Singing through Childhood

This chapter explores songs from the vhusha initiation school for young women in Vhavenda communities in South Africa. Songs are the primary mode of educational learning in Vhavenda initiation schools and this chapter provides a brief introduction to the vhusha initiation school and some typical songs found in the multi-day ritual. The chapter shares some of the deeper meanings found in the song lyrics and demonstrates how songs are used to teach socio-cultural lessons to young initiates.