Contents

List of Figures

Preface

Acknowledgements

Overview of Puberty Rites for Girls

1.1. Introduction

1.2. Discourses in Puberty Rites

1.3. Rituals in Rites of Passage

1.4. Harmful Practices in Puberty Rites

1.4.1. Initiate Beatings and Cold Water Endurance Tests

1.4.2. Tooth Filing

1.4.3. Labia Stretching or Labia Elongation

1.4.4. Virginity Testing

1.4.5. Female Genital Mutilation

1.5. Reasons for the Existence of Puberty Rites in Many Communities

1.6. Conclusion

References

Puberty Rites for Girls Among the Vatsonga

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Historical Background of the Vatsonga

2.3. Vukhomba among the Vatsonga

2.4. Vukhomba as a Developmental Stage

2.5. Vukhomba Organisational Structure

2.6. Roles of the Different Groups and Key People Participating in Vukhomba

2.6.1. The Role of the Vatswatsi (Vukhomba Elders)

2.6.2. The Role of the Vabvana (Initiated Women)

2.6.3. The Role of the Vanhwanyana (Initiated Girls)

2.6.4. The Role of the Malogwana or Phorisa ra Vukhomba (Vukhomba Supervisor)

2.6.5. The Role of the Murileri

2.6.6. The Role of the Mudzabi (Mentor)

2.7. Duration of the Vukhomba

2.8. Views of Community Members about the Vukhomba

2.9. Conclusion

References

Meanings, Taboos and Responses Related to a Girl’s First Menses

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Cultural Meaning of Menses or Menstruation

3.3. Girls’ Responses to Their First Menses

3.4. Family Response to Learning about their Daughter’s First Menses

3.4.1. Ku Veka Khomba (Putting the Girl Away)

3.4.2. The Use of Traditional Medicine for Girls Who have Reached Menarche

3.5. Reaction of Peers towards Menses

3.6. Preparations for the Vukhomba Rite

3.6.1. Nxanga

3.6.2. Xideka (The African G-String)

3.6.3. Ku Tumbetiwa Ka Xikhombana

3.7. Conclusion

References

The Vukhomba Initiation Process

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Salutations in the Vukhomba Rite

4.2.1. Salutations by the Vukhomba Participants (Vukhomba Elders, Supervisor, Murileri, Initiated Women and Girls)

4.2.2. Ku Losa Ka Xikhombana (Salutations by the Mudzabi and Initiate)

4.2.2.1. Ku Losa Xi Donki

4.2.2.2. Ku Losa Hi Nyonga (Greeting Using the Hips)

4.3. Ku Nkhisama (Kneeling Down) during Vukhomba

4.4. Ku Rhomba Ka Xikhombana (The Sitting Position or Seating Ettiquette of the Initiate)

4.5. Swiambalo Swa Vukhomba (Attire during the Vukhomba Rite)

4.5.1. Swiambalo Swa Xikhombana Na Mudzabi (the Vukhomba Attire for the Initiate and Mentor)

4.6. Ku Yimbelela (Singing), Tinsimu (Songs) and Ku Cina (Dancing) during the Vukhomba Rite

4.6.1. Ku Yimbelela Na Tinsimu (Singing and Songs) during the Vukhomba

4.6.2. Ku Cina (Dancing)

4.6.2.1. The Ku Thaga Dance

4.6.2.2. The Ku Rhirha Dance

4.6.2.3. The Ku Haka Lunya Dance

4.6.2.4. The Ku Teka Bengele (Picking up a Bangle) Dance

4.6.2.5. The Ku Sindza Rivalelo Dance

4.7. Ku Nghenisa Xikhombana (Entry into the Initiation)

4.7.1. Ku Yisa Xikhombana Ensinyeni (Taking the Initiate to the Tree/Performance of the Tree Ritual)

4.7.2. Ku Xangula Xikhombana (The Undressing of the Initiate)

4.7.3. Ku Ganga Ka Xikhombana (The Choosing of a Fictitious Husband)

4.7.4. Ku Rilisa Xikhombana (Making the Initiate Cry)

4.7.5. Risimu Ra Le Mbilwini (Singing One’s Own or Favourite Song)

4.7.6. Ku Ba Swigandlu or Swidabu (Story-Telling)

4.7.8. Ku Cinela (Dancing)

4.8. Ku Borisa Xikhombana (Letting the Initiate Decay)

4.9. Ku Pfula Xingomana

4.9.1. Ku Yisa Xikhombana Enambyeni

4.9.2. Ku Tsavula Xikhombana

4.9.3. Ku Pfula Xingomana

4.9.3.1. Ku Cinisa Xikhombana

4.10. Ku Cinela Xikhombana (Dancing for the Initiate)

4.11. Conclusion

References

The Final Vukhomba Rituals

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Milawu Ya Vukhomba

5.3. Ku Laya Xikhombana (Giving Guidance to the Initiate)

5.4. Swixuxelo (Late Night Rituals)

5.4.1. The Ku Chacha Ka Khomba

5.4.2. The Ku Tlhava Ngoma Leyikulu

5.5. Geregere

5.6. Vujelejele (Night Vigil)

5.6.1. The Ku Xangula Khomba

5.6.2. The Ku Tlhava Ngoma Leyikulu

5.6.3. The Ku Tlhava Tingoma or Ku Cina Tingoma (Dancing Tingoma)

5.6.4 The Ku Fefisa Khomba

5.6.5. The Ku Khanela Khomba

5.5.6. The Closure of Vujelejele

5.7. Ku Humesa Khomba

5.8. Ku Lula Khomba (Celebrations in Tribute of the Initiated Girl)

5.8.1. Saturday Celebrations by the Family

5.8.2. The Nyimbo-Nyimbo Celebration

5.9. Conclusion

References

The Vukhomba Rite in Relation to Sexuality Education

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Concepts Related to Sexuality Education

6.2.1. Sexual Health

6.2.2. Sexuality and Sexuality Education

6.2.3. Adolescents and Adolescent Health

6.2.4. Gender

6.3. An Analysis of the Vukhomba Rite in Relation to the Different Aspects of Sexuality Education

6.3.1. Sexuality in the Vukhomba Rite

6.3.2. Sexuality Education in the Vukhomba Rite

6.3.3. Gender Issues Related to the Vukhomba Rite

6.3.4. Adolescent Health in Relation to the Vukhomba Rite

6.5. Conclusion

References

About the Author

Index

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