A reinterpretation of cultural ceremonies among the mandjacu people of Guinea-Bissau: the case of itchap

o caso de Itchap

Abstract

The relationship between the living and the dead in various Mandjacu communities of Guinea-Bissau is mediated through a range of ceremonial practices, among which itchap stands out as a material, spiritual, and, in some instances, political representation of a deceased individual. This posthumous representation unfolds in several stages, one of which involves determining who may be eligible for such commemoration. This article aims to offer a reinterpretation of the itchap ceremony within the Mandjacu ethnic group, focusing specifically on the communities of Tchur, Babok, and Plundu, with particular attention to the criteria that govern eligibility for representation. The study draws upon bibliographic research and fieldwork conducted in the Plundu community. Findings reveal both convergences and divergences in the execution of the ceremony across the studied communities. It is concluded that, although these three communities belong to the same social group and share the same ritual framework, variations in practice reflect the internal diversity of the Mandjacu people, thereby challenging homogenizing and generalized interpretations of the itchap ceremony across Mandjacu communities.