Aspects of moral education in Bhaca mamtiseni and nkciyo initiation rituals

Abstract

The main objective of this mini–dissertation is to investigate the basic form and content of moral education as it manifests itself in the mamtiseni and nkciyo female initiation rituals of the Mount Frere region of the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. The main theoretical position taken is the reemergent African Renaissance coupled with African indigenous knowledge systems, first revived by (former) President Thabo Mbeki. Accordingly the main purpose of this study is to address the transmission of moral aspects of female Bhaca initiation inherent in behavioural/cultural educational enculturation. The main findings of the mini–dissertation constitute the following: 1. Mamtiseni and nkciyo rituals play a major role in the enculturation of young Bhaca girls. 2. The song texts carry strong messages of how to go about achieving a healthy and surviving society. There are further opportunities for research in the following aspects: 1. Nkciyo initiation schools are very exclusive, involving many secret codes. The fact that I am a male put me at a disadvantage. 2. There are many more points of difference between the two rituals than meets the eye.