Among the Surma people in Ethiopia, marriage is usually arranged after a stick fighting contest in which young men thrash each other mercilessly with sticks to prove their readiness to become husbands. These rituals are significant to Africans as they mark the important stages that every person goes through in life and the societal expectations of the individual during each stage. Initiation Practices. In present-day KwaZulu-Natal, these rites were abandoned in favour of age-grade regiments in the lead up to the rise to power, in the early 19th century, of the first Zulu king, Shaka. Dancing with the dead in Madagascar. When the time approaches for the birth, the liminal phase of the ritual begins. Wodaabe women are allowed to marry more than one husband. Rites of passage, such as coming-out rituals, weddings and burials, are performed in the yards of homesteads. Other tribes in Nigeria bury their dead alongside spears, shields, pans, and pots to ensure they’ll have all they need in the afterlife. Professor Peter Mtuze, of South Africa's Rhodes University, said it was a "relatively new" problem - but that the rites themselves had been central to the passage from boyhood to manhood for generations. While some tribes believe death is the end of a person’s journey through life, others believe that those who’ve passed on are simply resting. This explains why Zulu-speaking men never participate in the circumcision rites that are still commonly practiced among other South African communities. They also play a role in drawing attention both to the individual's emergence from childhood and the assumption of responsibilities associated with adult life. Google Classroom Facebook Twitter. This rite of passage is one of the most important Masai festivals - it marks the coming of age of Masai boys who are 12-25 years old. Submit, October 25, 2016 at 01:02 pm | Uncategorized. The Okuyi (plural: Mekuyo, also known as Ukuyi, Ocuya, Mokoi, Mukudj, Ikwara, Okukwe and Mbwanda, in Equatorial Guinea (Spanish): Mamarracho) is a rite of passage practised by several Bantu ethnic groups in different countries mainly across the west coast of Central Africa.Some of the countries where the rite is exercised include Cameroon in West Central Africa, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. This has happened to Africa when missionaries landed on the shores of our land. Children are an important part of African society as they are seen as the custodians of the traditions of their people. While most of these rites of passage share a great deal of resemblance and tradition, the style of celebration varies according to one’s ethnic group. The Wodaabe people of Niger avoid naming the child until his or her 12th birthday with the hopes that the child won’t be identified by the spirit of death. Rites of passage have value for both the individual and the community. Themes and issues in the art of Africa. The traditional surgeon is referred to as “ingcibi.”. Among the AmaXhosa people of South Africa, male circumcision is referred to as “ulwaluko.” It is considered a teachable moment that prepares boys for the enormous responsibilities of manhood. An important function of initiation is to bond age groups together, and to distinguish them from other age groups. In Zambia, the Lunda people refer to the rite of passage as “mukanda.” It is considered the most powerful, awe-inspiring experience that every man must go through. Ceremonies of South Africa Marking Transitions Through Rites of Passage. 4 All the stages are laced with rituals, symbols, and processes that contribute to the psychological and social elements of the transition. In the past, many African communities practiced female circumcision, which has since been criminalized in many countries across the continent. At the conclusion of the rites, the initiate is allowed to become sexually active and to begin the protracted process of engagement and marriage. For boys, circumcision is almost unanimous across the continent. Following the initiation ceremony, the initiates are taken to a secluded place away from their homes, where they spend at least eight days recovering. We are a leading provider of evidenced-based, trauma-responsive, and innovative services that span a continuum of care and are as unique as the individuals we serve. While Westernization may have eroded the majority of traditional African marriage practices, some communities still practice them. He is also an avid blogger, political commentator and human rights crusader. All Rights Reserved. The first was his incorporation into a regiment, or ibutho, which could involve as many as 10 years of service to the king. In Namibia, the Himba people never leave the newborn child on its own or even put him or her down for fear that it may be stolen by some malicious spirits. Photo Credit: Pinterest. Rites of passage Birth ceremonies were simple family affairs. In Zambia, the Lunda people refer to the rite of passage as “ mukanda .”. Other communities believe that the spirits of the dead are always watching over them. Imagine sitting down with your girlfriend’s dad to ask for his daughter’s hand … In chapter one, Pregnancy rites was one of the rites of passage. The second was the sewing on of the isicoco or head-ring, which signified the attainment of … From birth to death, these rites of passage regulate and give expression to meaningful changes in people's lives. Photo Credit: Daily Uganda. It is considered the most powerful, awe-inspiring experience that every man must go through. Each year, around this time, young men in several South African ethnic groups participate in this traditional rite of passage. Among other southern African groups, there was a revival of interest in initiation rites in the course of the 1990s. Some 150 years ago or more, all southern African chiefdoms and Khoi-san peoples observed initiation practices to prepare the youth, male and female, for their future roles in adult society. Although different communities celebrate this rite of passage differently, it involves the removal of foreskin from a boy’s penis and is often done by village elders who use the ritual as an opportunity to pass down key traditions to younger generations. The initiates are called “abakhwetham,” which means a learning group. First, the boys must give away everything that they own. Often, many community members attend the burial to … He worked as a web content writer for various local and international corporations including 4 Wheel Online, Web Partner Group, Wedding Services Kenya, and Decadent Daylilies. Cloth Wrapping. Although some tribes still practice female genital mutilation, many have adopted new practices that are less harmful to girls. Then, on the day of the ceremony, the boys shave their heads and paint their faces with white chalk. In Africa, marriage is an important affair that many communities consider as an invaluable spiritual experience. There exist five 5 major rites: birth, adulthood, marriage, eldership, and ancestorship. The tribe is popular for its traditional seven-day festival known as “yaki,” where men decorate themselves and dance in hopes of attracting the attention of a potential mate. As the child grows up, he or she has to be initiated into adulthood through a circumcision ritual. The significant role of rites of passage in African traditional religion: an enquiry basis for Christian mission field in South Africa It is common that when people find themselves out of their peripheral line they view that which is out of their scope negatively. Hamar Cow Jumping. Aesthetics. This disparity in belief highlights the diverse ways in which different African communities handle the deceased. For over 35 years, Rite of Passage has provided programs, services and direct resources that empower youth and families to succeed in the community and within their own lives. However, there are also rites for conception, moving into adolescence, divorce, or moving into one’s career. Musangwe (South Africa) The Venda Tribe in northern South Africa have practiced this tradition for centuries. Search ©Dr Peter Magubane. Across the world, communities mark major transitions in life through... Age-grade Regiments v. Initiation Practices. Each girl selects her favorite fighter in the contest and sends him indirect messages through friends and relatives to express her interest. South Africa Online (Pty) Ltd. SouthAfrica.co.za. Rites of passage. Since male circumcision practices are delayed until men are in their late teens or early twenties among groups like the Tswana, Sotho, Xhosa and Ndebele, it is especially these ceremonies that are attracting increasing numbers of outsiders. Madaraka Day: Celebrating self-rule in Kenya, Top 5 African countries that have controlled HIV/AIDS, Looking back at the wins and losses of Africa’s first elected female president, 5 Most Influential African Queens in History, 7 Most Fascinating Traditional African Baby Naming Ceremonies, Antiquated Beliefs Derail African Women’s Path to Equality, African Traditions Online Encyclopedia Could Challenge Wikipedia. Maasai warriors during an initiation ceremony. Email. Here it made mention of the different ways, of how pregnant woman are subjected to one taboos or the other in various towns in Africa including my area, Ika North East Local Government, Area of … Xhosa people (/ ˈ k ɔː s ə, ˈ k oʊ s ə /; Xhosa pronunciation: [kǁʰɔ́ːsa] ()) are a Nguni ethnic group in Southern Africa whose homeland is primarily within the modern-day Eastern Cape.There is a small but significant Xhosa-speaking community in Zimbabwe, and their language, isiXhosa, is recognised as a national language.The Xhosa Nation is made up of two sub tribes. Business Insider SSA takes a look at some of these painful rites of passage rituals that existed (and in some cases still exist) in Africa: Male circumcision (South Africa) Women who are beautiful, hardworking, and cheerful are often the first selected as wives. A men-only crowd gathers in wooded areas and form a circle. Until the late 18th century all chiefdoms in southern Africa observed initiation practices to prepare young people for their roles in adult society. Rites of passage, according to Van Gennep, always involve a separation from the old stage of life, an in-between or liminal stage where instruction and rituals take place, and a reincorporation back into community. Submit, © 2011- 2021 Pana Genius. Specifying the contrasting stages of an individual's development; as well as their relationship and role in the community. Initiation is still practised among both males and females in Ndebele society, marking the passage from childhood to adult status. From time immemorial, African communities have always marked the transition of a person’s life cycle from the day they are born to the day they die. In urban settings, parents prefer to take their boys to professional medical doctors for the procedure. There are five major African initiation rites which are fundamental to human growth and development. A Himba woman from Namibia kisses her infant. The pregnant w… Female Ntwana initiates during the coming-out ceremony. Fredrick is a Kenyan journalist with years of experience in freelance writing. It involves … Photo Credit: YouTube. Face2Face Africa is black owned and operated. From time to time, initiation schools also attract the offspring of families who now live abroad. A Revealing documentary about a unique tool that can help people overcome life hurdles such as drug dependency or other forms of addictive behavior. In this workshop, Brother Zola, a Traditional Sangoma Healer from South Africa, will help us: All Rights Reserved. Two further rites of passage had to be performed before this was possible. A male Xhosa initiate. Girls who are ready to get married sit around and watch their potential mates cane one another into submission. By Dr. Christa Clarke, for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. In contrast to this, initiation tends to coincide with the transition to puberty among groups like the Pedi and Bantwane. Partly for this reason, it has become increasingly common for these ceremonies to include participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds. After the birth, both parents fasted for a few days and observed food taboos. Rites of passage. Couvade was practiced; that is, the father stayed in the hut several days, mimicking labour, while relatives and friends provided essential needs. In most African communities, wedding ceremonies involve feasting, animal sacrifice, dancing, and blessings. Some of the girls got to travel with their mothers in addition to program mentors. Among the Yoruba people in Nigeria, the dead are buried with a horde of items including food, clothes, and fowls. All pictures are turned to face the wall while all mirrors, windows, and reflective surfaces are covered to ensure the dead can’t view them. Religion and the Spiritual Realm. And while South Africa has taken steps to tackle the problem, by registering practitioners, the number of deaths continues to worry many. Form and meaning. Although most ceremonies of this kind are generally conducted by the male heads of households, the family’s ancestors usually communicate their desires and concerns to their descendants through the mediation of ritual specialists commonly known as izangoma among Zulu-speaking communities and amgqirha among their Xhosa-speaking neighbours. Enter email address to receive updates from Face2face Africa The Lunda people are very proud of the mukanda custom and any man who has come of age and is uncircumcised is considered a woman. The person’s bed is also removed from their bedroom and a night vigil is held in his house by relatives and friends. Initiation rites are a natural and necessary part of a community, as are arms and legs natural and necessary … Among the Wodaabe people in Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria, women select their preferred husbands and lovers. After the room is cleaned thoroughly, no one is allowed into it until the mother is nearing the time for the delivery. Throughout the region, this aim is achieved above all by appeasing and paying homage to the ancestors. In Africa, marriage is quite an important rite of passage that many communities consider an ‘invaluable spiritual experience’. Across the world, communities mark major transitions in life through celebrations and ceremonies. In Senegal, Bassari boys undergoing the Koré rite are taken into a sacred forest where they experience a symbolic death and a simulated return to infancy, a state of ritual purity from which they are reborn as mature members of the community. Photo Credit: Nigeriana. Most of the 9 million Zulu-speakers in South Africa reside in this province or have migrated initially from this province to other provinces in South Africa. Art and Politics. In keeping with this trend, young people from urban areas often participate in ceremonies organized by rural chiefs and ritual specialists. These rites were originally established by African ancestors while they were living in order to link the individual to the community and the community to the broader and more potent spiritual world. The Rites of Passage Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) by Aram von Benedikt - Saturday, June 20, 2020. Initiation of Healers and Ritual Specialists. This constitutes the separation phase, which involves women preparing the room by polishing the floor with cow dung. At some unknown date in the past, the Xhosa chiefdom adopted circumcision as the principal form of male initiation, possibly from a Sotho source, and it has … In South Africa, special rituals are performed at the deceased person’s home before burial. The planning for this ceremony itself takes two months. Rites of Passage on the Sands of Africa. The human figure, animals and symbols. A traditional Zulu wedding in South Africa. In Kenya, a number of communities still practice male circumcision, whereby the initiates are taken to a secluded place, usually in a forest, where their foreskins are removed by an appointed circumciser who uses a special knife for the procedure. Subscribe, Join the conversation Share your thoughts, Enter Email Address A number of celebrations associated with the coming of age of young women nevertheless survive to this day, while the Reed Ceremony, associated with puberty rites among the Swazi, was adopted by their Zulu-speaking neighbours as late as the mid-1980s. Photo Credit: Pinterest. In South Africa, many ceremonies and celebrations are also aimed, more specifically, at securing the spiritual well-being, not only of the individual, but also of the community as a whole. In Kenya, the Maasai tribe bestow the responsibility of naming a newborn child on community elders who must select a name immediately following birth. One man enters the center of the circle and raises his fists. Before the initiation ceremonies (byale) which form part of the koma (the entire initiation period), adolescent girls undergo a puberty rite. “The traditional initiation practice is a rite of passage marking a transition into adulthood. Death is viewed differently depending on the community. Rites of passage are critical in nation-building and African socialization. With the high levels of child mortality seen in certain countries, many communities often go all out in celebrating children and protecting them from evil spirits. Here are some of the common rites of passage in Africa and how different groups celebrate them. After graduation from high school—known as matriculation in South Africa—it is common to go on to a technical college or to a university. It is the promoting of social symbols that give a community its identity and integration of the person into something greater than themselves. Group of Pittsfield spent the April vacation week touring historic sites, nonprofit organizations and enjoyed everyday life during a trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. Ugandan teenage boys preparing to undergo circumcision. A typical birth ritual among the Ndebele-speaking people of Zimbabwe begins with the woman leaving her husband during her ninth month of pregnancy to go to her own parents' home. The rites of passage for English South Africans would be familiar to their counterparts in other parts of the world. Every year in the beginning of winter, hundreds of girls from the Mapulana tribe attend an initiation school in Limpopo. A ‘Rite of Passage’ Youth Festival in South Africa 225 Pettigrew et al. Few South African youths own cars before they get full-time jobs. It is typical for a death in Africa to bring the family, some of whom come from a distance, and the whole community together, according to a doctoral thesis, Mourning Rituals and Practices in Contemporary South African Townships (page 24). 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