Dikoma 2023 - Ga Mokoena Ovandale

#Matube#Kgati#StickFights
Matube - The Traditional Stick Fighting Art of the Mapulana People
#Dikoma#mapulaneng#Bushbuckruidge
Mapulana, a lowveld ethnic group found in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga province and the borders of Limpopo province, Mapulane initiate their youth into womanhood and manhood through an initiation school (KOMA) held in winter. The practices of KOMA are marked by secrecy. Boys and girls who have undergone initiation together will belong to the same regiment. An elaborate system is in place to distinguish a regiment from another based on when the regiment was initiated. The uninitiated cannot "visit" an initiation school when it is in session.

Throughout the homecoming celebration weekend, the young initiated women (BONGWALE) and men (BADIKA) will again and again, in a show of pride, challenge each other to a dance and mock stick fight respectively. Thereafter they will flock to the house of the initiation school permit holder who is the principal of KOMA. Initiates will sleep in the house of the permit holder on the Friday. Parents will then come back on the following Saturday morning to officially receive their initiated female and males, who are now viewed in the Mapulana cultural context as women and men and they would go to the varies families for more celebrations and festivities.

DIKOMA being one of the biggest initiation celebrations in South Africa held in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, gathers over 6000 initiates and well attracts the attention of 150 000 people through different platforms, through its festivities.
Discover Matube, the traditional stick fighting art of the Mapulana people from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa. This ancient practice is a central feature of the Mofetolelo and Moyalogo wa Koma events, which celebrate the return of young men from the initiation school, known as Koma in Mapulaneng.

About Matube:
Matube is more than just a form of combat; it's a cultural expression of manhood and bravery in the Mapulana tradition. During these vibrant celebrations, African men gather to engage in this traditional sport, showcasing their skills and strength in front of the newly initiated men, known as Madika. The purpose of these fights is to entertain the initiates and to exemplify what it means to be a man in the Mapulana culture.

The Tradition and Practice:
Participants in Matube remove their tops and enter the circle armed with a shield and a long, flexible stick. The fights are not just about physical prowess but also about demonstrating courage, respect, and the cultural values of the Mapulana people.

Watch our video to experience:

The excitement and intensity of Matube stick fighting
The cultural significance of the Mofetolelo and Moyalogo wa Koma events
The rich traditions and values of the Mapulana people

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