''Isiguqo'' (

Zulu language Zulu ( ), or isiZulu as an endonym, is a Southern Bantu languages, Southern Bantu language of the Nguni languages, Nguni branch spoken in, and indigenous to, Southern Africa. Nguni dialects are regional or social varieties of the Nguni language, ...

: ''place for kneeling'') is a religious practice derived from the Zulu traditional religion. It originally refers to a kneeling place on a holy hill which is approached by crawling towards it, and where a profoundly dignified prayer is performed. It has been adapted by syncretic religious movements in

Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...

such as the

Nazareth Baptist Church The Nazareth Baptist Church (Alternatively called "The Nazarite Church" "iBandla lamaNazaretha") is the second largest African initiated church based in South Africa, founded in 1910. It reveres Shembe as a prophet sent by God to restore the te ...

, which uses this term to describe a kneeling prayer performed in times of hardship. In some Zionist churches, ''isiguqo'' manifests as a

prayer circle A prayer circle is most simply where participants join hands in a literal circle of prayer, often as part of a vigil. Informal prayer circles have been practiced for centuries. Their recent resurgence in popularity is frequently attributed to the ...

where dancing and healing takes place, and is regarded as a major form of worship. During the ceremony, members holding flags and staffs kneel reverently with their attention fixed on the preacher, who stands up positioned at the center of the circle.

References

See also