Religious Organisation of the Ndebele State

Drawing of Ndebele army dancing. Image credit plus.google.com

• They believed in a supreme God whom they called Umnkulunkulu.
• The Ndebele adopted the Rozvi Mwari called Mlimo in SiNdebele and Amadhloziformerly called masvikiro
• In times of disaster they consulted the Amadhlozi so that they could mediate to Mlimo
• They also consulted the Amadhlozi in times of war as they were used to instill discipline in the army
• The Amadhlozi prepared the warriors psychologically for war
• These religious leaders were respected highly that Mzilikazi and Lobengula paid tribute to those who stayed at Matonjeni and Uswa
• The Ndebele practiced the Inxwala ceremony with the king presiding over it

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