Scatalogical license: The case of ribald references and sexual insults in the amaculo omgonqo (puberty songs)

Abstract

This article focuses on a form of song still widely practised in rural areas, called amaculo omgonqo ‘puberty songs’. These songs are normally sung in the days preceding two rites of passage ceremonies; firstly the umhlonyane ceremony, which is held to mark a young girl’s first menstruation during her puberty years, and secondly, approximately 10 years later, the umemulo ‘coming of age’ ceremony which is held for young girls who have reached marriageable age. An investigation is made of the unusual use of scatalogical and ribald language in these songs, which are sung by young girls before these two ceremonies. Scatological references refer to off-colour language alluding specifically to body parts and functions often with a sexual underpinning. No adults are present when this scatological type of language is used, and in situations where young males are present with the young females, the girls may sing songs targeting certain males.

S.Afr.J.Afr.Lang., 31(2) 2011