A Christian Approach to Traditional Male Circumcision Customs in Malawi
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1999 A Christian Approach to Traditional Male Circumcision Customs in Malawi Harry Godfrey Mtike Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Mtike, Harry Godfrey, "A Christian Approach to Traditional Male Circumcision Customs in Malawi" (1999). Dissertation Projects DMin. 584. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/584 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION CUSTOMS IN MALAWI by Harry Godfrey Mtike Adviser: Jon Dybdahl ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION CUSTOMS IN MALAWI Name of researcher: Harry Godfrey Mtike Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jon Dybdahl, Ph.D. Date completed: May 1999 Problem The Lorn we and Yao tribes in Malawi practice traditional male circumcision rituals which are damaging the Malawian society. While these rituals have value and fill key functions in society, they are at the same time troublesome. The lack of proper medical equipment and training in performing actual circumcision, as well as accompanying teachings which encourage sexual promiscuity, makes these ceremonies physically, spiritually, and morally dangerous. The AIDS epidemic in Malawi can also be partly traced to these rituals. This study seeks to find a Christian answer which preserves the value of these practices while avoiding the problems connected with them. Discussion The circumcision rituals and beliefs of the Lomwe and Yao tribes are described. Based on personal interviews of people who have been directly involved with the circumcisions, this dissertation details the activities which take place before, during, and after the circumcision, along with the teachings which are passed on to the circumcision initiates during the ceremony. In order to provide a comparative basis, the Old Testament and New Testament circumcision practices and teachings are also described. The relationship of biblical circumcision to the Old and New Covenants between God and His people is especially emphasized. Through a contrast of the Malawian and Jewish circumcision rituals, this study highlights the dangers which traditional Lomwe and Yao circumcisions pose to the social and spiritual structures in Malawi. The current Malawian trends in AIDS, physiological injuries, and moral decline indicate that, unless the circumcision issues are addressed, the social and cultural conditions in Malawi will only continue to worsen. Recommendations The SDA church must allow and encourage the Lomwe and Yao people to address the dangers of circumcision in an culturally sensitive manner which preserves their heritage while avoiding physical dangers and moral decline. This study presents a six-step process of change which will enable the SDA church and the Malawian people to cooperatively explore options and make plans for dealing with the dangerous aspects of the circumcision rituals and teachings. This study concludes with a series of recommendations through which the SDA church could encourage its leaders and members, the Lomwe and Yao communities, and the Malawian government to cooperatively equip the Malawian people with the information and skills they need to improve and preserve their society. Possible substitution practices are also suggested. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION CUSTOMS IN MALAWI A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Harry Godfrey Mtike May 1999 A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO TRADITIONAL MALE CIRCUMCISION CUSTOMS IN MALAWI A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Harry Godfrey Mtike TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Problem..................................................................................1 Purpose.............................................................................................................. 3 Justification and Significance .......................................................................... 4 Sources and Methodology............................................................................... 5 Structure and Outline.........................................................................................5 2. A BRIEF SURVEY OF MALAW I............................ 8 Introduction....................................................................................................... 8 Geography..........................................................................................................8 Historical Background...................................................................................... 9 Pre-Bantu P eriod..........................................................................................10 Proto-Bantu Period....................................................................................... 11 Bantu Period.................................................................................................12 History of Christianity in Malawi ..................................................................13 Slave T rading.............................................................................................. 13 First Missionary Expedition.........................................................................14 Entry of Organized Christianity..................................................................16 Anglican Church (UM CA)..................................................................17 United Free Church of Scotland (Livingstonia Mission) ..................19 Church of Scotland (Blantyre Mission)................... 21 Dutch Reformed Church ....................................................................23 Roman Catholic Church.................................................. 24 Islam ..................................................................................................... 27 Seventh Day Baptist Church...............................................................28 Seventh-day Adventist Church ....................................................... 29 Independence from Organized Christianity.................................................32 Providence Industrial M ission............................................................ 33 Watch Tower Movement ....................................................................35 Other Independent Churches...............................................................35 Conditions in Modem Malawi.........................................................................36 iii Major Tribes................................................................................................ 36 Cultural R ituals............................................................................................38 3. CIRCUMCISION RITUALS AND TEACHINGS OF THE LOMWE AND YAO TRIBES ............................................ 41 Introduction.....................................................................................................41 Rites of Passage..............................................................................................42 Constraints....................................................................................................... 44 The Lomwe Tribe .........................................................................................47 History..........................................................................................................47 Circumcision................................................................................................ 49 Rituals before Circumcision ...............................................................50 Rituals during Circumcision...............................................................52 Rituals after Circumcision................................................................. 54 Circumcision Teachings......................................................................55 The Yao T rib e ................................................................................................ 62 History..........................................................................................................62 Circumcision................................................................................................ 65 Rituals before Circumcision ...............................................................65 Rituals during Circumcision...............................................................67 Rituals after Circumcision ................................................................. 68 Circumcision Teachings......................................................................69 Conclusion......................................................................................................