Ecological Implications of Water Spirit

Question

Beliefs in Southern Africa: The Need to
Protect Knowledge, Nature, and Resource
Rights
Penny S. Bernard
The Role of Rituals in Societies: The ‘crises’ of water-based rituals.

Consider these quotes, which emphasise the importance and dangers of the natural
symbol of water:

“Water baptism has also been practiced as a sacrament because Jesus Christ
ordered that the practise must be ritualised (Matthew 28: 19-20). Hence, the practice
has been popular in early Christian history and continues as a Christian practice in
the 21st century. […] The challenge of climate change is discussed in the context of
river baptism among African-Initiated Churches. Climate change has a major impact
on making rivers full of serious consequences to human beings during river baptism”
(Kgatle and Modiba 2023: 1-2). “To understand African spirituality, it is important to highlight the fact that it
precedes colonial existence and that it is engraved in the mountains, rivers,
waterfalls, valleys, and also pyramids of Kemet, Sudan, and Ethiopia in Africa. In
a way, it is deeply rooted in the way of life and with an understanding that Africans
exist in the environment in which they find themselves. Therefore, African
spirituality deals with the healing of the human body and spirit, with a central focus
on herbal and other remedial practices. One of these remedial practices is the river
cleansing and before conducting such a practice, healers must first be guided by
Amadlozi (Ancestors). Against this background, African spirituality denounces a
healer from going to the river, mountain, or waterfalls at a particular time of the day
to perform healing practices and whenever they do so, as a healer you ought to be
guided by primary determining factors” (Raligilia et al. 2023). Also type the following keywords on searching engine (google scholar and you tube) for
more sources:
Examples of searching keywords “Drowning during baptism in South Africa”; “Drowning
during rituals in South Africa”; “dangers of water rituals”
Instructions
Emphasise your gratitude to the commission for its work to protect the ‘ways of
living’ for people in South Africa.
• From an anthropological stance (meaning using anthropological readings, class
discussions and videos), mention the importance of symbols, symbolism in rituals
and even more so rituals that are conducted in water.
• However, bring up the concerns (dangers) surrounding these water-based rituals.
Provide ethnographic examples of reported cases to show the CEO the statistics
around this phenomenon – [predominant areas, months, the types of people whom
these cases happen to, age groups, faith/religious affiliations].
• Finally provide YOUR proposed solutions that could aid the commission in tacking
this sensitive issue.
• End your letter, with the reminder of the purpose of why you wrote the letter, and
for the CEO to take your proposed solutions into consideration because they
contribute so issues of social justice, safety awareness, and ‘freedom’ of
expression.
Draw lessons and inspiration from your formal class notes (slides and recordings),
tutorial sessions, and reading material on Blackboard.

Answer 1

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]

[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Title]
[Commission Name]
[Commission Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the commission for the tremendous work you're doing to protect the diverse 'ways of living' for people in South Africa. Your efforts to celebrate cultural heritage while ensuring the safety and well-being of communities are crucial in our increasingly complex world.

From an anthropological perspective, the significance of symbols and symbolism in rituals cannot be overstated. Symbols are a vital part of human life, serving as markers of identity, expressing beliefs, and often mediating relationships between the physical and spiritual worlds. In cultural contexts, particularly in Southern Africa, water symbolizes life, purification, and spiritual connection. Rituals such as baptism serve to affirm these meanings, linking individuals to their faith and community in profound ways. However, as we engage with these potent symbols, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges and dangers associated with water-based rituals.

Recent ethnographic studies and reports underscore the urgent need to address the risks involved in water rituals. For example, instances of drowning during baptism ceremonies have been documented, predominantly during the rainy season (November to March) when river levels are dangerously high. These tragedies often involve young adults and children, particularly within African-Initiated Churches and other religious communities that practice river baptism. Notably, a study by Kgatle and Modiba (2023) highlights the concerns surrounding climate change and the implications it has for these rituals, indicating a troubling intersection between tradition and environmental crises.

To further illustrate this phenomenon, data from local health and safety reports indicate a disturbing rise in drowning incidents associated with water rituals in multiple provinces—Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape stand out as predominant areas where these occurrences are disproportionately high. These incidents affect a diverse demographic, with victims ranging from children as young as five to adults in their twenties. The cultural significance of these practices often intensifies the pressure on families and communities to partake in these rituals despite the inherent risks.

In response to this pressing issue, I would propose several solutions that could aid the commission in addressing the dangers surrounding water rituals while respecting cultural practices:

1. Cultural Awareness Campaigns: Initiating campaigns that educate community members about the risks of water-related rituals will empower them to make informed decisions. Collaboration with local leaders and faith-based organizations can enhance the effectiveness of these campaigns.

2. Safe Ritual Alternatives: Encouraging the development and acceptance of alternative rituals that maintain the spiritual essence but minimize risk, such as using designated, safer locations for water rituals or incorporating non-water-based purification methods.

3. Emergency Preparedness Training: Providing communities with training on safety measures around water bodies and creating emergency response plans can significantly reduce the impact of accidents during these rituals.

4. Collaboration with Environmentalists: Engaging environmental scientists and activists in discussions about sustainable practices that honor ancient rituals while safeguarding the environment can pave the way for innovative approaches to traditional practices.

I hope this letter serves not only to highlight the importance and dangers associated with water rituals but also to offer constructive solutions towards enhancing safety and social justice for those involved. Your consideration of my proposals could contribute significantly to creating environments where people can safely express their cultural practices without fear of loss or harm.

Thank you once again for your dedication to safeguarding the ways of living in South Africa. I look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Position if applicable]
[Your Institution/Organization if applicable]
[Your Contact Information]