United Apostolic Church followers pray to both ancestors and Christian God at Fertility Caves

From: PhotoBlog

Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 1:44 AM

Subject: United Apostolic Church followers pray to both ancestors and Christian God at Fertility Caves

Kim Ludbrook / EPA

Members of the United Apostolic Church pray at the divine Fertility Caves deep in the Maloti Mountains near Clarens, South Africa, Dec. 14, 2011. The United Apostolic Church followers retain their traditional pre-Christian belief system of ancestor worship in parallel with their Christianity. At the Fertility Caves, the followers 'pray' to both the ancestors and Christian God. Living in the cave are various Sangoma's, or 'Witch doctors' who have been living in the caves for years and who appeal to the spirit world alongside the Christian beliefs of the United Apostolic Church followers.

Kim Ludbrook / EPA

Members of the United Apostolic Church pray at the divine Fertility Caves deep in the Maloti Mountains near Clarens, South Africa, Dec. 14, 2011.

Kim Ludbrook / EPA

Members of the United Apostolic Church pray at the divine Fertility Caves deep in the Maloti Mountains near Clarens, South Africa, Dec. 14, 2011.