Topic 5 of 5 · Grade 7
Culture and customs
Culture is the way of life of a people: language, beliefs, food, dress, music, dance, games, ceremonies and values.
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Culture
Culture is the way of life of a people: language, beliefs, food, dress, music, dance, games, ceremonies and values.
Customs and ceremonies
- Birth and naming ceremonies; names often have meanings.
- Marriage customs such as roora/lobola, which unite two families.
- Funerals and memorial ceremonies, such as bringing back the spirit of the deceased.
- Rain-making and harvest ceremonies.
- Totems (mitupo/izibongo) that show clan identity and teach respect for animals and nature.
Respect and good manners
Greeting elders properly, sitting respectfully, using polite language and helping others are important values (Unhu/Ubuntu).
Traditional games, songs and dances
Games such as nhodo and tsoro; folk songs; dances that are performed at ceremonies.
Oral tradition
Folktales, praise poems and history passed down by word of mouth.
Exam tip: Use examples from your own community and family when answering culture questions.
Check yourself
- Give two examples of traditional ceremonies.
- What is the purpose of a totem?
- Name two traditional games.
Show answers
- Any two: naming ceremony, wedding/roora, funeral, rain-making, harvest ceremony.
- It shows clan identity and teaches respect for animals and nature.
- Any two: nhodo, tsoro, raka-raka, hwishu.
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