The tribes of Blood Psalms

Set 11 thousand years ago, in ancient Africa, five tribes fled the fall of Atlantis: the proud and warlike Akachi, mystical rainmakers the Uchawi, the fierce nomadic Ku’ua, the strategic Great Nziwemabwe…and with them, the despised ones - the cursed, shapeshifting Chini. Over the years, they settled and rebuilt, guarding their cultures and traditions like a sacred flame. But the wheel is turning, and a new era of terror and destruction is about to dawn.

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Get to know some of the cast members:

Princess Zazi (Bokang Phelane)

A prophecy claims that disaster will strike the Akachi on the day of Princess Zazi’s 18th birthday. The Akachi Princess is the daughter of King Letsha (Mothusi Magano), and Ndiya Zazi (Hlubi Mboya) - a Chini servant who became the Uchawi Magi (their most powerful magic user). Zazi was raised by her nanny and fierce guardian, MaDlamini (Albert Ibokwe Khoza) in the royal quarters, surrounded by whispers about her fate.

King Letsha III (Mothusi Magano)

King Letsha has made a lifetime of terrible choices, including secretly sacrificing Zazi’s mother to fulfil a blood pact. He has grown deeply suspicious of all those around him, but with advisors like the Uchawi queen Assili and his uncle, Nkamanzu (Sello Maake kaNcube), it turns out that he is right. As Blood Psalms begins, King Letsha is preparing to take a new wife…and kill his daughter.

Queen Assili (Faith Baloyi)

Proud Queen Assili reigns over the Uchawi Council Of 12, an order of women with mystical powers. With her powers as a rainmaker drying up, Assili can feel her power over King Letsha drying up with them. In an effort to hold onto him, she offers up her only daughter Thozama (Tumie Ngumla) to him as a bride.

The Emissary (Thando Thabethe)

The green haired, black-eyed Emissary is a creature of cold flame and magic. The Emissary acts as a link between the Uchawi and those they favour, as well as the powers in the next world, especially Heka, god of medicine and magic. Summoned by sacrifice, the Emissary delivers uncomfortable prophecies and truths.

Buruti (Mandisa Nduna)

18-year-old Buruti of the Chini has lived her life underground in a cave system after the Chini matriarch and keeper of ancient secrets, Mother Superior (Fanisa Yisa) took her in as an orphan. Lately, she has begun to dream of a young woman and she is convinced that they are somehow linked. Buruti is curious by nature and convinced that there’s more to life outside the tribe.

Overseer Mzinzi (Thembekile Komani)

The son of the Mother Superior, Mzinzi strives to keep order among the Chini as their commander. He believes in rules, not rebels, and in keeping the Chini out of the clutches of the Akachi. He is a skilled warrior who’s starting to pull against Mother Superior’s authority.

Senator Abun Ra Jabari (Richard Lukunku)

The Great Nziwemabwe are at peace with the Akachi…for now. Think of them as Rome of ancient times. Senator Jabari leads the powerful Great Nziwemabwe Golden Army and he isn’t afraid to flex that power. More than a simple guest at the wedding, he has come to the Akachi citadel to demand that King Letsha return the lands in the North to the Great Nziwemabwe.

Sithenjwa (Zikhona Sodlaka)

18 Years ago, Sithenjwa fled the Akachi Kingdom after failing to assassinate King Letsha, leaving her infant daughter behind. Now she’s back, accompanying Senator Jabari as his consort. Sithenjwa has spent years positioning herself for this moment and she has two goals: to find her daughter, and to kill King Letsha.

Qotha (Hamilton Dlamini)

Qotha is responsible and level-headed. His father, the jolly Chief Xemantsho (Vusi Thanda) of the Ku’ua, made a peace pact with the Akachi, and Qotha would like to honour the agreement. Qotha’s wife, Lala (Soso Rungqu), on the other hand, is willing to go to any lengths to be queen. She is concerned that Qotha isn’t capable of taking over the chiefdom.

Hlengu (Bongile Mantsai)

Hlengu is Chief Xemantsho’s second son, but very clearly his favourite. Hlengu is looking for ways to unseat Qotha as Xemantsho’s heir, and unlike his diplomatic brother, he wants the Ku’ua to return to their full glory as warriors, ready to take whatever they like by force.

Onyo, Lord Of The Netherworld (Siv Ngesi)

Look past the filth and tortured, starving souls in the Akachi’s sacrificial pits, and there sits Lord Onyo, glowering alone. He has no tribe, no nation, and endless power, so why is he sitting in the dirt? Could he be waiting for the time of the harvest? Uh oh.

Watch Blood Psalms Season 1 Wednesdays, from 28 September on Showmax.

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