NyathomThaboOdhong_TraditionOfWomen

Abstract

The sound recording at the center of this item is narrative, explaining an aspect of Shilluk culture. Shilluk traditions govern everyday life. There are norms that must be observed by everybody. Purity is the most feared tradition because it involves fines and punishments. In this narrative, the performer elaborates on the norms that should be observed by women, beginning from the time the girl becomes a woman. And that every woman must teach these norms to her daughter(s). The focus in this narrative is the belief that when a woman is having her monthly period or pregnant (1-5 month), she is unclean, and that she needs to keep away from sick people during this period.