SUBIYA (Tanzania, BOTSWANA)

 

Index → Africa→ Tanzania→ Subiya

 

Featured: Swahili, Wanguru, Turu, Kwere, Shambala, Ngindo, Chagga, Bena, Nyamwezi, Luguru, Kaguru, Sukuma, Subiya, Ngulu, Hehe, Barabaig, Nyakyusa, Gogo, Baraguyu;® Kuria, ®Masai

Among the Zambia Subiya, initiation and sexual instruction begin at the time of menarche (Crowther, 1964:p53)[1], during Sikenge. “After [the subsequent cleansing ceremony of two months], the girl is considered mature and ready to be married. In some cases, her family would have arranged her marriage” (Ndana, 1999:p130)[2]. Via a nuptial song, the couple is invited to have their first coitus (ibid.), which may be interpreted as a learning experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janssen, D. F., Growing Up Sexually. VolumeI. World Reference Atlas. 0.2 ed. 2004. Berlin: Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology

Last revised: Sept 2004

 


[1] Crowther, I. A. (1964) Female initiation ceremonies (Sikenge) as practised by the Subiya of Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia, NADA 9,1:52-4

[2] Ndana, N. (1999) To “insult” or to “teach”? Botswana Notes & Rec 31:129-34