African indigenous cultures and practices
By GUGULETHU MHLONGO
Isifociya, also known as ixhama. Is a grass woven belt. It is a symbol of strength, resilience and compassion. In indigenous times, women wore isifociya when the men in the village went to war. They wore isifociya to fast and pray for these men’s victory and safe return from war.
Isifociya, strengthens and balances the woman’s sacral chakra which is responsible for her emotional maturity. It helps her express herself without being over stimulated, or out of touch with reality. Remembering that she is ‘umakoti’. She should always be respectful.
A woman’s waist carries so much spiritual power, through it she can manifest and bring forth so much into reality. It is believed that isifociya, is where the Ancestors ‘sit’. She can use it to communicate with the Ancestors at her marital or maternal home.
Isifociya cannot be worn with pants or when going to places such as the nightclub, or to a boyfriends house.
Isifociya is worn by women to protect their families, husbands, children and their extended families.
She can fast and pray for peace within her home. If she has children , she can pray for their prosperity and protection from all evil in life.
In impoverished homes, mothers wear
Photo source: Sboniso kaMabaso
isifociya for strength. In most instances there is not enough food to go around. And only the children eat. Should her husband die, the widow, wears isifociya for strength. She remains strong for her young. Isifociya gives her a strong posture, it straightens her shoulders and gives her the confidence to bring up her children, despite challenges. When it’s time for their children to go to varsity, these women wear isifociya to pray for a break through. Be it money to send their children for training, funding or bursaries to study. After completing tertiary, the same mothers wears isifociya and go into prayer so that their children find employment.
If you have ever wondered where the term, ‘bopha isifociya, mama wami!’, came from or what it means. This is it!, When children request, ‘ukubopha kwesifociya’ from their mothers, aunts or grandmothers. They are pleading with them for prayers over their lives, for protection from their enemies and evil attacks. As well as for growth and prosperity.