With a current membership of nearly a million, the Church of the Nazarites (ibandla lamaNazaretha) was founded in 1910 by Isaiah Shembe (d. 1935) whose authority, power, and spectacular influences seem to overshadow, at times, the position of Christ in Nazarite doctrine and practice. Here young virgin maidens sit coved with sheets undergo a purification rite. They are terned the AmaNkosikazi group was pgotographed in the Eastern Free State Province of South Africa.

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Size: 5000px × 5000px 2.6cm × 2.6cm - 4800dpi
Location: South Africa, South Africa
Photo credit: © Obie Oberholzer / AfriPics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: africa, church, church nazarites, free state, girls, maidens, nazarites, religion, sect, virgins, south africa