Zambia Philately: Makishi

The Makishi is a masked character that represents the spirit of a deceased ancestor that returns to the earthly realm to help the boys transition into adulthood. These Makishi masquerades, ancestral spirits, are a fundamental part of the ritual and serve to link the ancient past with the present. The characters are adorned in vibrant and intricate masks, and they embody spiritual wisdom that serves a mentorship role in the initiates transition.

The Makishi masquerade is performed at the end of the mukanda, an annual initiation ritual for boys between the ages of eight and twelve. This ritual is celebrated by the Vaka Chiyama Cha Mukwamayi communities, which include the Luvale, Chokwe, Luchazi and Mbunda peoples, who live in the northwestern and western provinces of Zambia.

Usually at the beginning of the dry season, the young boys leave their homes and live for one to three months in an isolated bush camp. This separation from the outside world marks their symbolic death as children. The mukanda involves the circumcision of the initiates, tests of courage and lessons on their future role as men and husbands. Each initiate is assigned a specific masked character, which remains with him throughout the entire process.