Historic Dipo Celebration

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           The old custom of the dipo has changed over the years. The dipo had three parts; social, religious, outdooring. It used to be that the ritual process took two to three years. The girls would be brought to Klowεki by their parents, who were their sponsors. They would arrive at Klowεki's and many aspects of their live would change. Their hair would be washed with a herbal mixture called “Tu,” they would wear lion clothes which only covered the lower half of their body, and they would be presented with a coned shaped hat.

           The Social part of the dipo teaches girls home economics. Home economics includes; practical sanitation, sweeping, cleanliness and personal hygiene and handicrafts, weaving, and pottery. After they have spent two-three years leanign all the different aspects of the home, they would be tested. Every time a girl passed a tests she would receive different markings on her skin. Once the girls passed the social part of the dipo, the priests started the religious aspects which was the second part.

Now priest would present the Gods with a gift of libation asking them for a continuous and a prosperous life for all of the girls in this part of the dipo ritual. Then the girls would climb onto a stone and dance to the Klama drumming. If a girl fell off the stone at this point, she would be suspected of pregnancy. If the midwife confirmed the pregnancy the girl would have to leave the tribe. The parents of the girl would need to get rid of the bad omen that she left upon her family. The religious part of the dipo was to teach the girls morality and self-discipline.

            The last part of the dipo is outdooring. Outdooring is when the girls prepare to be sent back into the world. They are taught dances and songs for the celebration. Parents provided one lamb for each girl which would be part of the celebrational feast. The celebration started on Thursday which is Klowεki's sacred day and ended the Monday after. During the celebration the girls dressed with costly clothing and beads, showing off their accomplishments that they had achieved over the past two to three years. The girls were now ready to join society as women. 5.