4 SA JEWISH REPORT 19 - 26 March 2010
LIONEL SLIER
PHOTOGRAPH: ILAN OSSENDRYVER
THE HONOURABLE Abe Abrahamson, a stalwart of the
South African Jewish community, a former Rhodesian
Cabinet minister and in later years chairman of the board of
directors of SA Jewish Report in Johannesburg, passed
away on Shabbat March 13, after a long illness, at the age of
87. He was a fighter to the end - small in stature, but with a
heart the size of Table Mountain.
He relinquished his position as chairman of the board of
SAJR towards the end of last year due to his failing health
and was succeeded by Stanley Kaplan. The Hon Abe passionately
believed in the Jewish Report and the ethos it
espoused.
In 2004 Paul Clingman wrote a biography on
Abrahamson, with the intriguing title: “The Moon Can
Wait”. This was a reference to breaking the space barrier,
which was hailed at the time as such a great advance for
mankind. Abrahamson was invited to address a meeting of
the International Labour Organisation in Canada in 1961 -
the first ever Rhodesian to do so. In 1962 he told the ILO in
Geneva: “The moon can wait, but social justice cannot
tarry.”
Helen Suzman in 2003 wrote a foreword for the book: “He
may have become the Hon Abe (a title bestowed on him by
Queen Elizabeth), a minister holding three portfolios of
Labour, Housing and Social Welfare in the government of
Edgar Whitehead in Southern Rhodesia, and risen to
become deputy leader of the governing party, but he
remained a modest and committed man with liberal principles.”
She made mention of Abrahamson’s “deep aversion
to the doctrines of racial superiority”.
Abrahamson called himself “a progressive conservative”
who approached his hurdles “cerebrally rather than emotionally”.
The years 1958 to 1961 were to prove definitive in
Abrahamson’s political career. He played a prominent part
in the conference held at Lancaster House in London in 1960,
at which a new constitution was negotiated to meet the
demands of rising African nationalism and which envisaged
the handing over of power to a truly democratically elected
government in Rhodesia.
The constitution was accepted in a referendum held in
Southern Rhodesia in 1961, but in a general election the following
year the liberal Edgar Whitehead was ousted as
prime minister and the right-wing Rhodesian Front
emerged, first under Winston Field and then under Ian
Smith. Abrahamson was one of only a handful progressives
to retain his seat and they became the opposition in parliament
- but they could do nothing to prevent Ian Smith’s
Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965.
With opposition effectively silenced, UDI for Abrahamson
heralded the end of a political career which had begun in
1953, at the age of 31.
Abrahamson then became more active in business, first in
Rhodesia and later in South Africa, where he developed a
major industry in optical manufacture. In South Africa - as
had been the case in Rhodesia - Abrahamson became
immersed in Jewish affairs and was elected chairman of the
SA Zionist Federation in 1991. He was a man who rose to the
top of every organisation in which he became involved,
either as president or chairman. His curriculum vitae reads
like a summary of Jewish institutions throughout southern
Africa.
Rabbi Yossi Chaikin of Oxford Shul, who had known
Abrahamson for 12 years, conducted the funeral service. He
told of how Abrahamson had compiled a book of photographs
of his family and forebears - again with the aid of
Clingman. The book was due to be published within days of
Abrahamson’s passing. In fact, Abrahamson, when he was
admitted to hospital, showed Rabbi Chaikin the draft. He
was determined to leave something “of worth” behind.
Rabbi Chaikin pointed out that Abrahamson was successful
in three areas: as a businessman, as a Jew and as a community
leader.
At the Abrahamson residence, after the funeral, Rabbi
Avraham Tanzer spoke of Abrahamson as “a man small in
stature, but a giant”. He also mentioned how much
Abrahamson loved people. He was always surrounded by
people.
Beyachad in Rouxville, Johannesburg, the hub of all
Jewish organisations in the city, has a reception/lecture
hall named after Abrahamson, thus ensuring he will never
be forgotten by the community he served with such loyalty
and dedication.
Abraham Eliezer Abrahamson was born in Bulawayo in
1922 to Leah and Morris, immigrants from Eastern Europe.
He went to the prestigious Milton School and furthered his
education at the University of Cape Town where he read
law. At the university he was on the committee of the Zionist
Youth Society and was head of the Students’ Jewish Society.
He was secretary of Cape Town NUSAS (National Union of
SA Students) and also president of the debating society.
When he finished his studies he joined the Rhodesian
army and after his army service went into his father’s business.
Out of uniform he became chairman of the Chovevei Zion
group. At the age of 35 he became president of the
Rhodesian Board of Deputies.
He went into politics in Rhodesia and when just 30 he was
elected to Parliament as an MP for the United Federal Party.
In business in Rhodesia he was president of the Bulawayo
Chamber of Industries as well as president of the
Federation of Rhodesian Industries, and after Federation he
was the chairman of the Federal Council for Industries.
As a Cabinet minister, between 1960 and 1962 he was in the
forefront of removing all discriminatory legislation from
the Statute Book. However, when the Rhodesian Front came
to power in the next election soon thereafter, what he had
instigated came to naught.
When Abrahamson and his wife, Anita, left for South
Africa in 1986, Dr Bernie Tatz, vice-president of the Central
African Jewish Board of Deputies spoke of the esteem in
which the couple were held. Abrahamson had been a member
of the Board for over 40 years, 17 of them as president.
In 1989 he was made honorary life member of the Central
African Zionist Organisation.
By 1986 in South Africa, he was a member of the SA
Zionist Federation executive. Three years later he was senior
vice-chairman and by 1991 he was chairman and in 1994,
president. In 1998 he was made an honorary life president.
Abrahamson was unmovable in his concern for the South
African Jewish community and its support for Israel.
In 1993, at the SA Board of Deputies’ conference, he said:
“There can be no dichotomy between a Jew and a Zionist.
We are one people with one destiny and Israel is central to
our lives.
“Our local institutions and our links to Israel - religious,
historic, cultural, social and national - all make up the whole
Jew and it is our joy and constant concern to ensure the continuation
of that totality.”
Abrahamson was a family man par excellence, spending
his life passionately committed to his wife, Anita, his three
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The late Solly Yellin, a prominent member of the South
African Jewish community, once said: “The Honourable
Abe Abrahamson is entitled to a seat at the Western Wall.”
This small man in stature, who would take on anyone in a
cause he believed in, will be sorely missed. He is mourned by
the Jewish community in South Africa and by the wider
Jewish community. We salute a great man.
Small in stature, but
with the heart of a lion
Community leader, businessman, politician and family patriarch - Abe
Abrahamson, former chairman of the SA Jewish Report, who passed away
last Saturday, had been all of these and more in his long and rich life.
Personal tributes to Hon Abe Abrahamson
Gill Marcus
Governor of the South African Reserve Bank:
“It is with a deep sense of loss that I learned of the passing
of Abe Abrahamson. I have had the privilege of interacting
with Abe over a number of years, particularly
through Jewish Achievers.
“His passion, commitment and service to the community
was a hallmark of the man who gave so generously of
his time and ideas. Abe will be sorely missed. I wish his
family long life in this difficult time.”
Rebbetzen Ann Harris
Widow of the late Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris:
“How sad I am for Abe’s family, but at the same time, how
proud they must feel with all the memories of such a special
husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“All of us who knew Abe as a friend and colleague loved
and respected him and were privileged to be a part, in
some small way, of his monumental achievements in
South Africa and Zimbabwe, for the Zionist Federation,
for the Board of Deputies and for the Jewish Report,
indeed for our community as a whole.
“We are all the poorer for his passing.”
She added that ours is a community fortunately rich in
young leadership who are able to instil a lot of confidence,
and that Abe had the wisdom and dignity to step aside for
them.
Stan Kaplan
Chairman of the board of the SA Jewish Report:
“The most important characteristic of Abe Abrahamson
that stood out was his ability to care for the well-being of
everyone.
“My own relationship with him began as a colleague on
the Jewish Report’s board; it turned into a warm and very
great friendship. Abe did not discriminate - he was able to
overlook shortcomings.
“We all could learn what human behaviour should be
from a man like Abe. He was genuinely interested in other
people, not out of a sense of obligation. I feel privileged to
have had him as a friend and will miss him so much.”
Ilan Baruch
Former Israeli ambassador to South Africa:
“Abe was a man of high regard to all, of deep respect to
most, of personal friendship to many and invaluable individual
guidance to several. I owe Abe the success of my
assignment as Ambassador of Israel to South Africa.
“There is no argument over the fact that the relations
between our two countries are uniquely complex. It is not
a secret that pitfalls are many on the road the
Ambassador of our country in South Africa needs to take.
“I arrived in Pretoria on a Monday. Tuesday morning
Abe was at the embassy. Day one, I received from him the
inspiration I needed for the entire posting of three years.
“Abe was a dear and unique friend, my mentor and
guide on South African Jewish community affairs.
Zev Krengel
National chairman of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies:
“What a stalwart to our community Abe was. The work he
did to protect and grow us was invaluable and we are so
grateful that we were able to honour him during his lifetime
by naming our boardroom for him, which we did late
last year. Abe had amazing composure. He was truly a
man for the community.”
Avrom Krengel
Chairman of the SA Zionist Federation:
“Abe was an absolutely wonderful man and an utter gentleman,
an elder statesman and mentor to the whole community.
“I was 32 when I took over chairmanship of the Zionist
Federation and he was wonderful in the help and guidance
he gave me over the years.
“I always referred to him as the Jewish Renaissance
man - in all the key areas of life he excelled - in business,
politics and family, and the way in which he and Geoff
(Sifrin) built up the Jewish Report to be such a vital community
aspect to reflect who we are today, attests to this.”
Reeva Forman
Chairman of the Israel Now Tour and vice-chairman of the
SAZF, member of the SAJBD:
“It was such a great honour to work with a man of his
integrity. His commitment to the welfare of Jews, not only
in South Africa but further afield; to Zionism and Israel
was legendary.
“Abe was always able to see a clear moral path through
conflict. I can only compare his greatness to that of the
late Mendel Kaplan - men of this calibre give 100 per cent
to the community, 100 per cent to Israel and 100 per cent to
family.
“So often, power and the achievement of accolades can
go to a person’s head, but this was never the case with
Abe. He was a giant.”
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Abe Abrahamson - a man with a smile who kept striding
Editorial - The SAJewish Report - www.sajewisreport.co.za
Abe Abrahamson - a man with a smile who kept striding
A person’s essence cannot be distilled into a few words. But certain phrases can point in the right direction. About Abe Abrahamson, former chairman of the Jewish Report’s board, who died on Saturday, a “profound sense of balance” would be fitting - between the deadly serious versus the hilarious and ironic; the intimacy of family versus the worldliness of business; the individual domain versus public, community involvement; and personal morality versus the “public morality” of politics.
Abe was the patriarch of a huge family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and equally, the consummate “man-of the world” in business, politics and community life.
We at the Jewish Report knew him since 1998, when he was part of the initial founding committee of the paper; for many years he was chairman, resigning in late 2009, when Stan Kaplan took over. His impeccable balance was always there: board meetings would be conducted with the utmost seriousness, but at the end of them, out would come a bottle of whisky and those present would spend a relaxed half-hour chatting about anything and everything.
Abe was the perfect chairman for a newspaper - strong and clear in his vision, yet with a profound respect for its editorial independence. He never attempted to bully the paper into carrying particular articles to his liking and understood that a newspaper is a living, breathing, robust thing, hard to keep up with.
It demands a personal relationship, a love affair with its readers - which can be tempestuous at times. Abe had that connection with the paper, but also brought a calmness, an ability to see the big picture - the wood, not just the trees.
A serious paper covering a wide spectrum of issues, news and open debate will inevitably sometimes enter turbulent waters and be attacked from various quarters when people, for their own reasons, may object to part of the content.
There may be attempts to control it or, in extreme cases, even shut it down - as we have certainly experienced. Abe was always outraged at these attempts. He believed passionately in the importance of the media’s independence. He was always ready to jump to the Jewish Report’s defence, as long as it stuck to its mandate of serving Jewry as a whole with quality content. “You can’t please everyone,” he would say, “nor should you try to.”
Abe’s infirmity eventually forced him to resign as chairman of the newspaper’s board, to the sadness of its members. But, true to his dignity and impeccable sense of duty, he did not simply send a letter to the board informing them of his decision: at the next meeting, he arrived in a suit and tie and was helped up the stairs to the boardroom. He sat down in his chairman’s seat and went through the agenda methodically until it came to the relevant item, then announced his resignation.
He loved a glass of whisky, particularly combined with a chat about something interesting. By an ironic twist of fate, after arriving in South Africa from (then) Rhodesia, Abe and his wife Anita lived for many years within 100 metres of a major outlet of a well-known whisky company on Oxford Road, Johannesburg, where a huge banner portrays an image of the “striding man”. At Abe’s funeral, the rabbi commented with a sorrowful smile that Abe was the ultimate “striding man”. With his passion for life and his intelligent, open mind, he “kept walking” until the last.
On Monday, when he was extremely frail, I asked if I could visit him. “Yes!” said Abe with a “twinkle” in his voice. “Come tomorrow. I’ll have a drink waiting for you!”
The next day he was too ill for visitors. Those last words epitomised him - despite his frailness, he projected a smile to the world and an invitation for a “l’chaim!” with a glass of wine or whisky. A gracious and welcoming host, an astute businessman, a man of immense integrity, insight and wisdom, Abe was not just a man, but a mensch for all seasons with a giant heart and giant vision.
We salute him.
Geoff Sifrin
Editor
Abe Abrahamson - a man with a smile who kept striding
A person’s essence cannot be distilled into a few words. But certain phrases can point in the right direction. About Abe Abrahamson, former chairman of the Jewish Report’s board, who died on Saturday, a “profound sense of balance” would be fitting - between the deadly serious versus the hilarious and ironic; the intimacy of family versus the worldliness of business; the individual domain versus public, community involvement; and personal morality versus the “public morality” of politics.
Abe was the patriarch of a huge family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and equally, the consummate “man-of the world” in business, politics and community life.
We at the Jewish Report knew him since 1998, when he was part of the initial founding committee of the paper; for many years he was chairman, resigning in late 2009, when Stan Kaplan took over. His impeccable balance was always there: board meetings would be conducted with the utmost seriousness, but at the end of them, out would come a bottle of whisky and those present would spend a relaxed half-hour chatting about anything and everything.
Abe was the perfect chairman for a newspaper - strong and clear in his vision, yet with a profound respect for its editorial independence. He never attempted to bully the paper into carrying particular articles to his liking and understood that a newspaper is a living, breathing, robust thing, hard to keep up with.
It demands a personal relationship, a love affair with its readers - which can be tempestuous at times. Abe had that connection with the paper, but also brought a calmness, an ability to see the big picture - the wood, not just the trees.
A serious paper covering a wide spectrum of issues, news and open debate will inevitably sometimes enter turbulent waters and be attacked from various quarters when people, for their own reasons, may object to part of the content.
There may be attempts to control it or, in extreme cases, even shut it down - as we have certainly experienced. Abe was always outraged at these attempts. He believed passionately in the importance of the media’s independence. He was always ready to jump to the Jewish Report’s defence, as long as it stuck to its mandate of serving Jewry as a whole with quality content. “You can’t please everyone,” he would say, “nor should you try to.”
Abe’s infirmity eventually forced him to resign as chairman of the newspaper’s board, to the sadness of its members. But, true to his dignity and impeccable sense of duty, he did not simply send a letter to the board informing them of his decision: at the next meeting, he arrived in a suit and tie and was helped up the stairs to the boardroom. He sat down in his chairman’s seat and went through the agenda methodically until it came to the relevant item, then announced his resignation.
He loved a glass of whisky, particularly combined with a chat about something interesting. By an ironic twist of fate, after arriving in South Africa from (then) Rhodesia, Abe and his wife Anita lived for many years within 100 metres of a major outlet of a well-known whisky company on Oxford Road, Johannesburg, where a huge banner portrays an image of the “striding man”. At Abe’s funeral, the rabbi commented with a sorrowful smile that Abe was the ultimate “striding man”. With his passion for life and his intelligent, open mind, he “kept walking” until the last.
On Monday, when he was extremely frail, I asked if I could visit him. “Yes!” said Abe with a “twinkle” in his voice. “Come tomorrow. I’ll have a drink waiting for you!”
The next day he was too ill for visitors. Those last words epitomised him - despite his frailness, he projected a smile to the world and an invitation for a “l’chaim!” with a glass of wine or whisky. A gracious and welcoming host, an astute businessman, a man of immense integrity, insight and wisdom, Abe was not just a man, but a mensch for all seasons with a giant heart and giant vision.
We salute him.
Geoff Sifrin
Editor
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Lost Jewish tribe 'found in Zimbabwe'
Lost Jewish tribe 'found in Zimbabwe'
By Steve Vickers
BBC News, Harare
The Lemba people of Zimbabwe and South Africa may look like their compatriots, but they follow a very different set of customs and traditions.
They do not eat pork, they practise male circumcision, they ritually slaughter their animals, some of their men wear skull caps and they put the Star of David on their gravestones.
Their oral traditions claim that their ancestors were Jews who fled the Holy Land about 2,500 years ago.
It may sound like another myth of a lost tribe of Israel, but British scientists have carried out DNA tests which have confirmed their Semitic origin.
These tests back up the group's belief that a group of perhaps seven men married African women and settled on the continent. The Lemba, who number perhaps 80,000, live in central Zimbabwe and the north of South Africa.
And they also have a prized religious artefact that they say connects them to their Jewish ancestry - a replica of the Biblical Ark of the Covenant known as the ngoma lungundu, meaning "the drum that thunders".
The object went on display recently at a Harare museum to much fanfare, and instilled pride in many of the Lemba.
"For me it's the starting point," says religious singer Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave.
According to Genticists the Lemba women do not have Jewish DNA
"Very few people knew about us and this is the time to come out. I'm very proud to realise that we have a rich culture and I'm proud to be a Lemba.
"We have been a very secretive people, because we believe we are a special people."
Religion vs culture
The Lemba have many customs and regulations that tally with Jewish tradition.
They wear skull caps, practise circumcision, which is not a tradition for most Zimbabweans, avoid eating pork and food with animal blood, and have 12 tribes.
“ Many people say that the story is far-fetched, but the oral traditions of the Lemba have been backed up by science ”
Tudor Parfitt University of London
They slaughter animals in the same way as Jewish people, and they put the Jewish Star of David on their tombstones.
Members of the priestly clan of the Lemba, known as the Buba, were even discovered to have a genetic element also found among the Jewish priestly line.
"This was amazing," said Prof Tudor Parfitt, from the University of London.
"It looks as if the Jewish priesthood continued in the West by people called Cohen, and in same way it was continued by the priestly clan of the Lemba.
"They have a common ancestor who geneticists say lived about 3,000 years ago somewhere in north Arabia, which is the time of Moses and Aaron when the Jewish priesthood started."
Prof Parfitt is a world-renowned expert, having spent 20 years researching the Lemba, and living with them for six months.
The Lemba have a sacred prayer language which is a mixture of Hebrew and Arabic, pointing to their roots in Israel and Yemen.
Despite their ties to Judaism, many of the Lemba in Zimbabwe are Christians, while some are Muslims.
"Christianity is my religion, and Judaism is my culture," explains Perez Hamandishe, a pastor and member of parliament from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Many people say that the story is far-fetched, but the oral traditions of the Lemba have been backed up by science - Tudor Parfitt University of London
Despite their centuries-old traditions, some younger Lemba are taking a more liberal view.
"In the old days you didn't marry a non-Lemba, but these days we interact with others," says Alex Makotore, son of the late Chief Mposi from the Lemba "headquarters" in Mberengwa.
"I feel special in my heart but not in front of others such that I'm separated from them. Culture is dynamic."
Crowds
The oral traditions of the Lemba say that the ngoma lungundu is the Biblical wooden Ark made by Moses, and that centuries ago a small group of men began a long journey carrying it from Yemen to southern Africa.
“ Hearing from those professors in Harare and seeing the ngoma makes it clear that we are a great people and I'm very proud ”
David Maramwidze Lemba elder
The object went missing during the 1970s and was eventually rediscovered in Harare in 2007 by Prof Parfitt.
"Many people say that the story is far-fetched, but the oral traditions of the Lemba have been backed up by science," he says.
Carbon dating shows the ngoma to be nearly 700 years old - pretty ancient, if not as old as Bible stories would suggest.
But Prof Parfitt says this is because the ngoma was used in battles, and would explode and be rebuilt.
The ngoma now on display was a replica, he says, possibly built from the remains of the original.
"So it's the closest descendant of the Ark that we know of," Prof Parfitt says.
Large crowds came to see the unveiling of the ngoma and to attend lectures on the identity of the Lemba.
For David Maramwidze, an elder in his village, the discovery of the ngoma has been a defining moment.
"Hearing from those professors in Harare and seeing the ngoma makes it clear that we are a great people and I'm very proud," he says.
"I heard about it all my life and it was hard for me to believe, because I had no idea of what it really is.
"I'm still seeing the picture of the ngoma in my mind and it will never come out from my brain. Now we want it to be given back to the Lemba people."
To hear more about the Lemba people, listen to the BBC World Service
programme on Saturday 6 March at 0830 GMT.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8550614.stm
Published: 2010/03/08 11:15:10 GMT
© BBC MMX
Print Sponsor
By Steve Vickers
BBC News, Harare
The Lemba people of Zimbabwe and South Africa may look like their compatriots, but they follow a very different set of customs and traditions.
They do not eat pork, they practise male circumcision, they ritually slaughter their animals, some of their men wear skull caps and they put the Star of David on their gravestones.
Their oral traditions claim that their ancestors were Jews who fled the Holy Land about 2,500 years ago.
It may sound like another myth of a lost tribe of Israel, but British scientists have carried out DNA tests which have confirmed their Semitic origin.
These tests back up the group's belief that a group of perhaps seven men married African women and settled on the continent. The Lemba, who number perhaps 80,000, live in central Zimbabwe and the north of South Africa.
And they also have a prized religious artefact that they say connects them to their Jewish ancestry - a replica of the Biblical Ark of the Covenant known as the ngoma lungundu, meaning "the drum that thunders".
The object went on display recently at a Harare museum to much fanfare, and instilled pride in many of the Lemba.
"For me it's the starting point," says religious singer Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave.
According to Genticists the Lemba women do not have Jewish DNA
"Very few people knew about us and this is the time to come out. I'm very proud to realise that we have a rich culture and I'm proud to be a Lemba.
"We have been a very secretive people, because we believe we are a special people."
Religion vs culture
The Lemba have many customs and regulations that tally with Jewish tradition.
They wear skull caps, practise circumcision, which is not a tradition for most Zimbabweans, avoid eating pork and food with animal blood, and have 12 tribes.
“ Many people say that the story is far-fetched, but the oral traditions of the Lemba have been backed up by science ”
Tudor Parfitt University of London
They slaughter animals in the same way as Jewish people, and they put the Jewish Star of David on their tombstones.
Members of the priestly clan of the Lemba, known as the Buba, were even discovered to have a genetic element also found among the Jewish priestly line.
"This was amazing," said Prof Tudor Parfitt, from the University of London.
"It looks as if the Jewish priesthood continued in the West by people called Cohen, and in same way it was continued by the priestly clan of the Lemba.
"They have a common ancestor who geneticists say lived about 3,000 years ago somewhere in north Arabia, which is the time of Moses and Aaron when the Jewish priesthood started."
Prof Parfitt is a world-renowned expert, having spent 20 years researching the Lemba, and living with them for six months.
The Lemba have a sacred prayer language which is a mixture of Hebrew and Arabic, pointing to their roots in Israel and Yemen.
Despite their ties to Judaism, many of the Lemba in Zimbabwe are Christians, while some are Muslims.
"Christianity is my religion, and Judaism is my culture," explains Perez Hamandishe, a pastor and member of parliament from the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Many people say that the story is far-fetched, but the oral traditions of the Lemba have been backed up by science - Tudor Parfitt University of London
Despite their centuries-old traditions, some younger Lemba are taking a more liberal view.
"In the old days you didn't marry a non-Lemba, but these days we interact with others," says Alex Makotore, son of the late Chief Mposi from the Lemba "headquarters" in Mberengwa.
"I feel special in my heart but not in front of others such that I'm separated from them. Culture is dynamic."
Crowds
The oral traditions of the Lemba say that the ngoma lungundu is the Biblical wooden Ark made by Moses, and that centuries ago a small group of men began a long journey carrying it from Yemen to southern Africa.
“ Hearing from those professors in Harare and seeing the ngoma makes it clear that we are a great people and I'm very proud ”
David Maramwidze Lemba elder
The object went missing during the 1970s and was eventually rediscovered in Harare in 2007 by Prof Parfitt.
"Many people say that the story is far-fetched, but the oral traditions of the Lemba have been backed up by science," he says.
Carbon dating shows the ngoma to be nearly 700 years old - pretty ancient, if not as old as Bible stories would suggest.
But Prof Parfitt says this is because the ngoma was used in battles, and would explode and be rebuilt.
The ngoma now on display was a replica, he says, possibly built from the remains of the original.
"So it's the closest descendant of the Ark that we know of," Prof Parfitt says.
Large crowds came to see the unveiling of the ngoma and to attend lectures on the identity of the Lemba.
For David Maramwidze, an elder in his village, the discovery of the ngoma has been a defining moment.
"Hearing from those professors in Harare and seeing the ngoma makes it clear that we are a great people and I'm very proud," he says.
"I heard about it all my life and it was hard for me to believe, because I had no idea of what it really is.
"I'm still seeing the picture of the ngoma in my mind and it will never come out from my brain. Now we want it to be given back to the Lemba people."
To hear more about the Lemba people, listen to the BBC World Service
programme on Saturday 6 March at 0830 GMT.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8550614.stm
Published: 2010/03/08 11:15:10 GMT
© BBC MMX
Print Sponsor
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