Indingilizi Yeqiniso
Truth & Bullets
The supernatural community of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal may be known for the prevalence of shapeshifters and monsters. But Durban and its provincial surroundings are even better known for its multicultural demographics that embraces African and European traditions. Indeed, even among the indigenous, humans willing to stand for their people and beliefs create a far stronger impression on the masses. Sangomas live and work alongside witch-smellers. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and pagan beliefs all thrive in the same community.
The people of Durban have their own strength. And a few groups borrow from that fortitude and challenge the monsters who threaten lives and progress.
Factions
Two of the most notable organizations of human “hunters” in Durban are associated with religious fervor. There are no Romani kumpaniyi in Durban, though a few of the Banjira family immigrated to Durban in years past. These few Roma are also usually Bagheera Kinfolk and so tend to associate with their shapeshifter family.
Arcanum
The Arcanum established a small chapterhouse in Durban around the turn-of-the-century. The chapterhouse is based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the heart of the Glenwood district of the city. Many members are also academics at the university who have maintained inconspicuousness by avoiding participation in their colleagues’ complaints about freedom of speech and academic responsibility.
Sanusi
The Indingilizi Yeqiniso (“Circle of Truth”) is an organization of sangomas who ascribe to the syncretionist faith of the Zion Christian Faith (sometimes referred to as Shembe after the founder). They are sangomas in the traditional sense, appealing still to Zulu customs and beliefs while adopting Christian beliefs of salvation and monastic ideals of asceticism. This particular group of Sanusi leaders represent several congregations across the province and meet to discuss the future of the faith but also the challenge confronting the spirituality of humans in the face of the genuine supernatural threats in the area. They are not active hunters per se but can easily rouse up tens of thousands, possibly millions, of indigenous people against any group that they determine is a threat to their religion or communities. At least one member has True Faith, and so the group is not easily manipulated by external forces. They meet once a season on holy days at the summit of Mount Nhlangakazi to discuss the ZCC’s future and any threats to it.
Sword of Luther
By contrast, an Inquisition-styled team works out of Durban itself. However, the Sword of Luther disavows the Society of Leopold, as has its Lutheran faith since the Reformation. These witch-hunters actually specialize in hunting “the curse of the moon” and are well-armed with silver. They call themselves the Kosbare Koeëls (“Precious Bullets”) and take the fight to shapeshifters and lycanthropes that threaten or attack the good people of Durban (regardless of their actual faith). They have met with some limited success against urban Garou and the Ratkin in Whoonga Park but have yet to dare the bush. They operate in secret out of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church located in Berea West (nearly dead-center of the city).
Special Events
Special events are annual (or more frequent) holidays or special ritual days that the main group or groups observe as a whole community. Attendance and participation are often expected of all members, and sometimes required.
Nhlangakazi Pilgrimage
In January of every year, many members of the fusion faith of Zion Christian Church make a pilgrimage up the side of Mt. Nhlangakazi. The Shembe gather in separate groups (married and unmarried, male and female), on their march up the side. Prayer, dancing, and feasting takes place over a period of seven days. The Indingilizi Yeqiniso and other Sanusi participate and often lead the activities.
Pinkster
This Pentecostal festival takes place in late spring (seven Sundays after Easter). In Afrikans tradition, participants engage in feasts, dancing, and merriment that spills out from churches into the local communities. The Lutherans in Durban, which include many converted indigenous people, add elements of cultural teasing—blacks mocking white culture in particular, exaggerating in subtle fashion the melodrama of colonial attitudes and behaviors. For the Sword of Luther in Durban, such fun is overseen carefully for signs of supernatural influence or impending assault. The Kosbare Koeëls has been punked before when it grew lax—never again!
“We are here as shepherds to protect the flock from the wolf, lion, and leopard.”
-- Bishop Rynold Botes, Bevelvoerder van Kosbare Koeëls
