Gatyeni

Let me explain a beautiful custom from my family when we do umbulelo (thanksgiving). On the day of the function, before anything else, we have iBhunga. iBhunga is a briefing session attended by family members ONLY. No community, just family. In iBhunga, you as the person doing the thanksgiving must explain the REASONS for doing it. You must account. You must give a full report of what you are thanking for. In my case, I had to stand before my family and explain my PhD - its objectives, its findings 😂😂. Imagine presenting your PhD twice! Then I had to explain about the private clinic, its purpose and the journey. Only after you have satisfied the family in iBhunga, do you then go to the house and invite the community. It is then the family elders who explain to the community what the thanksgiving is about. You don't explain to the community, your elders do. Family first. Community after. That's how we do umbulelo.