Boys 5 Initiation Rites
among the Luguru of Eastern Tanzania*
James L. Brain
Ph. D., Prof, of Anthropology. - State Univer
sity College, Dept, of Anthropology, New Paltz,
New York, 12561, USA
Contents
Introduction
1. Luguru Culture
2. Birth and Childhood
3. Initiation
a) Jando
b) Ng’hula
4. Discussion
a) Structural-Functional
b) A Psychoanalytic Interpretation
Introduction
In this paper I shall describe the rites performed for boys in Luguru
society, and attempt an interpretation of their symbolic significance and
sociological functions. In a recent article (Brain 1977) I have re-examined
the whole question of initiation rites, and propose to treat this case in the light
°I the ideas developed therein.
Briefly, I see the rites as having both psychological and sociological
lr oportance. Psychologically, they serve to satisfy male envy of female procre-
atl vity (though this is more evident in the case of Luguru girls, whose extremely
* Gratitude is due to those who provided me with this information and helped me
° understand it (so far as I can). I particularly thank Abdallah Kingalu, Yonas Michael,
Upimaki Maliyahela, Amon Hadipetwa, Khadija Musa, Nuru Shabani, Mzee Kambi,
^tzee Digalla, and Ali Muhulo. I am also grateful to the Ford Foundation and Syracuse
University and to the State University of New York for giving me the opportunity to
carry out the research that led to this work.
Anthropos 75. 1980
K. J. Narr
~S 0 I П