The Makishi Masquerade

　　Proclamation: 2005

　　Member State(s): Zambia

　　Region: Africa

　　Associated themes: Rituals and festive events; Performing arts

　　The Makishi masquerade is performed at the end of the mukanda, an initiation ritual for boys between the ages of 8 and 12. This ritual is celebrated by the Vaka Chiyama Cha Mukwamayi communities, to which the Luvale, Chokwe, Luchazi and Mbunda people belong, who live in the northwestern and western provinces of Zambia.

　　Usually at the beginning of the dry season, the young boys leave their homes and live for one to three months at a bush camp away from their villages. The young boys' separation from the outside world is to mark their symbolic death as children. While in the initiation camp, the initiates are referred to as tundanji, who do not belong to the world of the living. The mukanda involves the circumcision of the initiates, tests of courage and lessons on their future role as men and husbands. Each initiate is assigned a specific masked character, who is with him throughout the entire process. These characters include Chisaluke, who represents a powerful and wealthy man with spiritual influence; the Mupala, the "lord" of the mukanda and protective spirit with supernatural abilities; and Pwevo, a female character who represents the ideal woman and is responsible for the musical accompaniment of the rituals and dances. The Makishi is another masked character, representing the spirit of a deceased ancestor who returns to the world of the living to assist the boys.