Rites Of passage:
Boys:
The Mukanda (Circumcision Ritual) is a rite of passage for boys who are 10-12 years old who are ready to become men. When the Makishi reports the Mukanda to villages the parents will decide if their boy is ready for the circumcision. When it is decided, a group of boys will be taken from their villages and put into camps for secret training, learning practical survival skills and waiting for the ritual to be performed. The boys usually stay three to six months after circumcision to be taken care of so it will not upset the ancestors. No woman is allowed to be near camp. After the Mukanda, they are allowed to eat under the nzango with the other men and be told secrets about the ritual. They will no longer eat with the women and children.
Girls:
The rite of passage for girls happens when they go through puberty (Litungu). The mwali (young lady) is taken from the village to a small bush house to learn the expectations and roles of a women in their culture. At night, the Mwali is allowed to go home to sleep for safety, but they must go back to the bush house before the village wakes up. Training to become a women takes a month. During training the Mwali is not allowed to bathe. The Chilomboa (elder woman) teaches the Mwali. During the Litungu, the family buys clothes, beads, blankets and make beer. When the Mwali is ready she is allowed to bathe and afterwards, oil is spread through her hair and body. Then she is adorned in chitangi cloth. The celebration lasts for a couple of days. On the first day, the village celebrates without the Mwali. On the second day, the Mwali sits on the grass mat covered in a blanket. The father of the Mwali carries the ax and the mother carries the hoe. When these two items are set down besides the Mwali, the mother and father will reveal her by removing the blanket. When she is revealed, the Mwali is expected to dance a dance that the Chilomboa has taught her. If she does well the village people will give her money. After the dance she is allowed to socialize and celebrate for several days. When it is over, the Mwali is given a field, no longer a girl and considered a women open for marriage.
The Mukanda (Circumcision Ritual) is a rite of passage for boys who are 10-12 years old who are ready to become men. When the Makishi reports the Mukanda to villages the parents will decide if their boy is ready for the circumcision. When it is decided, a group of boys will be taken from their villages and put into camps for secret training, learning practical survival skills and waiting for the ritual to be performed. The boys usually stay three to six months after circumcision to be taken care of so it will not upset the ancestors. No woman is allowed to be near camp. After the Mukanda, they are allowed to eat under the nzango with the other men and be told secrets about the ritual. They will no longer eat with the women and children.
Girls:
The rite of passage for girls happens when they go through puberty (Litungu). The mwali (young lady) is taken from the village to a small bush house to learn the expectations and roles of a women in their culture. At night, the Mwali is allowed to go home to sleep for safety, but they must go back to the bush house before the village wakes up. Training to become a women takes a month. During training the Mwali is not allowed to bathe. The Chilomboa (elder woman) teaches the Mwali. During the Litungu, the family buys clothes, beads, blankets and make beer. When the Mwali is ready she is allowed to bathe and afterwards, oil is spread through her hair and body. Then she is adorned in chitangi cloth. The celebration lasts for a couple of days. On the first day, the village celebrates without the Mwali. On the second day, the Mwali sits on the grass mat covered in a blanket. The father of the Mwali carries the ax and the mother carries the hoe. When these two items are set down besides the Mwali, the mother and father will reveal her by removing the blanket. When she is revealed, the Mwali is expected to dance a dance that the Chilomboa has taught her. If she does well the village people will give her money. After the dance she is allowed to socialize and celebrate for several days. When it is over, the Mwali is given a field, no longer a girl and considered a women open for marriage.