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Symbolic Rebirth: The Mwali Rite among the Luguru of Eastern Tanzani1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

James L. Brain
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Extract

In this paper I shall describe the rites performed for Luguru girls at puberty, and attempt an interpretation of their symbolic significance and sociological functions. In a recent article (Brain 1977) I have re-examined the whole question of initiation rites, and I propose to treat the Luguru case in the light of the ideas developed therein.

Briefly, I see the rites as having both psychological and sociological importance. Psychologically, they compensate for male envy of female precreativity (Bettelheim 1954); affirm the culturally prescribed sex roles (Freud 1962 [1905] and Rank 1929); and provide a means of dealing with the threateningly anomalous nature of the transition from an asexual to a sexual world (Douglas 1966). Sociologically, they effect a transition from one status to another; clarify male and female roles and the nature of legitimate authority; and provide instruction in traditional lore and sexual conduct. It is plain that the psychological and sociological aspects overlap considerably. This is most evident in what I regard as the prime function of the rites: to correct any tendency on the part of women to assume a dominant role in a society where political and economic factors might permit them to do so.

Résumé

RENAISSANCE SYMBOLIQUE: LE RITE MWALI CHEZ LES LUGURU DE TANZANIE ORIENTALE

Les Luguru, peuplade matrilinéaire de Tanzanie Orientale, ont des rites initiatiques pour les jeunes garçons et les jeunes filles. Le rite destiné aux jeunes filles est un rite de longue durée. Dès le début du ménarche, le jeune fille est placée dans une hutte sombre où elle sera retenue de I à 6 ans. Le rite est décrit en détail et sa signification symbolique est examinée, ainsi que ses effets sociologiques et psychologiques. On suggère que le forme même du rite dérive d'un sentiment de jalousie de l'homme envers la procréativité de la femme et que les effets de ce rite sont destinés à faciliter le passage d'un monde asexuel à un monde sexuel; de clarifier les rôles dans leur rapport homme/femme; d'instruire; et surtout en premier lieu d'interdire aux femmes toute possibilité d'accès à un rôle dominant dans une société qui pour des raisons économiques ou autres risquerait de la permettre.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 48 , Issue 2 , April 1978 , pp. 176 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 1978

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