⁣“Every year during the month of January, the Makonde community in Maputo celebrates an initiation ritual from a ceremony that lasts a weekend.

For a few weeks young people have been trained for their transition from the world of childhood to the adult. They are prepared for adult life and marriage in every way.

In this ceremony the young people who are initiated for their transit from girls to women and from boys to men, are tested from an oil made with plants, where the spirit of the plant will reveal from a straight line or deviated the virginity or non-virginity of each young person. Once these young people are tested, they will make a demonstration of traditional dance where the Mapiko (spirit of the tribe) will manifest itself through the body of a chosen one. After the dance demonstrations, the celebrations continue at home with the families.

This ceremony is just a sample of how rich Mozambican culture is in its traditions and culture and how important rituals and connection with ancestors are for the people.”

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