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Annwareen Ramdin

Professor Spalter 

Sex and Gender 

Ritual

A Nunka girl, upon undergoing her first menstrual period becomes initiated into

womanhood by a spectacular7-day ritual titled the Venza, which is part of the Nunka Ceremony.

The Venza translates "the passage to womanhood," and this term is used to refer tothe ritual.

 Nunka and Venza are used interchangeably when referring both to the girl and the ritual.

Dance islinkedto the ritual. Dance is an aid in strengthening and preserving knowledge,

and teaches everything about the society and it also personifies self-identity. To the Nunka,

religion means ritual. Music is in the ritual. Vocal music is sung by the Nunka. The songs serve

the primary role to preserve order, to organizeritual symbols and pleasure. Song is essential,

optimism, protection, and guidance. It is a way of alteringhindrances into power.

The Venza is performed in the daytime when light is good and beautiful, while night and

darkness are not. Nunkas are active in daytime and static at night as a rule. During the ritual there

is a strong emphasis on repetition of the actions, things are done in three¶s. During the ritual the

Venza learns that the universe must be kept in perfect order. She learns that she is to take care of 

the earth and everything (animal and plant) must be valued and conserved. The earth is the

mother of all life, it provides shelter, nourishment, and produces life.

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During the7-days the ritual demands many regulations and taboos. The girl will be on a

restricted diet, must refrain from touching her own skin, combing and washing her hair, dressing

or undressing herself. Her language and actions will be closely watched as it determines her 

future, all negativity must be avoided and positive mindset should always be at heard to.

Throughout this celebration will be the Nunka, her family, and members of her society

who are all considered participants and helpers. Nunka's duties in action include grinding corn,

racing, preparing a cake called µabutu¶ and these activities are repeated during the day, every day

for those 7 days. She undergoes body moldings, hair washings and combings by a chosen female

aid who will be a lifetime companion who can instruct the girl on proper behavior and

 procedures. The aide reflects the Nunka¶s intention that the ceremony be one of sharing and

caring for others.

Special ornaments are placed on her and the way in which it is put on and removed must

 be performed precisely. Many Nunka girls are painted with a green clay mixture on different

 parts of her body to represent the earth. The painting and costume of shells and other ornaments

depicting Changing Woman are like a mask enabling her to stand out from the others, to aid in

her walk through womanhood.

The girl must race several times each day and the running has its own composition. It

shows a different use of space than the other Venza activities. The area the girl runs may vary

from person to person as will the time selected per race, there is a sense of freedom. The Venza

is a complete action, a transformation that we can see, hear, feel and even smell and taste. The

Venza is movement, which is the source and condition of life.