Months came into bygones. Bhekizulu with his four uncles in hats and suits, went to Nqutu to initiate a formal proposal known as Lobola. At the gate, they summoned the landlord’s presence.

“All hail the natives,” his uncle Sibeko greeted. “We have come in peace. Be at ease if you can hear us,”

“Have you ever done this hoe?” uncle Gumede silently disclosing him from his heed.

“Yeah twice if I can still remember,” uncle Sibeko said looking towards Mr Ncobo. “Let me do my job.” uncle Gumede said and got back to his crew and nephew.

“He will sell us out.” Uncle Gumede said. “I should be the one leading this.”

“For sure.”

Mr Ncobo came out with his long cudgel as predicated.

Everyone acknowledged Mc Ncobo standing still, talking to his wife.

“Ntombikayise!” Mr Ncobo called upon her rival.

“Yes baba.” said his wife.

“I do not trust those foreign men. Call my associates!” Mrs Ncobo agreed.

Later they were received at the main hut. Mr Ncobo sat with his two brothers next to the old man smoking his pipe. Their guests sat at a backless bench. The room was joined by five girls who sat on the floor including Thulisile.

The old man asked, “Which one does your boy know among these girls?” while pointing at the girls with his pipe. Uncle Gumede quickly pointed out Nomalanga. “She’s the prettiest to have our children.” he said.

He frowned adjusting the stable chair they all sat on while the others disagreed. The girls giggled leaving Ncobo and his associates confused. Mr Sibeko placed bank notes onto the mat.

“She’s the one,” he said, while pointing out Thulisile who was flushed.

“Her name is Thulisile Ncobo. And we are honoured to introduce her to the Gumedes.”

“Thulisile, do you know these men?” Mr Nkomo asked.

“I do,” she said blushing from behind her hands.

“I love you,” said Bhekizulu quietly to his mate when she looked at him.

“Okay then so be it,” Mr Nkomo said.

“We accept your money for cows. We shall pass our child onto your clan.”

Uncle Gumede stretched out his arm and took out a note from the basket and left everyone confused as he got settled down.

Mr Ncobo carried out a Zulu ceremony following the negotiation. Cattle blood was shed among several livestock while the kids ran around. Most men were clothed in cow skin called amashoba, ibesh and isinene while some of the outfits were crafted from leopard skin.

Women’s outfit differed from grass skirts to cowhide skirts. Their bodies were covered in colourful cloths, as well as hats made from beads, grass and cotton. Young women were groomed in colourful necklaces and bracelets.

Mrs Ncobo burnt impepho (incense) in the backyard from an urn to declare her child to the ancestors. Men amassed the kraal for a feast. Mr Ncobo was a busy man on that day. Traditional beer was given to the guests from clay pots for them to drink. They sung  and danced while Mr Nkomo showed them how it’s done. The ritual was carried out to the groom’s family.

In the morning Bhekizulu came out from the Eastern sphere of the hut riding a black horse in his black suit, accompanied by his Zulu warriors show-casing their combat skills in his path. From the Western sphere Thulisile came out riding her white horse with her white dress, while female companions among her sisters lead a traditional song with a dance. The lovers joined at the center and rode out south.

Among the crowd Mr Nkomo and uncle Gumede stood by side.

“Surprise, surprise!” chanted Mr Nkomo with both hands raised in praise.

“Yes!” agreed Uncle Gumede.

“She won’t see it coming!” said Mr Nkomo with his hands now in his pockets.

Just as the couple stepped outside the gates, Bhekizulu’s mother Doris Gumede brought a long broom to hold up his traditional dress above his feet so he could walk. At the road was the two tree wood, she placed her broom on either end. The horde recited Romeo and Juliet.

Bhekizulu and Thulisile kept looking at each other smiling and wondering who was going to be the first to jump from their fitful horse. Bhekizulu drew back his black stallion and took it over the broom which pleased the host.

Thulisile seemed unnerved in this moment, beholding Nomalanga nearby in acquiesce, she whirled through to look at her proud father. At last the man of her dreams stood waiting for her on the other end. She felt like she was floatinghigh above the ground and over the bridge. She could hear applause as her and her soul mate took to their journey beyond. Bare foot kids across road joined in the run, greeting the couple with palms held high, while laughing as the neighbours looked on.

They came out from the inlands riding like shooting stars, they rode up the mountain as the sun sunk behind it. To her disbelief as the stood on top of the hills, Bhekizulu shot an arrow straight onto an unmarked map.

Bhekizulu stole a Basotho hat from the sheep man on foot, he shouted back for it with his cudgel as they passed by carefree. They got lost in the forests while riding a course, they touched the river, while drifting in the water with their horses they let it all go. The water sparkled from the sun and they crossed over to a near beach by dawn – this was their end destination.

Bhekizulu tied up the horses around the trees, they were staying in a great house built from grass for their honeymoon. When Bhekizulu revealed the wonders of the world and she realised that heaven did exist. A place where trees are walls, roots are nurtured by wine and every dish included meat. They kissed as the door closed.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think lobola still binds two families together or it’s not relevant anymore people just use it for wrong reasons?