S212043927

Efundula ritual

Introduction

"Efundula" is a traditional ritual performed by the Ovawambo people of Northern Namibia. The ritual is a traditional practice which is done to prepare girls from the age of 17 for womanhood including marriage and womanly duties. Efundula is done mostly in the two northern regions of Namibia namely Ohangwena region & Omusati region but not excluding Oshikoto region and Oshana Region. Efundula is sometimes referred to as “Olufuko”. The two most prominent Oshiwambo speaking tribes that practice this ritual are the Kwanyamas,Mbalantu and Mbadjas. The Efundula ritual is sometime referred to by the Oshikwanyama speaking Oshiwambo people as “Efundula lomeengoma”, which might be translated as "marriage of\with drums".

The process

The Efundula ritual is mostly characterized by massive noise of drumming, dancing and singing of traditional songs, "oiimbo yonsuululwakalo". the ritual is carried out in the villages and attracts many spectators and participants. The parents of young girls are the ones who decide whether their daughter is to go for "olukufuko" or not. The ritual is carried out by an elderly authorised woman called a "namunganga". The girls partaking in the efundula ritual are called "aafuko", and they wear traditional skirt called "eenguwo", which are made from animal skin or "eedelela". They are accompanied by "ounona weendunga". "Ounona weendunga", are local fruits called "eendunga", which grow on palm trees called "omilunga". The drummers are boys from the participating villages and they are called "eengoleka". The ritual is carried out at only one homestead in a village and there cannot exist two homestead in the same village were "efundula" can be carried out. During the ritual some of the girls immediately find husbands who's uncles or fathers have to pay cattle or mahangu to keep the girl as their son or nephews wife.

Criticisms

The efundula ritual has been a well known and respected Oshiwambo ritual, but it is loosing its value and respect because it is considered to be a violation of human rights. Critics believe that "efundula or olufuko" is a violation of the young girls human rights as the girls are made to take part in the ritual without their consent and most of the girls are not of legal age. Other critics point out that it is a platform for the spread of HIV/AIDS and other Sexually transmitted disease.