What qualities does eating dog meat symbolise for initiates?

Question

Accepted Answer

Eating Dog Meat Symbolises the Acquisition of Strength, Hardiness, and Cunning

The consumption of dog meat during the Evala initiation rite symbolises the transfer of specific qualities from the animal to the young men undergoing the ceremony. By eating the meat for the first time in their lives, initiates are believed to internalise the strength, hardiness, and cunning that are characteristic of dogs. This symbolic act is intended to imbue the young men with these traits as they transition into manhood and prepare for the rigorous wrestling matches that form the core of the Evala tradition.
Significance of Dog Attributes

The dog is described as a strong, hardy, and cunning animal, and these are precisely the attributes the Kabye people aim to impart to their initiates through this ritual. Canton chief Achille Samah Bidiwana explained that consuming the dog's meat is a direct method for the initiate to "take on these qualities." This belief underscores the ritual's purpose: to equip young men with the physical and mental fortitude necessary to excel in the wrestling arena and in life.
Ritualistic Context of Consumption

The act of eating dog meat is a specific and significant part of the Evala ceremony, occurring after the initiates have undergone other preliminary rites, such as the creation of small scars near their ears. It is explicitly stated that this is the first time the young men consume dog meat. This novelty of the experience, combined with the symbolic attributes of the animal, marks a profound moment in their transition from boyhood to manhood within the Kabye cultural framework.
Preparation for Wrestling and Manhood

The qualities acquired through the symbolic consumption of dog meat are directly relevant to the subsequent wrestling matches, where initiates must demonstrate strength, endurance, and strategic thinking to overcome their opponents. The Evala tradition, which takes place every mid-July in Togo's Kara region, involves young men aged 18 to 20 wrestling to prove their readiness for adulthood. The success in the arena, where the goal is to floor an opponent, is seen as a direct manifestation of the qualities adopted during the initiation, including those symbolically gained from the dog.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What qualities does eating dog meat symbolise for initiates?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends