Southern Africa

Xhosa Religion

Xhosa — South Africa

Supreme Creator

uThixo

Also: uQamata

Core Beliefs

• Supreme creator, often considered remote
• Ancestor veneration (Izinyanya/Amathongo) as intermediaries
• Rites of passage: imbeleko (birth), ulwaluko (male initiation), intonjane (female initiation)
• Igqirha diviners called by ancestors
• Ixhwele herbalists for traditional medicine

Divination System

Trance-based divination by Igqirha

Priesthood

Igqirha/Amagqirha (diviners), Ixhwele/Amaxhwele (herbalists)

Sacred Texts & Traditions

Related Traditions