Book
CHISUNGU: a girls' initiation ceremony among the Bemba of Northern Rhodesia
Faber and Faber • London, England • Published In 1956 • Pages:
By: Richards, Audrey I. (Audrey Isabel).
Abstract
This is a descriptive and interpretive account of the CHISUNGU or girls' initiation ceremony among the Bemba of Northern Rhodesia. In the introduction, the author discusses the theoretical significance of the puberty rites. A summary of the material environment and institutional structure of the Bemba society provides the necessary frame of reference for the better understanding of the ceremony itself. Being one of the sponsors of the particular ceremony that she had witnessed, the author is able to record the various rituals in detail. A functional interpretation of the CHISUNGU, especially its place in a matrilineal society, concludes this fine study. An appendix on the distribution of the puberty ceremonies in central Africa, and one on the songs sung during the Bemba ceremony are included in the book. For more information about the author see 2: Richards, this file.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1997
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Southern Africa
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Robert Lee ; 1958
- Field Date
- 1930-1934
- Coverage Date
- not specified
- Coverage Place
- Zambia
- Notes
- by Audrey I. Richards
- Includes bibliographical references ( p. 213-216) and index
- LCCN
- 57018530
- LCSH
- Bemba (African people)