To the Bottom of the Heap: Decoding Symbols of Initiation Rituals in the Lunda Traditional Society

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

 To the Bottom of the Heap: Decoding Symbols of Initiation Rituals in the Lunda Traditional Society

 Dr. Sylvester Mutunda
Department of Literature and Languages. The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.

Abstract: The Lunda initiation ritual is examined against the theoretical background of Victor Turner’s adaptation (1967, 1968, 1969, 1974) of Arnold van Gennep’s model (1960), according to which every rite of passage is consisting of three stages: separation; liminality, a state of being “betwixt and between”; and aggregation, the phase of re-admission and return to society with a new, transformed status. The main features of Lunda rites of passages and the sequences characterizing them are outlined. The paper then decodes and discusses the meanings of and values of male and female puberty rites symbols. It is suggested that considering their significance and values, the performance and the ritual celebration conducted during the initiation period are of great importance in the Lunda day to day lives.

Keywords: Initiation rituals, Lunda people, and Symbolism.

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE SUDY

This paper examines the Lunda rites of passage and their symbols in a traditional context. First, it has dealt with what the rites of passage are generally. Then, the procedural analysis of these rituals, as well as the different symbolic aspects related to them. It should be mentioned from the onset that this paper is concerned exclusively with boys’ circumcision ritual (Mukanda) and girls’ puberty ritual (Nkang’a). It would have been better had it covered all the rituals of Lunda society, but that would have been impossible in one paper. Additionally, the analysis offered here is based on the Lunda interpretation of symbols occurring in these rituals, as well as their functions. For tailoring this paper to fruition, aside from my introspection and the few interview conducted, I equally consulted works by Anthropology scholars who lived among the Lunda and wrote extensively about them. Some of them include Victor Turner (1920-1983), an American field anthropologist who was deeply concerned with rituals in both the African communities and the contemporary developed world; Edith Turner (1987) who worked with her husband Victor Turner; Arnold van Gennep (1960), whose work on rites of passage was inspirational; James A. Pritchett (2001), Jan Vansina (1968), M. K. Fisher (1984), and M. McColloch (1951)

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