FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

The meaning of this ritual was that today is the day for the function to which you had
contributed your money. They end the ritual by throwing the fIrewood pieces in the
toilet for nothing should be carelessly disposed off.
Mchezo wa M(umu (The Chief's Solemn Vigil)
The night of this day was the solemn vigil for the new chief (mchezo wa mfumu).
Since the ceremony begins after midnight, I slept during the fIrst part of the night.
My informant and her husband went to discuss with the chief in charge of the
ceremony whether I could attend. They agreed that I attend as an observer upon the
payment ofthe required amount payable by every initiate. I paid 200 Malawi Kwacha
the next day. The two chiefs cautioned me not to raise any suspicion among the
people, otherwise I was free to attend and write my notes afterwards.
In the meantime, the zirombo were performing their dances at the ground where all
were welcome to attend, but I decided to sleep so that I would not miss the chief's
vigil.
The chief's ceremony was attended only by the invited mkangali chiefs, their wives,
and two anamkungwi. The initiates included the new chief, his two wives, his two
anamkungwi and one other chief's wife whose husband had already been initiated.
Since the details ofthe solemn vigil do not form part ofthis study, I will just highlight
a few observations.
This ceremony was the climax of the Chewa initiation rites for the chiefs. At this
ceremony the new chief is 'officially' given a 'certifIcate' in the form of a packet
covered in either a blanket or sack cloth containing secret magical tools. The packet
is called chitamba (the elephant's trunk). The chief in charge of the ceremony
prepares this packet and hands it over to the new chief at this ceremony. It is the
chief's property, and together with his wife (wives), they must observe all taboos
surrounding it; otherwise he or she will die. It is to be kept in the first wife's house,
never to be moved. When the chiefdies, he will be buried with it. Failure to produce
the trunk on the chief's death results in a big case (mlandu) for the wife.
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