FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

ishing them, especially if any of the initiates was reported to be of bad behaviour. The
tutors stay close and rescue the girls when they are satisfied with the treatment, by giv­
ing money to the zirombo. It really depends on the zirombo themselves to decide what
to do with the initiates. Most ofthe instruction is contained in the songs and the actions
the zirombo perfonn. Issues such as observing sexual taboos during the menses, and
respecting the parents and all elders are stressed. The emphasis is that the initiates are
no longer children, but adults. Hence all past bad behaviour must be left behind. In
addition, it is most important to establish the fertility ofthe young women.
To signify death ofthe old life and entry into the new life, the initiates may be buried in
the ground and the zirombo dance around them until their tutors redeem them. They
may be told to climb a tree, while the zirombo light a fire underneath and put either
tobacco leaves, or chillies on the fire. The girls are not supposed to run away but to per­
severe as a sign of adulthood until their tutors redeem them. Sometimes the zirombo
hold a stick and the girls hold the other end and they pull each other. The zirombo then
pull hard until the girls fall down, and continue to pull them while they are down until
they are redeemed.
One infonnant told me that this is also the same night that the girls are taken to liunde
and shown the nyau structures. They are taken into the chimkoko structure to see what it
is made of, but severely warned never to reveal what they have seen and been taught. 54
Then early in the morning the zirombo take the girls to a nearby dam. The zirombo
begin to dip themselves in the water, followed by the girls and their tutors, as a symbol
of dying to past life and starting a new phase of life. While the zirombo go their way,
the girls go back to the seclusion house (tsimba). My infonnant indicated that most of
the brutal practices meted out on the girls in the past, have ceased. However, if a girl is
specifically reported to be ofbad behaviour, she undergoes a difficult time.
The last day of the mkangali ceremony is marked by feasting - eating, drinking, and
dancing - mnjeza for the chiefs and then gule wamkulu to celebrate the end of the cere­
mony. It is also the day on which the elephant nyau comes out to perfonn in front ofthe
chiefs house, where it is also given its monetary gift. After the public activities, the
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