History - Religion
The Pedi traditionally believe that God, Modimo, created the world. The affairs of daily life, however, are regulated by the ancestral spirits. TRADITIONAL A traditionally orientated Pedi honours and respects the spirits of his forefathers. Ancestors communicate with the living through dreams. They are honoured by offerings of beer or the flesh of sacrificial animals. Rites of this nature are held at the graves of important ancestors, often in cattle kraals. The importance of an ancestral spirit is determined by the living person’s position in the community. Chief’s ancestors are the most respected. They are concerned with the most importsnt matters including rain. Presently numerous Pedi are members of the Zionist Christian Church (ZCC) while others belong to the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches.
WESTERN Christianity Lydenburgers practice a variety of religions which include Christianity as well as religions of Oriental origin such as Islam and Hinduism. The word Christianity is derived from the name of Christ. The followers of the Christian religion are called Christians. The Christian religion is based on the way of life and the teachings of Christ. As a Holy Book the Bible is the written source of the Christian religion. Lydenburg’s churches and religions include the Reformed Church, the Dutch Reformed Church , the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika, the Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Apostolic Faith Mission, Zionist Church of Christ the Roman Catholic Church, Islam and Hinduism. The Lydenburg Methodist Church This church is situated in Burger Street, Lydenburg. Its foundation stone was laid 1913 and replaced in 1979. The carved wood panelling was designed, created and installed by Rev Clifford Kingsley Storey (1901-02-10 to 1959-08-24) who practiced carpentry as a hobby. Rev Story was stationed at Pilgrim’s Rest while serving the Lydenburg, Graskop and Sabie congregations from 1928 to 1931. His woodwork can also be seen in the Pilgrim’s Rest Methodist Church. The Lydenburg congregation still uses the original blow organ when the instrument installed in 1984 is out of action because of a power failure.
Missionaries In 1860 the Lutheran Berlin Missionary Society missionaries A. Merensky and H. Grützner started preaching the gospel amongst the Pedi. A third missionary, Nachtigal founded a mission in Lydenburg in 1866. Four years later he bought the farm Leidenburg and moved the mission there. Missionary work was continued by C.G. Bauling. Islam Some South Africans whose ancestors came from the Indian subcontinent or the Indonesian Archipelago, practice the Islamic faith and are known as Muslims. The Holy Qu’ran is the Divine Scripture of the Muslims, revealed to the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) from Allah. Additional sources known as the Ahadith and the Sunnah contain respectively the sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammed. The Islamic Faith is based upon five pillars: - Belief in the oneness of Allah and the messengership of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). - Performing five daily prayers. - Fasting in the month of Ramadahn (according to the Islamic calender). - Paying Zakaat (alms) for the poor. - Making a pilgrimage to Mecca (performing Haji) at least once a lifetime, if circumstances allow.
26ePulpit of Lydenburg Dutch reformed church
| Posted: 2004/10/18 | |
