By Subry Govender in Durban, South Africa
Tens of thousands of South Africans of Indian-origin once again flocked to temples and places of worship all over the country to participate in the annual Kavady prayer services on Sunday, February 12. The Sunday gatherings followed similar events that were held three days earlier on Thursday, February 9. The Thursday and Sunday services were characterised by entire families, including young children and teenagers, participating in the Kavady ceremonies with all their passion, commitment and total belief in the deity - Lord Muruga.
The Kavady devotees turned up in huge numbers despite the scorching heat which became unbearable for most of the day. The devotees in fact were undeterred by the burning sun.
I was really impressed when I attended one of the Kavady ceremonies at the Shri Siva Subramaniam Alyam in the area of Umdloti in the town of Verulam, north of Durban, on Sunday (Feb 12 2017).
This historic temple, like hundreds of temples all over KwaZulu-Natal and many other parts of south africa, was built by our forefathers and mothers who were brought to the then Natal Colony to work as indentured (slave) labourers on sugar plantations since the 1860s.
Kavady was one of the traditions that our ancestors started at these temples and thereafter bestowed to their children and surviving generations. This tradition continues today with the same passion and vigour.
Here at the Umdloti Drift Alyam I noticed large numbers of young people fully involved, not only in carrying the Kavady, but also as singers, drummers and providing support for their family members.
The spiritual nature of the Kavady ceremony was uplifted tenfold with beautiful religious music being played in the background for the devotees.
(Guru Ramalingam with two officials)
Guru Ramalingam, the resident priest who is from Tamil Nadu in India, told me that most people participated in the Kavady ceremonies to overcome any hurdles or obstacles in their lives.
“It’s like discipline in your life.
“Look at the Indian diaspora all over the world and ask yourself why they are successful. They are successful because of their culture, devotion, and discipline and that’s why Muruga Perumal looks after them,” he said.
Some of the devotees I spoke to said they carried the Kavady because of the spiritual and cultural upliftment they gained from the ceremonies.
(Mr Enver Moodley and family members)
Twenty-eight-year-old Mr Enver Moodley, a general manager in a contact centre, took part in the ceremony with his wife and two-year-old son.
“It’s a devotion and something that I do for my child to make sure that he follows the rituals in the same way that I was brought up in life,” he said. “My son is going to be two years in March and this is to make sure that he grows up and follows our traditions.
“I have been really, really involved for the past nine years. Every year that I have been participating, I have seen people’s lives changing for the better and I have seen it in myself. I am 28-years-old and I have seen that I have been prospering ever since I have been carrying the Kavady.”
Mr Moodley conceded that with the advent of technology and modernisation there’s some concerns about whether the younger generation would stick to their cultures.
“But I believe that if parents, like me and my wife, continue to promote the Kavady and other festivals within our families, then obviously the children would follow in the footsteps of their families.
“It all starts from us to make sure that they follow in the right pathway. If they continuously see what their parents are doing, then obviously they will follow in their footsteps.”
(Mrs Vasanthie Nayanar and family members)
Another Kavady devotee was Mrs Vasanthie Nayanar, a financial accountant.
“For me,” she said, “it’s just something I have to do every year, there’s no vow, no penance,” she said.
“It’s just part of my culture basically. I feel very spiritually uplifted when I take the Kavady.”
Mrs Nayanar has started a youth programme to educate the youth about the importance and significance of Kavady.
“In order to retain the youth we must embark on a process of educating the youth about the significance of the Kavady. For me that should be the purpose of the Kavady,” she said.
“I am happy to see a lot of youth around here and we need to continue to educate them about the values of Kavady and other important cultural events.”
(Mr Dean Naidoo)
Mr Dean Naidoo, who is a senior manager at a prominent company in Durban, was there to support his son who has been taking Kavady for the past nine years.
“He’s got the passion for taking Kavady,” said Mr Naidoo, “he believes that there’s a lot of faith in the Kavady and he has devoted his life to take Kavady”.
“Our tradition is there and the number of people who participated on Thursday and today is proof that our traditions, cultures and religion are firmly rooted in our people.”
Mr Naidoo said as far as he was concerned the younger generation was passionate about Kavady because they wanted to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.
“If you look around here you can see the number of young people and their families who are joining together to be involved in their prayers.”
(Prof Kisten with officials)
A Trustee of the Shri Siva Subramamiar Alyam, Professor Chandru Kisten, said they had seen an upsurge in the number of people, especially the youth, participating in the Kavady ceremonies.
“There is re-surgence among the people, especially the young, in their traditions and cultures because of the good work being carried out by all the temples and organisations”, he said.
“There’s greater awareness of the significance, and at the same time, there are so many stories told about the miracles that happen during this auspicious period.
“There’s a real belief in the carrying of the Kavady and the signifance of the prayer.”
Prof Kisten said they had found that the young people were becoming more and more committed to the cultures and traditions of their ancestors… .
He added: “You will even find the youngsters now not only piercing and carrying the Kavady, but there’s a real belief in Kavady. The youngsters come forward and assist in all spheres. The fact that they come with their parents and pray together is an indication that more and more people are becoming spiritually inclined.
“This tradition started by our ancestors has continued and we must now continue to strengthen and promote the Kavady ceremony and other cultural traditions.”
The Kavady ceremonies in South Africa have become part and parcel of the lives of the Indian-origin community and other cultural communities as well. In many of the ceremonies – one would find that members of other cultures also participate in the ceremonies.
It’s a tradition that has been bestowed by our ancestors and it’s pleasing to note that the younger generation are becoming fully involved in the promotion and continuation of Kavady and other cultural traditions. – ends (subrygovender@gmail.com)
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