Shembe Festival by Zululand Eco-Adventures

Tour Itinerary

Shembe

With about 4.5 million followers, Shembe, who is the fourth successor to the prophet Isaya, is regarded as a miracle performer in the mould of Christ. After services, thousands queue kneeling to be blessed (with a bottle of vaseline) and cured. A visit to Judea is a step into another world that is on our doorstep but so distant to us. Visitors are welcome and meetings with him can be arranged.

The Nazereth Baptist Church was introduced to the continent of Africa by Prophet Isaiah Shembe in 1910.

Each year during the last three weeks of October over 25000 Zulu Shembes gather at Judea near Eshowe to meet their Leader.Interviews can be arranged.

This festival takes place at Judea near Eshowe every year during October. Tens of thousands of faithful gather and resurrect the village disbanded the previous year. In this very vibrant and colourful village hundreds of family shops spring up selling items of food to religious paraphernalia. A hive of economic activity prevails in between a formal religious program.

There are two sessions of prayer and traditional "prayer" dances performed by five distinct groups. At prayer all dress in long white robes (elders in green). At the dance men in traditional warrior type gear. older women in modest black and beautifully beaded dresses and headgear. The younger women and the Scottish in their distinctive attire. No shoes, hats, smoking or alcohol permitted.

The Nazereth believes in God the father (Jehova) God the Son (Jesus Christ) God the Holy Spirit of Ekuphakameni (Shembe the Holy Spirit - not the person in human flesh). The church observes the Sabbath Day.

Nazarite.

A Nazarite takes a vow that they may not partake of any liqour, shall not shave his/her hair. Males will be circumsized on reaching 18. They be baptised in a pool of water. He or she does not feed himself or herself with all that which is cast out.(Pork singled out strongly). These basic requirements need to be fulfilled to attain holiness.

The Nazareth observes traditional values which are not in conflict with Gods will. If you are African then African traditional values and if Western, Western traditional values. Emphasis on traditional African attire is not in conflict with God. Hence there is an uncommon way of worshipping God that is through African traditional dance with beating of drums.

Shembe Service

During the month of October, over 25000 Shembes gather for a month of religious celebrations in the village of Judea near Eshowe. The Village literally springs up overnight at their yearly gathering place. This is an absolute eye opener and gives one a chance to meet the Shembes and their Saviour. On the Sunday followers get an opportunity to be healed and blessed by Shembe. Saturday is the traditional prayer dance. Sunday is the day of prayer.

There is a tremendous emphasis on traditional dress and dance, praise singing and the blowing of the Horns of Jericho.