy He has shown, people still condemn Him. There is still a chance to review your heart!
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2010-09-29 22:30:59
Siyabonga Bhuti this thing of Shembe died when he was trying to fly is an insult from other church organisations that were present at his time, Shembe is not a man like me and you Shembe is a Spirite of God he lives in a flash of Shembe to guide people he loves, if you love God you Love Shembe, Like it happened Jesus CAME TO HIS NATION THEY KNEW WURSE PART THAT MESSAIRE WAS COMING BUT BEACAUSE HE CAME TO A POOR FAMILY THEY FIGHT HIM UNTILL THEY TOOK HIM TO CROSS, WHAT EVER GOOD HE DID THEY STAND THEIR WORDS THAT WHAT EVER HE CAN DO BUT HE CAN NEVER BE GOD. Nathi kusehlele sathandwa nguJehova wehla wazohlala nathi wasifundisa indlela eya kuye, wazenza izimangaliso phambi kwezwe kodwa nanamuhla siyamphika kunalokho siyamthuka ngazo zonke izinhlamba lezi. uShembe uNguNkulunkulu wazo zonke izizwe... uNgumthombo wabomileyo bayoPhuza kulo ichibi iSabatha Baphile athokoze uNguye onguye.
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2010-09-16 13:04:36
Hi, i just dont know what to say, well, the question is, What happened to Shembe? how did he pass on? If he knew God as much as he claimed he did, he culd have not Tested the Lords power by throwing himself right from the Top of the mountain, if you guys remember so well, same thing happened to Jesus, and guess wat? He did not fall for tht, lol, no argument guys, this is just a perception, well, mayb i shuld visit the church one day.
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2010-08-19 13:03:12
Shembe is the way not only for Africans,but for people who like to put in practice the gospel of God that says everything was made by him for him.People its either we follow socail convention or the truth of the nature,yes Shembe is the way the greatest teacher of gospel of God.May God bless UbuNAZARETHA
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2010-08-16 07:59:43
People Shembe's church is the way to life only if believe, everything is possible you ask now you receive now through your faith and belive, believe in Shembe and you have the world in your hands, I am Pedi but and I say Shembe is the way
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2010-08-07 18:31:15
People shembe church is not for Zulu culture only but is for all black nation.i agree that Shembe is the way of us African .
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2010-06-17 10:58:01
shembe church is not a combination of Zulu culture only but all African cultures as u can get amaXhosa, Ndebele's etc all the african. The thing that everyone must know is that SHEMBE IS FOR US AFRICANS.
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2010-04-23 21:37:22
well i totally agree that the church is not only made up of a zulu culture, i am a xhosa and i recently joined the church and its been good so far..
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