INITIATION KITI'IS OF THE J!APED[. 565 



to die out as^ain until the close of the ceremonies about three 

 months later.* 



When the Initiates are brought to the enclosure, one of their 

 number is chosen as Mashitcii (lit., " The Shining One") or 

 Guardian of the sacred flame, and to him is entrusted the task of 

 replenishing the fire, and preserving the flame intact. The sacred 

 Are is called Taiiana ( Little Tj'on ). In order to ensure its pre- 

 servation the Mashitcit keeps a stock tire, using logs of rooi-hos 

 (one of the Combretacect ) as fuel. During the day, when the 

 boys are out hunting, the Mashiicu carries a bm"ning log' about 

 with him as a further precaution, and the Midill. always on the 

 watch for any excuse for ill-treating the Badikaiia, keep a sharp 

 eye on him, and give him no oi)i)ortunity of letting^ the tire die out. 



As soon as the Mphato has been completed, the Initiates are 

 brought in. each one bearing a bundle of firewood. One of the 

 most stringent rules is that everybody must enter the Mphato 

 before simset. On their arrival the firewood is stacked, and the 

 psalm Kijau Madikami is sung by all who are present. A place 

 by the fireside is then allotted t(j each Initiate, to be retained till 

 the Lodge is closed. 



In the meanwhile, about the time the party is returning to 

 the Mplialo. all the \oung girls of the kraal assemble in the space 

 before the Chief's hut, bringing their grinding stones, and grind 

 Kaffir-corn for the use of those taking j^art in the ceremonies. 

 The meal is then cooked in big pots. Wooden dishes are scrubbed 

 until they are scrupulously clean, and then painted white with 

 mofaga (lime). W^hen it is cooked, porridge is heaped on each 

 dish, and carried by the girls to a spot some distance from the 

 Lodge. ( )n their arrival they shout " Rca robcga " ( We are 

 heavy), and Midifi come out to meet them and relieve them of 

 their biuxlens. 



When the Miditi enter the Lodge, the\- ]mt the dishes of pap 

 on one side. The Initiates are made to kneel in a semicircle, and 

 each Modifl washes the hands of the Modikana under his care. 

 This ceremonial washing is called Go tsakatsa, and is performed 

 with a tJuttsi, or brush, made from the stem of the Baviaan 

 siaart (Plate 20). The tlvutsi is dipped into a pot of water 

 (klietlo), and then the hands of the Initiate are scrubbed with it. 

 When this has been done the Modifi says " Kgoiiia!" The Ini- 

 tiate replies by holding out his left hand, fingers and tlumibs 

 pointing upwards, and with all the tips close together. He is then 

 struck a sharp blow^ across the finger tips. 



The Modifi then says : " Kc gofc selcpc " ( I will give y(ni a 

 hatchet). The Initiate replies by leaning back with his chin up 

 in the air. thus exposing his throat, and another blow is struck 

 across the " Adam's apple." 



This ceremony over, they repair to the eating-place, and the 

 Miditi serve out porridge with flat slabs of wood. The Initiates 



* See tliis volume, pp. 254, 255, " B;ii>ananoa Rites," Appendix. Note fl. 



