Girl undergoes traditional ritual to mark womanhood

By LOTTIE WAYAGURE
IT is an important time in the life of a girl when she reaches puberty.
On Sunday, Selina Hove, 14, underwent a traditional ritual to mark her transition into womanhood.
The ritual called haus meri is special to her Jenesis family from Lufa in the Eastern Highlands.
In fact it is understood that only the people of Eastern Highlanders practise it.
People from her village living in Port Moresby joined the ritual at her family home, singing and later sharing a feast with Selina.
Her mother Rose explains that the family wanted Selina to experience an age-old family tradition.
“It is part of our culture to celebrate when one of our daughters leave their childhood behind and transform into a young woman,” Rose said.
The ritual involves confining the young girl in a room away from the public when she has her first mensuration. Her only companions are girls of her age.
“Selina was kept in her room for three days accompanied by other girls her age.”
In the old days, the girls are kept in solitude for up to two months. But the length of time has since been reduced, according to Rose.
“We made a slight change because my husband and I understand that this is an expensive exercise.”
She explains that while Selina was kept in her room, relatives and friends came to sing and chant in their language from dusk till dawn. They call it the haus singsing.
During the three days, Selina had to follow certain rules.
One is to keep her voice down while talking to her friends in her room so as not to be heard by people outside. She also is not allowed to drink water.
And she is to stay in the room all the time.
She is only allowed to step outside on the third and final day of the haus meri.
During those days in solitude, other old women and Rose taught her how a woman should behave and how to carry out her responsibilities. “One of the main reasons why we waited until her school holidays is because she can’t be seen by males until the last day of the ritual,” Rose said.
On the final day of the ritual, she dressed in traditional attire with money tucked into her arm bands and head dress.
She was then led to the feast area where family members, relatives and friends waited for her.
She felt relieved the three-day ritual was finally over.
“I felt awkward walking out into a crowd of people who were all there to see me.
“But I understand that it’s my culture and tradition.”
Selina will be doing Grade Eight at the Waigani Primary School next year.