Lhomwe, Yao Paramount Chiefs for Fit-for Children Messages in Initiation Camps

Lhomwe and Yao Paramount chiefs say they will not allow initiation counsellors to preach harmful cultural messages that encourage children to engage in sexual life in the forthcoming ceremonies.

The traditional leaders agreed that these practices are affecting children's life and education.

Acting paramount chief Kaduya told Zodiak Online on Thursday that they are encouraging parents in the lhomwe belt to go with their children to religious ceremonies where there is strict monitoring of messages.

"My message to the counsellors, they should do what we agreed to desist from telling children to practice sexual life after the camps. But they should encourage them about education and cultural values. Similarly, religious leaders should impart Godly values," Chief Kaduya urged.

While Yao chief, Paramount chief Kawinga said, they have agreed with his subjects and initiation counsellors to ensure that no sexual songs and cleansing messages are encouraged in the camps.

Chief Kawinga has added that no counsellor from outside the belt will also be allowed to avoid delaying the pass-out ceremonies which affect school calendar.

He said: "what we agreed is that there should be a stop to explicit songs,  cleansing messages and even encouraging children to have sexual partners after the camps".

On his part, culture and tradition analyst Ndabazake Thole, has blamed the media for also airing anyhow the messages not fit for children thereby contributing to teen pregnancies and early marriages, such as sexual reproductive messages.

"In the past, our forefathers were practicing these cultural initiatives, but still children were upright morally. So what is happening now the media is also contributing to this. You find that they play messages on radio anyhow for instance, concerning sexual reproductive health; encouraging people to access contraceptives as young as 15 years," he said.

Children especially in those two tribes go to the initiation ceremonies mostly in October after school closure in the third term.

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