article

Boys' initiation rites among the Luguru of eastern Tanzania

Anthropos75 (3/4) • Published In 1980 • Pages: 369-382

By: Brain, James Lewton.

Abstract
Luguru youth are initiated into adulthood through extensive rites. For boys, the rituals involve isolation in a remote forest where they receive secret instructions as a group on a range of issues, including sexual intercourse, personal hygiene, politeness, and other preferred practices. For girls, the initiation instead requires living in isolation in a dark room for several months. This study discusses boys' initiation rites as having both symbolic and sociological functions relevant for understanding psychological tensions and power differentials between genders, generations, and lineage groups.
Subjects
Puberty and initiation
Ceremonial during infancy and childhood
Techniques of socialization
Sex training
Transmission of cultural norms
Functional and adaptational interpretations
Gender roles and issues
Gender status
Naming
Avoidance and taboo
Adolescent activities
culture
Luguru
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2020
Field Date
1965-1966
Coverage Date
1965-1966
Coverage Place
Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Notes
James L. Brain
Includes bibliographical references (p. 381-382)
LCCN
07021775
LCSH
Luguru (African people)