- Ritual
- Chinamwali（女子の成長儀礼）
- Region and community
- マラウイ・マセコ・ンゴニ社会
- Age at the cultural rite
- Variable or not confirmed in the source
- Transition conditions
- Community initiation / Menarche or physical maturity / New social responsibilities / Marriage-linked transition
- Legal age of majority
- MalawiGeneral civil age of majority remains unidentified · The constitution defines a child as a person under 18. General civil majority remains unidentified.Malawi · Law and supporting sources
About the rite
Among the Maseko Ngoni in Malawi’s Ntcheu District, Chinamwali teaches adolescent girls about womanhood, health, family life and their place in the community. World Vision reported in 2025 that initiation continued and that some practices raised concerns about early marriage, leaving school and girls’ health and rights.
Traditional leaders, community members and public agencies began revising the teachings in 2023. In September 2025 they introduced a common curriculum emphasizing girls’ rights, staying in school, delaying marriage, health and hygiene.
Related rites
