Book

Girls' nubility rites in Ashanti

Ghana Pub. Corp.Tema, Ghana • Published In 1977 • Pages:

By: Sarpong, Peter.

Abstract
This is a detailed description and interpretation of Ashanti nubility rites based on questionnaires, tape recordings, and the personal experience of the author, who grew up in an Ashanti village. Ashanti nubility rites mark a woman's availability for marriage and the matrilineage's future hope. Boys are not as valued as girls in this respect and do not have any equivalent initiation rites. The rite is carried out for a single girl between the ages of 13 and 20. In the symbolism of the rite the girl is treated as the queen mother. She is ‘enstooled,’ kept secluded, and pampered. Other parts of the ceremony involve singing, dancing, sacrifices, ritual hair cutting, and ritual bathing. A separate KYIRIBRA ceremony is held for girls who violated their chastity prior to the nubility rite.
Subjects
Visiting and hospitality
Puberty and initiation
culture
Akan
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Cleric
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard ;1999
Field Date
Not Specified
Coverage Date
1920-1970
Coverage Place
Ashanti; Ghana
Notes
Peter Sarpong
Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-101)
LCCN
78106960
LCSH
Akan (African people)