At Mphutungwane, we will be offering a range of services in addition to the basic consultations. I will be offering what I like to call Traditional Counselling. Tradition and the attendant ceremonies are an important part of ones life. Many have disregarded their cultures and had to find their way back to it under difficult circumstances. This service is a multi-cultural one because all ethnicities have some kind of tradition that was followed in the past. Some of the aspects covered will be Traditional weddings, ceremonies around death and coming of age ceremonies.

Traditional Weddings
All weddings and their preparations are a stressful time. This is doubly so with the new trend of having both a “white” wedding and a traditional wedding. The white wedding usually comes after a significant portion of the traditional wedding has started but has not been concluded. What most people see is usually the final ceremony when the bride is welcomed into the groom’s family. The whole marriage process happens because of necessity over a period of months with reciprocal visits between the two families. Conflicts can arise usually when there is a union between a traditional and a non-traditional family. This is where our service can smooth the marriage processes. In addition, we are able to assist with the sourcing of the numerous gifts which are exchanged during these visits.

Birth Rituals
Families differ slightly on the timing of this, but mostly it should be done once the infant is about 3 months old. This is a thanksgiving ceremony done by the parents for the safe birth of the child and an injunction to all the mothers in the family who have passed to help look after the child throughout his/her life.

Death Rituals
There is a lot of symbolism and meaning in the death. Obviously because of the belief in life after death it becomes very important that all the rituals are performed correctly to allow the person no longer physically around to be a strong positive influence on the family in the next life. It is also at this point that prayers and rituals for the safe passage of the soul to its rightful place in the next life are extremely important. We believe that it is us here on earth who are able to give the power to our ancestors to be free in the next life. this we do through the rituals that are performed over the period of a year from the time of death.

Coming of Age Ceremonies
This is traditionally a very important milestone as seen from the popularity of 21st birthday parties. In Africa the equivalent would be umemulo where one’s parents give thanks for the life of the child thus far and also thank the child for being a positive example to younger siblings. This is an elaborate and beautiful event which involves the whole community and family.