© 2023 Dr Margaret Sheppard
This Ditapelo service was held as part of a Sunday service that had started in the customary way . It took place in August 1978. After a short Sunday service it was announced that we were going to pray at a member's home where there had been a great deal of trouble. For example the children who were educated,were refusing to look after their family. We then left in procession with the men at the front, then the baptized women, followed by the unbaptized women and the children. The drum was carried on the back of a bicycle and as we moved through the village we sang hymns while the drum was beaten, and members danced.
When we finally arrived near the home (it was at the far end of the village) the leader (Mookamedi-
Processing through the village, singing hymns and dancing to the beat of a drum carried on the back of a bicycle
Drum on the back of a bicycle
Family awaiting arrival of Bethlehem Church to conduct the Ditapelo Service
Baruti at the front followed by women and children
Following these words of comfort and Bible readings, the congregation moved into the lolwapa where there was more room to dance.
There was a table with a candle stick to the left of the door. Everyone then took up their usual positions i.e. the men to the left of the altar by the door, baptized women to the right of the altar. The Moruti (Vice-
The service was conducted by the Vice-
The men, led by the Mookamedi, danced in one line and the women led by the Mookamedi's wife danced in the other and the lines wove in and out of each other. Next the family were put in the middle of the dancing circle and were danced around. The Prophets began to receive Moya (the Holy Spirit). Mookamedi could “see” that a sorcerer had buried a horn of sorcery in their yard to bewitch them and this was causing the problems. The sorcerer was even present at the service.
After that the family were all prayed upon by the Barapedi (Prayers) Then the rest of the congregation -
This special service as with traditional medicine, healing is aimed at repairing the obviously broken family social relationships, reassurance is given with the special prayers to make those who are suffering feel stronger to face their problems. The difference is that the protection is believed to be granted by God rather than Badimo (the Ancestors)
Inside Bethlehem Church, announcements were made and a collection was taken. People who wanted to join were put in the centre, but the Mookamedi warned new members that they should only join if their parents agreed, as if they joined they would not be allowed to use traditional medicine, only the Holy Water which “quarrels” with traditional medicine (i.e. attracts lightning when mixed with it in the same house or kgotla e.g. this had happened at the kgotla of the Malome (maternal Uncle) of one of my informants.) Therefore if they Joined without their parents’ consent, they would discredit the Zion Church. which was taken up by all the others. After this the service ended at about 5.00 p.m.
Moruti started a cheer "Viva, Bethlehem, Viva" which was taken up by all the others. The Mookamedi said he was glad that we had come to that house to pray
Then all walked back to the church in procession singing hymns on the way, entering the church in single file in the same order as entering the kgotla at the home of the troubled family
Mookamedi leads congregation around the kgotla before entering the house and yard where Prayer Service being held
Congregation entering the yard for the Prayer Service, Baruti (Prophet-