Welcoming  Ceremonies for amasokana 

  young ndebele men seated waiting to receive gifts

Initiation schools fall under cultural practices which Xhosa, Ndebele and Pedi tribes practice as part of their traditions. Young boys from the age of 12 years are being sent to the bushes with elderly men. Most people when they think about initiation schools what comes to mind is boys being circumcised , but it’s more that its where they get to know about their cultural backgrounds, principles they should hold in society as men, how to handle certain situations and the protection of their families as the head of families.

The initiation school take place every after three years. They leave their homes and go to live in the bushes for two months. Some of these practices are proven not to be safe especially the Xhosa initiation school some boys called iinkwenkwe die in the process some get extremely ill. Recently it is been said that the doctors are now getting involved in ensuring the best health care for the boys.

They are then give new names which belonged to their forefathers .They are also being taught languages that they use to communicate as men. They wear shorts made of cow skin called amabhetjha in Ndebele, they cover themselves with blankets illustrating Ndebele colours and beads.Prior to their return they gather by the Chief’s compound so that he can set them free and welcome them.They celebrate their return by singing songs that they produced for themselves and dance for us.

There have been illegal initiation schools whereby young boys are abducted to go and practice cultures that are not even theirs. This results in more deaths of these children and also parents suffer the consequences of having their children practicing cultures that are not even theirs. 

After coming back home safe, they slaughter goats for their ancestors to thank them for looking after them while they are at schools. Their parents also buy gifts to welcome them.