Chief ceremony

Last Saturday I was invited by Diana's family to join a chief ceremony. Every village in Malawi has a person who is responsible for solving social issues - the chief. Choosing a new chief involves a lot of traditional practices. The chief ceremony started Friday night, because of safety issues I decided to join them Saturday during day time. We arrived in the village in the morning and started preparing lunch. The whole village cooks and eats together which was nice to be part of. Soon I figured out Diana's oldest half - brother wasn't there. I asked the grandmother where he was and she told me very proudly he was getting his initiation in traditional practices. I'm not exactly sure what they did with him but initiation involves often making several cuts on the body and circumcision. It all happens in the bush without hygiene. This was a moment I realized again it is not always easy to live in and understand different cultures.

After finishing lunch we gathered together and the moment was there that they caught a new chief. They catch a chief because nobody wants to be the chief. All the men are sitting together and when one person gives a sign they all jump on the new chief, agreed upfront however he does not know. They carry the new chief to his home. The new chief fights and tries to get out of the arms of the people carrying him. I asked why nobody wants to be the chief. As chief you have to solve many social issues in the village so you make friends and enemies. The previous chief died soon after he was selected because somebody poisoned him.
After the chief was chosen the women run, dance and sing around the village. Diana joined them and this was absolutely her favorite part of the day. Diana loves dancing, as soon as she hears a beat she is dancing. Her family laughed and enjoyed her presence a lot.

When the sun goes down the ‘Chilombo’ are coming to the village. Chilombo are persons who cover themselves with leaves and material. They try to catch young girls. There are many stories going around what they do with the girls after they catch them. The grandmother informed me in this village they bring the girls back to the family and the family has to pay money. Unfortunately there are also stories going around that they rape the girls.

Love,
Nicole