Day of the covenant
The holiday season is upon us, and regardless of your culture or beliefs, everyone has some family traditions about one holiday, celebration, or other special day. So, it's time to share! What special days do you celebrate? What traditions does your family hold? What is your favourite holiday? What are your favorite holiday memories? ====================
The story is told over and over, from father to son. The covenant from which a nation was born. A day of victory in the context of death of the multitude. "After suffering heavy losses at the hands of the warriors of the Zulu King Dingane (c1795-1840), a Voortrekker commando advanced against the former in December 1838. As it was evident that they would be faced by superior enemy numbers, the Voortrekkers were induced by AWJ Pretorius (1798-1853) and SA Cilliers (1801-1871) to enter into a covenant with God.". The agreement was simple. In exchange for victory the Boer people pledge the commitment of themselves and their children to keep that day as a sacred day, a Sabbath in remembrance and honour of God. The battle of blood river took place on 16 December 1838. The 470 Boer people with rifles won the battle against 15,000-20,000 Zulus with their traditional weapons. On the Boer side only 3 people were wounded (none killed) while over 3000 Zulus were killed. One can claim the victory was due to the more advanced weapons of the Boers.
The power and tactical war skills of the Zulus is evident in the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879. The British army faced similar odds against the Zulus with far superior weapons and was totally defeated by the Zulu warriors. The commemoration of this covenant always inspired Afrikaners of what is possible...and the battle became their own version of David and Goliath. Victory was given by God and therefore the day will be commemorated by the traditional Afrikaners. The victory was considered a miracle because the night was filled with mist and the Zulus did not attack during the night as was to be expected and it did not rain during the battle itself.
In 1949 the Voortrekker monument was opened in commemoration of those who fought this epic battle. The day gained additional significance in 1961, when the military wing of the African National Congress, Umkhonto we Sizwe (“Spear of the Nation”), chose the date to begin an armed conflict against the ruling government’s policy of apartheid. After 1994, in post-apartheid South Africa, it still remains a public holiday, even though it is now known as Day of Reconciliation. The holiday is now meant to foster a sense of national unity and racial harmony.
On 16 December traditional Afrikaners will come together for a service in which God is worshipped and praised. The story of the battle of blood river is told again. The rest of the day is kept in solemn respect like a Sabbath. Not a very fancy holiday, and also one with a bloody history yet indoctrinated from an early age into my mind as an Afrikaner boy. Although none of my parental line was at the battle, I know that one of Bertel Pedersen's (my sixth great grand father) sons did participate in the battle of Blood river. We remember that a few can have victory over the many if there is faith strong enough to carry you through the battle.
Other historical events associated with 16 December is The Boston Tea party, 1773.
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