Mihwalo - THE BURDENS When I saw this, the master put a large rock into a sack and tied it up like a parcel before the afternoon dance began. Later, the novices were told to stop dancing and kneel down. The sack was brought out, together with two hoops which consisted of the rims of old winnowing trays. These were substitute for the necklaces that hang across the chest (see milayo Nos. 249 and 250). One of van Warmelo's (1932 :70) informants describes a rite which sounds like mihwalo; the novices must carry a sack full of nettles, and the dandoliers are also made of nettles, which would be effectively painful. Each girl in turn perform the exercise. She comes out from the group, performs losha humbly and stands up, whist one hoop (or loop, if necklaces are available) is placed over the head, on to the left shoulder and under the right arm. The other hoop is placed on the right shoulder and under the left arm, so that they cross in front of the chest. Then four boys lift the sack up and place it on the head of the girl, who must carry it round the drums and the fire whilst domba is sung. Each girl puts down the bundle herself, and is supposed to look inside the sack. Because the action is intended to symbolize pregnancy, each novice is expected to step round like one who has completed her initiation (-dabela). Most girls did the normal domba step, which does not take so long, arguing that they did not know the other! On one occasion, when twenty-four girls had to complete the lesson, mihwalo lasted well over an hour.     A novice carries a sack containing a large stone, symbolizing the burden of pregnancy.   Lesson The content of the burden are a mystery. When a girl feels the pain of carrying it, it is because she represents a pregnant woman. When she puts it down, it represents child-birth, and when she uncovers it she will discover what she has been carrying: a boy or a girl. The person who makes her carry the burden is, of course, her husband.    Milayo  259 Mpakato hoyu wa nga ngeno this necklace on the left [shoulder]: owa-muroxwe a grass snake.  260 Wa nga ngeo that on the right: grass snake. (See milayo Nos. 249 and 250.)  261 Vhulungu (not always worn) The beads: () tsha matombo a kale a necklace of old opal beads. For mulayo of , see No. 247.)  262 vha tshi takula vha tshi u hwesa now those who lift up [the burden] and make you carry it: Munna wau your husband.  263 A u divhi zwauri vha khou u hwesa mini: u sokou -ri "Ndi muhwalo": tshine tshi ngoma a u . Vhe' zwi khou u vinalala: tombo: ndi muthu u na thumbu. You do not know what they are making you carry: you just say to yourself, "It's a burden': what is inside you know not. they say that those things that are causing you pain: that stone: represents a woman who is pregnant.  264 u tshi vhea fhasi now when you put it down: Ndi musi wa u bebaho it is the time you give birth: U arali e mutukana kana musidzana you will know if it is a boy or a girl. Video Clip  To return, click 'Back' in the browser. Next