[2] Many young Xhosa people have left behind cultural practices which involve ancestral worship or the involvement of ancestors as this is regarded as pagan worship within Christianity (Missionaries, Xhosa clergy and the suppression of traditional customs, 1995). However, many modern day self-professing Christians still practice their native cultural practices and respect their ancestral ties, while some refuse to have any connection with the Christian faith and hold fast solely to their ancestral heritage. (Church, 2002) (Magubane, 1998)
As stated, Christianity has had a major influence when it comes to Xhosa customs, although some have taken from the Christian religion and adapted their practices to complement their Xhosa way of life. Having influenced much concerning the culture, it would be only natural for Christianity to have also influenced the Xhosa marriage customs and practices. (Thompson, 2000)
