Azaghvana E-Book 2003 - Flipbook - Page 528
vavanz skwe. We have already discussed the concept of man skwe, translated as 'handling
ritual treatment', and we will show that it was not only Ɗagha peacemakers who owned
rituals considered skwe, but other Dghweɗe owned them too, and we will discuss man skwe as
a strategy of handling (man) the dangers of ritual treatment (skwe) in the final chapter section.
In this context it is crucial to acknowledge that the concept of man skwe was part of the
Dghweɗe religious view of the world, and it was not seen as simply 'magic', and in that sense
it was profound on a cosmological level and not just a technical means of treatment.
Varieties and ritual ownership of Cissus quadrangularis (vavanza)
This section starts with Table 12a presenting photographs of the more inclusive varieties of
ritual vavanza, which is presumably why we have images of them. Then in Table 12b we
present varieties of more exclusive ritual vavanza for which there were no images available.
Table 12a: Images, description and ritual ownership of Cissus quadrangularis varieties
No
Images listed under Plate 63
Name and description
Ownership
63a
Vavanz gave – this is
the name for ordinary
vavanza, which means
it has no ritual use.
However this does not
imply that it is the
general name for
vavanza but only
distinguishes it from
ritual vavanza.
No specialist or
common ritual
ownership
applies.
63b
Vavanz margarha – the
word margarha means
fear or anxiety. It was
hidden on the body or
rubbed onto the body. If
applied it would create
fear in other people's
hearts. It gave mental
strength and charisma
when speaking in
public. If planted near
the house it would keep
dangerous animals such
as leopards away.
Owned by the
Ɗagha
peacemaker
lineage and
could be bought
from them.
63c
Vavanz rata – rata
means finger millet.
Dghweɗe tie it onto
finger millet (eleusine
coracana) before
harvest to enhance the
yield. It was planted by
women and its flour
mixed in milk could
help to stop the spread
of diarrhoea in children.
Owned by the
Gashiwe
cornblesser
lineage who
distributed it.
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