FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

espectively (with pennission) ofboth the introductory section and the chinamwali sec­
tion.
The first section answers the questions 'who are alangizi and how can we choose ala­
ngizi?' It explains that each congregation should choose two faithful and mature Chris­
tian women to be alangizi so that they can convert the girls to the Christian faith and
lead them into maturity in their faith. Scripture verses to help the alangizi in converting
the girls are included in the introduction. The alangizi should 'also act as aphungu
(tutors) when the girls have their first menstruation.' The alangizi should meet the fol­
lowing qualifications: they should have been members for not less than five years; if
possible they should be able to read and write; they must show exemplary Christian
lifestyle and witness, for their work is to teach the girls Christian values. The alangizi
should also be able to attend association meetings 'which are held once or twice per
year.' When instructing, they should not 'receive any gift for their gift is in the joy they
get in serving the Lord.' Since this paper discusses chinamwali (puberty rite), I summa­
rise below the teaching that is given to the girls from the perspective of the booklet.
Instruction on courtship, marriage, first pregnancy, and the birth of the baby does not
appear since the rites are outside the scope ofthis thesis.
5.6 A SUMMARY OF THE TEACHINGS ON PUBERTY
According to the booklet, convert-making seems to be the main role of the alangizi,
while instruction about facts of life is stated as a secondary role. This is explicit in the
statement from the introductory section ofthe booklet that says:
Their main work is to lead girls who do not know Christ to receive Him as their per­
sonal Saviour; and to lead the girls to grow spiritually in Christ. The alangizi will also
act as aphungu (tutors) when the girls have their first menstruation.
Making converts is stressed through the addition of Scripture verses for the women to
use (see Appendices C or D). The secondary role ofalangizi is to instruct the girls about
the physical, spiritual, psychological, and social implications of puberty. This is evi-
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