Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini wants to cleanse the men of his nation of the spirits that breed violence.
The monarch wants to halt the wave of political violence that has plagued KwaZulu-Natal by performing a traditional ceremony - but it is not clear whether all Zulu men will be required to take part in the ritual.
Royal family spokesman Prince Mbonisi Zulu said the king wanted to create tolerance.
"The king will first meet the council of traditional leaders on [Thursday].
"The details about the cleansing of men will come from their meeting. It is important for the king to meet traditional leaders because the ritual involves people in the clans," said Zulu.
The spate of political murders in the province- involving members of the Inkatha Freedom Party and the National Freedom Party - has led to the king's hosting a series of meetings with political, cultural and religious leaders with the aim of bringing an end to the bloodshed .
As the custodian of Zulu culture, Zwelithini felt that instead of constantly convening conferences about the killings, Zulus should reconsider their customs.
The ritual he wants to perform, probably next month, is known as ukukhumelana umlotha ("the sharing of ash") and he hopes it will lead people to forsake their political differences in favour of their tribal links.
Zulu scholar and historian Professor Jabulani Maphalala said people are still fighting in the province because they have iqungwa -the urge to kill.
Maphalala said that since September 1984, when politically motivated killings are said to have begun in the area, often involving necklacing, no appropriate rituals had been performed to rid people of the urge to kill.
"Our culture dictates that when people have been involved in any form of war, cleansing should be performed," he said.
Historically, Maphalala said, when a person killed another in war his family had to perform the ritual.
"People were given muti when at war that they would use after killing an enemy to discard an evil spirit for the death," he said.
He welcomed Zwelithini's initiatives.
He said that many Zulu people abandoned important cultural traditions "because they are nominal Christians" not recognising the importance of traditional customs .
"People had been using muti during violence between ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
"The king is the only person that can put a stop to these killings and perform rituals because he has nothing to do with politics.
"Politicians have failed but they have to support the king on this," he said.
This article was first published in The Times newspaper
King aims to purge 'violent' Zulu spirits
Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini wants to cleanse the men of his nation of the spirits that breed violence.
The monarch wants to halt the wave of political violence that has plagued KwaZulu-Natal by performing a traditional ceremony - but it is not clear whether all Zulu men will be required to take part in the ritual.
Royal family spokesman Prince Mbonisi Zulu said the king wanted to create tolerance.
"The king will first meet the council of traditional leaders on [Thursday].
"The details about the cleansing of men will come from their meeting. It is important for the king to meet traditional leaders because the ritual involves people in the clans," said Zulu.
The spate of political murders in the province- involving members of the Inkatha Freedom Party and the National Freedom Party - has led to the king's hosting a series of meetings with political, cultural and religious leaders with the aim of bringing an end to the bloodshed .
As the custodian of Zulu culture, Zwelithini felt that instead of constantly convening conferences about the killings, Zulus should reconsider their customs.
The ritual he wants to perform, probably next month, is known as ukukhumelana umlotha ("the sharing of ash") and he hopes it will lead people to forsake their political differences in favour of their tribal links.
Zulu scholar and historian Professor Jabulani Maphalala said people are still fighting in the province because they have iqungwa -the urge to kill.
Maphalala said that since September 1984, when politically motivated killings are said to have begun in the area, often involving necklacing, no appropriate rituals had been performed to rid people of the urge to kill.
"Our culture dictates that when people have been involved in any form of war, cleansing should be performed," he said.
Historically, Maphalala said, when a person killed another in war his family had to perform the ritual.
"People were given muti when at war that they would use after killing an enemy to discard an evil spirit for the death," he said.
He welcomed Zwelithini's initiatives.
He said that many Zulu people abandoned important cultural traditions "because they are nominal Christians" not recognising the importance of traditional customs .
"People had been using muti during violence between ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
"The king is the only person that can put a stop to these killings and perform rituals because he has nothing to do with politics.
"Politicians have failed but they have to support the king on this," he said.
This article was first published in The Times newspaper
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