Notes on the circumcision rites of the Balovale tribes

Bibliographic Data

ID7554576
AuthorsC M N White (a African Local Government School , Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia, corresponding author)
Year1953
Volume12
Issue2
Pages41-56
Publication date1953-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-0184 • E-ISSN: 1469-2872
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00020185308706904
OpenAlexW1501126081
LanguageEN
Citations received8

SYNOPSIS Data collected in the Mwinilunga, Balovale and Kabompo districts of Northern Rhodesia,are presented on the circumcision rites of the Lunda, Luvale, Luchazi and Chokwe whence no observations have hitherto been published. The dual role of the rites on one hand internally and onthe other externally is pointed out; the sequence of the rites is described and attention is drawn to variations in some aspects between the tribes concerned. Reference is also made to instances where the writer's observations conflict with earlier observations. Trees used in therites are identified by their botanical names, their symbolism is mentioned and information is given of shortened forms of the rites and rites without the ban on sexual intercourse by participants, both, it is thought, new points. The role of the makishi masks is considered; the teaching of the ceremonies is summarized and examples of the songs are given. Stress is laid on the need to assemble more extensive data from actual observations before speculative interpretation of some features of the symbolism can be considered safe

Ancient history · Ethnology · Genealogy · Geography · Sociology · Anthropology · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues · Gender Studies · Genital Health and Disease · History

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