FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

married couples as well, it would assist many Chewa women (and men) who have been
made to believe that the physical rite of elongating the labia minora is what holds a
marriage together. 78 Biblical teaching on good morals will help girls (and boys) to
abstain from sex before marriage and to remain faithful after marriage. This should
protect them from the dangers of contracting venereal diseases as well as RN/AIDS.
Girls are vulnerable in this area and the church could creatively teach both girls and
boys about RIV/AIDS. Apart from the fear RN/AIDS, living a pure life is good in
itselfboth for the individual and for the couple. Jesus brings new life to the Chewa peo­
ple. Re gives added inward empowerment against sexual sin.
One aspect of the traditional practices that the Christian faith needs to affirm and emu­
late with regard to puberty rites is the strong communitas shown in the involvement of
the community from the preparatory stage to the end of chinamwali. Almost the whole
community contributed towards the ceremony, either in monetary form or with items
such as maize flour, or firewood. The festive mood runs throughout the ceremony as
women are busy cooking food, brewing beer, drawing water, while some men sit in
groups holding a calabash of beer, and others help the women with the harder tasks,
such as cutting firewood. At other times, children and women would be running away
while laughing from nyau dancers. This kind of attitude shows solidarity among the
Chewa society. The actual ceremony was characterised by singing and dancing, ululat­
ing, clapping ofhands, drumming, and giving of gifts. Part ofthis is what characterised
the early Church, when people were together listening to the teaching ofthe apostles, in
prayer, and in sharing meals (Acts 2:44-47). And if communitas is so important in
Chewa society, then all the aspects that bring solidarity and the elements that bring joy
to the ceremony deserve more significance in Christian puberty rites (or some other
social events. 79 Christian chinamwali needs the Christian community to greatly partici­
pate and to publicly acknowledge the incorporation of the young women into the adult
life ofthe community.
We have seen that the Chewa belief in ancestors underpins the chinamwali rites. We
have also shown that the Scriptures show that Jesus Christ, through his death, resurrec­
tion and exaltation to the spiritual realm, becomes our Ancestor and the sole Mediator
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