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1. THE MYSTERY OF UTHEKWANE
Uthekwane /hammer-headed stork is a mysterious bird in Ndebele folklore & spiritual philosophy. Most African tribes also associate the bird with rain & lightning - hence the name inyoni yezulu.
Uthekwane /hammer-headed stork is a mysterious bird in Ndebele folklore & spiritual philosophy. Most African tribes also associate the bird with rain & lightning - hence the name inyoni yezulu.
2. In folklore it is believed to manifest itself only through lightning, except to women, to whom it reveals itself as a bird. The bird figure is of imaginary nature and may take several forms.
3. It is also believed that witches use it to attack their enemies & other evil. It is believed that its real form is a winged creature, the size of a man, black & white in colour. It can also take any human form. The call of uthekwane overhead foretells a death in the village.
4. It is said that it lays a large egg underground at the location of the lightning strike. The most remarkable thing about this bird, however, is its nest made of grass, clothes, tyres and all manner of items. The nest is massive & out of proportion with the bird or its needs.
5. It is believed to be immortal & can only be killed by fire rituals . To the San, trying to rob the bird’s nest will see you struck by lightning or going mad. In Madagascar you may earn you a dose of leprosy if you temper with its nest.
6. On a lighter note there is a beautiful school called Thekwane High School in Plumtree named after the river where the birds are predominantly found.
7. There is an isiNdebele thekwane themed children's game song which goes :
Thekwane ngu thekwane
Ayeeee thekwane
Thoko nguthekwane
Ayeeee thekwane
Sonke singothekwane!!!
Is the song a revelation that thekwane can take the form of any human?
THE END
Thekwane ngu thekwane
Ayeeee thekwane
Thoko nguthekwane
Ayeeee thekwane
Sonke singothekwane!!!
Is the song a revelation that thekwane can take the form of any human?
THE END
