South African radio personality, television presenter, actor, choreographer and singer, Somizi Mhlongo, says he no longer hides his use of Impepho.
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In a recent Instagram post, the local star, Somizi, has addressed the myth that using Impepho is evil and dark.
As defined by a research article from The University of KwaZulu-Natal, Impepho is an indigenous African plant that, once dried, is burnt in order to communicate with one’s ancestors.
Impepho is well-known to the majority of Sub Saharan Africans as it is used to communicate with their ancestors and it is also used by traditional healers to communicate with the deceased.
The reality star posted a photo of a straw mat with bones and shells, as well as a bowl with impepho, two boxes of matches and a small tub of snuff.
“So one day many moons ago……someone who’s not African woke up and said I’m gonna convince all Africans that this is evil…..this dark……this is a myth………coz they realized how stronger how powerful how wise how free how happy and how rich we wud be if we practiced our own culture…..and convinced us that if we do it we must hide it……..I’m so glad my eyes got opened whilst I’m still on this earth……I’ve never been happier…..I’ve never been this free…..this pic right here is who I proudly am…..oh I am.so proud….I’m not ashamed anymore….I dont hide anymore……
I live by imphepho and everything u see in that pic…….if Indians can proudly and boldly light up incense anywhere anytime why can’t I…..if Christians can unashamedly whip out their bible anytime anywhere why can’t I wear my sphandla with no shame….all I’m saying is do u boo as long as u dont look down or disrespect my culture and tradition just as much as I shud do the same unto yoz…..thokoza….(sic),” – Somizi Mhlongo wrote.
Rapper and traditional healer Boity, commented on Somizi’s picture by saying: “Thokoza Khehla!”. Uzalo actress, Dawn Thandeka King, who is also a traditional healer commented on the photo saying: “This is powerful”
Image Courtesy: instagram.com/somizi