FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

My motivation, therefore, in the study of transition rites stems not only from academic
interests, but from my own personal experience of inadequacy and lack of credibility
among the parents. From the perspective of a Malawian mother I also join the 'circle of
concerned women theologians' in bringing up issues that violate development of full
humanity such as violence against women (girls) through some aspects offemale initia­
tion rites, child marriage, and so on. Because of this I have come to appreciate the im­
portance of understanding rituals as performed in society. Since every ritual carries
some social, moral and religious significance, it is important to take these rituals seri­
ously and understand the theological meanings that lie behind such rituals.
Issues concerning sexuality are a paradox in the African context. While they are re­
garded as taboo (that is, they are not supposed to be discussed 'openly'), in most of the
traditional rituals, sex education plays a major role in the female initiation rites because
of its religious significance. To this end, my position as a female theologian engaged in
theological training enabled me to interact not only with women but with both male and
female church leaders as well as traditional leaders. In order to adequately equip the
'God-called men and women for Christian service,3 our theological education must en­
compass all aspects of cultural issues. This study aims at equipping the Church in its
engagement ofGospel and culture.
To this end, I have used the Chewa people of Lilongwe District, Central Malawi, as a
case study.
1.2 PROBLEM FORMULATION AND ANALYSIS
Chilangizo in the Baptist churches is a prescribed 'Christian' initiation rite in response
to Baptist women's desire to have a Christian way ofinstructing the girls on facts oflife
such as on puberty. The problem to be solved in this study is why chilangizo is not an
adequate response to chinamwali for the Chewa women of Lilongwe. Related sub­
problems are: What is the historical and socio-religious background of the Chewa peo­
ple of Lilongwe District? What are the historical factors that prepared the way for the
3