Myths, Legends and Traditions associated with Fruit – Volume 4 – (Article 4 of 6)

by Dr. Marli Botha

The traditional first fruit ritual is an annual harvest celebration; first fruit ceremony is held when the new season’s crops ripen in December or early January.

The First Fruits festival of the Nguni peoples in Southern Africa are a type of sacrificial ceremony of giving the first fruits in a harvest to God or the gods who are believed to be responsible for the abundance of food. It was performed by the high priests of the kingdom, and the king was always in attendance. Traditionally, it marked a time of prosperity in the good harvests experienced after the seasonal agricultural period.

It also brought the nation together, unifying it at a time of merry-making and quashing fears of famine. The tradition is still practiced mainly in the kingdoms of KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland. The ceremonies are headed by the kings of the tribes: Mswati III in Swaziland, celebrated as Incwala, and King Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zulu nation, celebrated as Umkhosi Wokweshwama.

The Zulu first fruit ceremony is held when the new season’s crops ripen in December or early January. The ceremony takes place at Enyokeni Royal Palace, Nongoma, Zululand, and the exact date is subject to the Zulu king’s discretion.