FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:
FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:
FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Adaona opanda nyini odede! They saw she has no vagina 10 odede!<br />
Meaning: 'Since they say that you had not been counselled, now you sit here to receive counsel.'<br />
About fifty women packed in the room. Closer to the door and window were three<br />
drummers - two women and one man. Facing the drummers on the opposite wall<br />
were seated three initiates - the two girls plus a woman (a chiefs wife who had not<br />
been initiated before.) The other two opposite walls were packed with women and a<br />
small space was left in the middle of the room for dancing. Two small lit nyali<br />
(lamps) were put by the window. The floor was dusty. During the night the door was<br />
kept open and this gave a little bit offresh air for those ofus who were standing closer<br />
to the door. In the morning hours the door was kept closed.<br />
When a song and the drumming began, the first set of three women went in and<br />
danced in front of, and facing, the drummers. They then turned and danced in front of<br />
and facing the initiates, while another set of three went in and danced facing the<br />
drummers. As the first set walked out, another set went in, and so on. One song<br />
would take fifteen to twenty minutes especially when the initiates were asked to join.<br />
There was a lot oftalking and disagreements in between the songs. Sometimes it was<br />
about which song they should sing, or who should begin the song, or sometimes there<br />
was no volunteer drummers. (I heard later that the ceremony was not done well<br />
because people were not giving enough monetary gifts [kusupaJ) to the performers.<br />
The usual type of dancing was the one shaking the front part of the waist. There was<br />
a lot ofaction and explanation. Singing went on like this:<br />
32. Usangoyamba nchiwale<br />
Mwanawange<br />
Anzako akuna nyini<br />
Kandochi!<br />
Do not begin gamblingII<br />
My child<br />
Your friends are pulling the vagina 12<br />
Seated legs up!<br />
The women demonstrated by sitting with their legs up and the hands in front as if<br />
pulling the labia minora.<br />
33. Mwana wanamwali<br />
Usayambane ndi ine<br />
Ndikuuze mwambo<br />
Mwambo sinkhindi<br />
Mwambo m 'nkhole<br />
You girl,<br />
Do not pick a quarrel with me<br />
Let me counsel you<br />
Counsel truly<br />
Counsel ofthe menses<br />
179
Change language