Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the rituals celebrated by kinsmen at death, at the puberty and marriage of a girl, at birth, especially twin birth, and in misfortune. It then deals with the communal rituals celebrated before the annual break of the rains; whenever public misfortune such as drought, flood, famine, or plague occurs or threatens; before battle; and when a chief is succeeded by his sons, and the younger generation take over power from their elders. The book are describes the rituals of the main cultural groups of the Nyakyusa—those of the people of Selya and Masoko and the Lake-shore plain which are similar, and those of the Kukwe which are different, and a few references are made to other variations.