tsiva uru (ˈʦiva ˈuɾu)

Over the course of their life, the Yibiduri acquire many piercings. Generally, anything that can be pierced will be at some point. Possibly the most imporant to any Yibiduri, male or female, is their first nose chain, or dzune tsiva. At the end of their life, a Yibiduri may have as many as four or more dzune tsiva, depending on their rank and status, but their first is given when they come of age during the tsiva uru or chain joining ceremony.

Execution

1. The Fijuyi blesses those present, the instruments to be used, and the components of the dzune tsiva.
2. The Rinu sits on a stool or chair.
3. The Fijuyi, Ititiyi, and Kinuyi begin to chant the words of ritual, or vubi zasi. The chanting continues until the culmination of the ritual.
4. The Kinuyi marks the points for piercings with red paint. Concentric circles are drawn around each center point until the outer circle from each point intersects the first point.
5. The Ititiyi cleans the points of contact with alcohol or other cleaning agent, being careful to not disturb the the concentric markings. The needles used for the piercings are sterilized in a hot bed of coals and cleaned with alchohol.
6. The left ear is pierced, regardless of existing piercings. This is an indication of the start of a new part of the Rinu's life. The selected ring is inserted.
7. The left nostril is pierced and ring inserted.
8. The Kinuyi joins the two rings with the selected chain with an additional blessing.

At this point the Rinu is ready to begin on their new path in life.

Participants

The Rinu, or candidate, receives the piercing.

The Ititiyi, the one who pierces, does the actual piercing. This is usually a pengudzi of the family of the Rinu.

The Kuniyi is the sponsor for the Rinu. The Kuniyi must be a family member. They can be chosen either by the family or the Rinu, depending on family traditions.

The Fijuyi, the one who blesses, blesses the participants and the ceremony. This must be a penguve of the family, or one of the Gitchyi va Tsadza. Ititiyi may fulfill this role if they are a penguve or gitsu.

Related Ethnicities

• Yibiduri