FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

girls, covered all round with cloth, were lying facing down in the middle ofthe circle.
The tree was not at the very edge ofthe village, but was between two houses, and the
women were busy chasing away the children, as well as some young men from one of
the houses, who were trying to see what was going on. We joined the women who
were not part of the circle. More than fifteen minutes passed while just standing.
The women were asking each other, 'Who is to start a song?' Two women were
ready with their drums.
The programme started by singing while going round the girls. Not all the women
were expected to join the circle, and so the rest ofus joined in singing. The following
songs are sang on this first day at the tree:
1. Kuchidendene, chidendene
Kuli mwankhula
Kuchidendene, chidendene
Kuli mwang'ana,
At the heel, the heel
There is speaking
At the heel, the heel
There is looking
While the girls were lying down, fully covered, the women danced round them, lifting
their own heels.
Meaning: 'We have come to instruct you.'
2. Chinyama, de de, chinyama
Chinyama, eel chinyama
The big animal, de de, the big animal
The big animal, eel The big animal
Meaning: 'You are now going to carry the animal' (referring to the head crown with an animal symbol
that she will put on her head).
Women sang another song while still going round the girl.
3. Chalira, chalira, chalira
Chimndikiti, chalira
Chimndikiti chankhole
It has cried, cried, cried
The heavy footstep has cried
The heavy footstep ofmenses
Meaning: 'We are making this heavy footstep (confidence) because ofyour menstruation.'
4. Kanjoka kanga lele tate
Kakayenda were-were x 2
My small snake, lele, father
It was moving softly
The women lay down and moved like a snake. In some places the girls crawled also.
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