Cultural Resource Centre

Educate yourself about some salient African cultural concepts.

The Cultural Importance of Livestock & the Kraal.

Livestock is the historic currency of many African cultures. In an African homestead livestock is protected in the kraal - the repository of a household's wealth; the bank of African communities. Further, a kraal is a rather sacret and spiritual space. In the past, the burial site of the deceased members of a family was at the entrance to the family kraal. The underlying belief was that, upon their death, the deceased elders advance to a world of ancestors, whence they remain connected to their family through a spiritual bond. By placing their remains next to the kraal, they continue to be the guardians of the well-being of their erstwhile earthly home. For this reason, a kraal is seen as the gateway to a family’s ancestry. It is the preferred venue for traditional ceremonies, whose purpose is to reach out to ancestors. It is to the African traditionalist what the alter is to the Christian.

The slaughter of a cow, goat or sheep, usually in the kraal, is a spiritual invocation that underpins many African ceremonies, be they traditional baptisms, funerals, weddings, thanksgving or others in a broad array of events. Inspired by this rich tradition, this platform, called Native Kraal is born at the intersection of technology and tradition. It is a disruptive market intervention that facilitates the supply of livestock and fresh bulk meat, to the vast market of traditional events, whilst serving as an educational resources for the many users who seek to be restored to their authenticity.

Below we provide a summary of how various African cultural groups observe their ceremonies.

Livestock & Traditional Cerememonies

Xhosa

1. Imbeleko/Traditional Baptism -
2. Isiko Lokolusa Ikwekwe/Circumcision Ceremonies -
3. Umtshato/Weddings -
4. Umngcwabo/Funeral -

Zulu

1. Imbeleko/Traditional Baptism -
2. Umtshado/Weddings -

Sotho

Pedi

Venda

Tsonga

Ndebele