Domba tshi swa - THE END (lit. BURNING) OF DOMBA     (d) After washing, each novice brings back a river reed. These are placed in a heap and counted by the master, for the purely practical purpose of cross-checking the amount of fees paid. When they come back, the girls are called khomba dzo nwaho Mbidi, 'maidens who have drunk the River Mbidingwe' (the name of the river varies according to the locality of the domba). The river-reed is a symbol of the male organ, and is also associated with the origin of man.   Girls return from the river, where their virginity was inspected by the old ladies. Each one brings back a river-reed ().  To return, click 'Back' in the browser. Next