Chisungu: A Girl's Initiation Ceremony Among the Bemba of Zambia

by Audrey I. Richards, J.S. La Fontaine (Introduction)

While there have been a number of descriptions and interpretations of boys' initiation rituals, Audrey Richards's classic study of initiation rites among the Bemba remains one of the few studies to deal in detail with the initiation of girls into adult life.
Dr Richards observed the entire chisungu or female initiation rite, an almost continuous series of complex ceremonies lasting for a month. Her detailed description of the elements of the ritual, and her analysis of it in terms of the culture of matrilineal society, have made this a classic ethnographic and theoretical text. Celebrating the attainment of sexual and social maturity, the puberty rituals reflect tribal attitudes to sex, fertility, marriage, and the rearing of children. We see how women's ceremonies portray and try to enforce the social obligations of marriage and the setting up of the kinship group, and the conflicts of interest that are involved.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Aamina · Rating 3 out of 5]

”What the chisungu makes clear is that successful womanhood is something that is taught and learned; it is not a ‘natural’ attribute, for a girl who has not had her chisungu performed is ‘an unforced pot’, ‘rubbish.’

An interesting account of Bemba culture and way of life, as well as insight into the nobility rites and the Chisungu, which is said to initiate girls from ‘girls’ into ‘women’. The seniority of age is emphasised as well as the sanctity of knowledge which is passed on between the generations. Its sad that such rites like the Chisungu are no longer practised. Though Audrey Richards attributes this to economic factors for example, I find it to be quite symbolic of the global decline in collectivism and community, as we see liberal ideas of ‘individualism’ plague societies globally. I wonder if other societies learnt from the Bemba the importance of community life, and whether or not imitating some parts of the chisungu, namely making a point of teaching girls the ways of womanhood, would make girls a lot more secure in their identities, as opposed to feeling that they have to navigate the world of womanhood unaccompanied.

V. Excited to study and explore this further later this year :)

[Wendy Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the class I read this for. Super informative, thought it was funny that Richards heavily implies that a lot of field research is winging it and navigating logistical difficulties.

[Kefeshe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this for the Social Anthropology paper of my degree, but actually really enjoyed it! Interesting perspective on how the Bemba have used this ritual to solve the "matrilineal puzzle"

[Auburn Whi · Rating 4 out of 5]

V interesting and detailed. Richards is also quite reflexive of her own biases which is nice to see in such an old work. Would have liked to see more on how colonialism has led to the declining prevalence of chisungu and other rituals

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un livre passionnant, et surtout très clair comparé aux autres ouvrages « universitaires » que j’ai pu lire jusqu’ici.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and very detailed, which can get confusing.