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Shembe Laws & Observances
The religious life of iBandla lamaNazaretha is governed by a body of laws and observances that members trace to the teachings of Isaiah Shembe and, through him, to the Law of Moses. These shape daily conduct, worship, diet, dress and the church's sacred calendar. The following describes these practices as they are observed and reported, without endorsement or criticism.
Saturday Sabbath
The Sabbath is observed on Saturday and is kept strictly. The Sabbath begins on Friday evening, and many members refrain from work, cooking, lighting fires and other everyday activities until it ends, gathering instead for worship. Saturday is taught to be set apart as a holy day.
Dietary laws
Members follow Old Testament-style dietary restrictions, most notably the avoidance of pork and other foods regarded as 'unclean'. Some members also avoid additional foods in line with these teachings. Smoking and the consumption of certain substances are likewise discouraged or prohibited.
Dress and barefoot worship
Worship is conducted in white robes (umnazaretha) and barefoot. Going barefoot during worship and pilgrimage is linked to the biblical account of Moses at the burning bush and to treating the worship ground as holy. Traditional Zulu regalia is worn for sacred dance.
Moral and family observances
Members are taught to avoid premarital sex and to observe customary norms of respect (hlonipha). The church accommodates customary Zulu marriage practices, and polygyny is permitted within its marriage laws; reporting this descriptively, the church frames such practices as ordered for the welfare of those involved.
Ritual life
Key rituals include baptism by immersion, foot-washing ceremonies, and Holy Communion (described in some accounts as celebrated at night and preceded by a period of fasting). Worship centres on Shembe's isiZulu hymns and sacred dance (ukusina).
Sacred calendar and pilgrimage
The church follows its own liturgical calendar and observes the annual barefoot pilgrimage to the holy mountain of Nhlangakazi, traditionally in January, alongside other major gatherings such as the festival in the 'Judea' area near Eshowe.
Described factually and respectfully from documented sources. Corrections welcome.