KwaNtonjane : the indigenous rites of passage amongst amaXhosa in relation to prejudiced spaces
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Sun Media
Abstract
KwaNtonjane is an isiXhosa concept that refers to the space that a young umXhosa girl
occupies from initiation to adulthood. During this time, she is called an intonjane – an initiate
transitioning from girlhood to young womanhood. Some parallels can be drawn between
the two initiation practices, Kwantonjane and ulwaluko, with the latter term referring to an
initiation ritual for boys.
These rituals are similar yet distinct. To illustrate this point further, both male and female
initiates receive counselling on their transition and society’s expectations. Yet despite the
similarities, there are also conspicuous differences in how the initiates are counselled and how
much space they are allowed to occupy during and after the initiation process. For instance,
on the one hand, the mother of the young man and the significant women in his life are not
allowed to be a part of ulwaluko or in the spaces surrounding the ritual. On the other hand, the
father of the young woman is allowed around and close to the girl’s initiation hut. There seems
to be prejudice regarding the ritual spaces that amaXhosa women in general are allowed to
occupy. This chapter investigates how the location of unequal spaces sets the tone for future
imbalance in ritual spaces and unequal social relationships. This will be addressed by making
use of the relational indigenous research paradigm, which considers how reality is collectively
constructed and the connection that people have with each other from birth to death. The
chapter will also discuss and explain the purpose and meaning of these rites of passage.
Description
CITATION: Matholeni, N. P., 2020. KwaNtonjane : the indigenous rites of passage amongst amaXhosa in relation to prejudiced spaces, in Matholeni, N. P., Boateng, G. K. & Manyonganise, M. (eds.) 2020. Mother Earth, Mother Africa & African indigenous religions. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS, doi:10.18820/9781928480730/01.
The original publication is available at https://africansunmedia.store.it.si/za
The original publication is available at https://africansunmedia.store.it.si/za
Keywords
Africa -- Religion, Xhosa (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies, Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
Citation
Matholeni, N. P., 2020. KwaNtonjane : the indigenous rites of passage amongst amaXhosa in relation to prejudiced spaces, in Matholeni, N. P., Boateng, G. K. & Manyonganise, M. (eds.) 2020. Mother Earth, Mother Africa & African indigenous religions. Stellenbosch: SUN PReSS, doi:10.18820/9781928480730/01.