In today’s post, I explore seven religious shrines that are associated with Mbona cult, apart from the famous Khulubvi shrine. Before Mbona had been killed, and his head led to rest at Khulubvi sacred site, he rested in numerous places in the lower Shire valley. People around the places where he rested turned the sites into shrines that were used to honour his spirit. Below I explore satellite shrines related to the Mbona cult.
1.
Nyandzikwi
sacred shrine.
Nyandzikwi sacred site
is located where Maraka and Bangula roads cross each other. This is in Group Village Headman
Lundu in Nsanje district.
2.
Mwala
umodzi shrine
You find this place of
worship near Mgwiriza Village within the course of Thangadzi river in the same
location. The name “Mwala umodzi’ is a
reference to a famous and esoteric rock outcrop that stands out in the
Thangadzi river. It is a single stone, and “Mwala umodzi” literary means “one
stone”.
The tale goes that
Mbona’s buttock imprints (popularly known as Mbona’s buttocks) had remained on
Mwala umodzi when he sat on it.
3.
Kaloga
sacred cave site.
In Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve
is where this sacred Mbona worship site appears. It is near Kanyimbi village.
People in this looked to this place as an answer to community problems. They
would offer sacrifices to appease God in times of diseases, heavy winds,
drought and other calamities.
Related: Best Introduction to Understanding the Mbona Cult
4.
Chifunda
Lundu Shrine
A unique element found
at this shrine is the presence of imprints known as “Phazi la Mbona” which
literary means “a foot of Mbona”.
At the time Mbona was
migrating from Kaphirintiwa—to set up his headquarters at Mbewe ya
Mitengo—he had a stop-over at this place, and rested.
In a way, it interests
me to note that Mbewe ya Mitengo, is indeed today’s headquarters of Paramount
chief Lundu.
Equally interesting is the revelation that in the old days, Chifunda Lundu itself used to be a place where
a new chief would be anointed (upon beings installed),— before going to Mbewe ya
Mitengo.
5.
Nkhadzi
sacred shrine
This is site is shielded
under a huge baobab tree in Nsanje district. It is under the leadership of
Traditional Authority Ngabu, and his subjects take care of this holy place.
Mbona passes through
this shrine when he wants to pay chief Ngabu a visit; he firstly arrives at the
baobab tree and then strolls for about thirty metres towards an acacia tree,
where he rests. Lastly, he goes into the chief Ngabu’s house.
The chief offers
sacrifices to repel problems such as illnesses and misfortunes in the
community. A room—inside the chief’s house— exists, and is spared for
consultations with Mbona.
6.
Kande
Dzimbiri Rain shrine
This shrine is known for
relics of pots that were abandoned at the site after making offerings.
Ancestors to the
incumbent chief Changata established Kande Dzimbiri as their holy place to
honour the spirit of Mbona. A Kachisi (a
hut used for worshipping was constructed at the site.
They had been the
mang’anja, and were related to Lundu.
They later formed a
sub-chieftainship between chikokoto and Masekese rivers in the area of Thyolo
district.
You’ll find the shrine
in the area of Sub-Traditional Authority Mphuka in Chikwawa district.
7.
Mtsakana
Rain Shrine
This was a graveyard –
cum – shrine within the premises of group Village Headman Zimara in Traditional
Authority Maseya in Chikwawa district.
At this place, people
initially made sacrifices in honour of the spirit of people who had passed on in
the area. When a village citizen died,
their belongings were taken to “Mphumulo”, a resting place. This was so because
it was believed that no one would re-use the possessions.
After some time, the
village would organise a ceremony in memory of the dead person; offerings of
beer as tribute and prayers to Mbona would be made.
Later, they set up a
Kachisi at the same site for the purpose of worship and sacrifices in honour of
Mbona.
There you’re, all these
seven shrines sprout out from one main Mbona-worship focal point—the Khulubvi
sacred shrine.
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| www.theafricangourmet.com photo |
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