... terrorized animals, whites, and Kikuyus, but also the reportedly gruesome Mau Mau oathing ceremonies in which initiates pledged allegiance to the Mau Mau cause. A Kikuyu schoolmaster gave this account of a ceremony initiating seven members: "We were bound together by goats' small intestines on our shoulders and feet. Then Githinji pricked our right hand middle finger with a needle until it bled ... ...

• Word Count: 4862
• Approx Pages: 19
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... even sharp stones are used to perform this procedure. In villages, instruments used to perform the procedure are usually not sterile. Often many girls are "operated" on during a single ritual ceremony. The practice is generally performed upon girls between the ages of four and twelve. Sierra Loene recounted her traumatic experience at the age of 10: "I was taken to a very dark ... ...

• Word Count: 2909
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... of medicine wrapped round with thread and held in his mouth). The Yoruba also have discharge ceremonies aimed at preventing recurrence of the illness. There are various versions of the ceremony depending on the babalawo and on the cause of the disorder. However, most ceremonies involve the sacrifice of an animal accompanied by incantations. With the Shona, the nganga discovers the ... ...

• Word Count: 2773
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... life within the slave quarters, frequently a slave would call upon his Obeach to punish his enemies, or to cure the sick, they blessed newborns and buried the dead with proper ceremony. As in America the Obeah exerted a great deal of power and influence over the slave population and plantation owners in the Caribbean feared these charismatic religious leaders like their counterparts ... ...

• Word Count: 2095
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate