FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

After this ceremony, all the chiefs left for the house, leaving the girls to continue with
the ceremony at the ground, but away from the spot for chipondamgaga.
The next phase of the ceremony is referred to as the chiwulu-wulu ceremony. The
girls were again taken outside the ground on the shoulders of the tutors and they re­
entered the ground while singing. The girls were not supposed to hold on to their
tutors, but to dance according to the tune ofthe songs.
22. Taonani phwit 6 i maye (solo)
Phwiti wasewera (all)
Look at the bird (phwiti) mother
Phwiti is playing
The girls were shaking proudly only their shoulders. 'She is like this bird which plays
closer to people without fear!' So it is also the girl's time to play for people to see.
Then followed another song:
23. Namwali penya m 'mbuyomo de
Penya m'mbuyomo
The girls were also shaking while looking at the back.
24. Lumbe, lumbe, lumbe, lumbi
Lumbe sangalala
Initiate, look at the back, de
Look at the back
Night-jar x 4
Night-jar be happy
At this song the girls stretched their hands sideways and looked at the crowd from
side to side (called kuyangala or display) and the crowd applauded them. Many came
and gave them money.
The whole ceremony of the girls at the tree is called chiwulu-wulu from the verb
kuwuluka (to fly). Sometimes this day is called tsiku la chiwulu-wulu (the 'flying'
day). Like birds do fly, the girls were 'flying' on the shoulders, and that is why the
girls were given names ofbirds. Another informant explained that this is a traditional
way of displaying the girls to the men so that they can choose who they wish to
marry. 8
175