Kusasa Fumbi (Sexual Cleansing) Documentaries

In the remote southern regions of Malawi, a deeply entrenched cultural practice known as kusasa fumbi—or “brushing off the dust”—continues to endanger the lives of young girls. This ritual, which involves parents paying sex workers to sleep with their daughters once they reach puberty, is justified by village elders as a tradition marking the passage to womanhood. However, the consequences are devastating, exposing girls to sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and lifelong trauma.  


 

The Ritual and Its Consequences  

The kusasa fumbi ritual is rooted in the belief that it prepares young girls to become “good wives” and protects them from disease or misfortune. In reality, it does the opposite. Girls as young as 12 are forced into unprotected sexual intercourse with men known as *hyenas*, often chosen by their parents or village elders. These men, who are paid for their role, are seen as fulfilling a cultural duty, but the practice leaves girls vulnerable to HIV and other STIs in a country where 10% of the adult population is HIV-positive.  

One victim, Chifuno Kondowe, was just 16 when she was forced into the ritual. She recalls being taken at night, blindfolded, and assaulted by a man while village elders instructed her not to resist. “I feel like I was raped,” she says. Today, Chifuno is a mother to a 9-month-old boy, a result of the forced intercourse. Expelled from school due to her pregnancy, she feels her future has been stolen.  
 

The Role of ‘Hyenas’ and the Initiation Camps  

The men who perform the ritual, referred to as hyenas, operate under the cover of darkness to avoid identification. One hyena, who agreed to speak anonymously, admitted that the girls are often unwilling participants. “I know the girl is not happy at all, but she does so because that’s our tradition,” he said. Shockingly, some hyenas are HIV-positive, yet they continue to engage in the practice, putting girls at even greater risk.  

Before meeting the hyenas, girls are sent to sexual initiation camps run by elder women. Over several days, they are taught how to “satisfy a man” with no regard for their own well-being or consent. These camps perpetuate harmful gender norms, reinforcing the idea that a woman’s worth lies in her ability to please a man.  
 

Government and NGO Efforts to Combat the Practice  

In 2006, the Malawian government outlawed the hyena tradition, recognizing its dangers. However, enforcing the law in remote areas where local customs prevail remains a challenge. Traditional chiefs and NGOs are now playing a crucial role in changing mentalities.  

Chief Theresa Kachindamoto, a district chief in southern Malawi, has been a pioneer in the fight against the practice. Having experienced the ritual herself as a child, she is determined to protect young girls. Through community meetings and strict enforcement of laws, she has successfully eradicated the practice in her district.  

NGOs are also working to educate communities about the risks of early and forced sexual activity. In schools, sex education classes are being introduced to teach teenagers about STIs, HIV, and the importance of consent. These classes empower girls to resist harmful traditions and advocate for change in their communities.  
 

A Long Road Ahead   

Despite these efforts, the kusasa fumbi ritual persists in some areas, particularly in the southern regions of Malawi. Girls like Chifuno Kondowe continue to suffer the consequences, facing stigma, poverty, and limited opportunities. Chifuno, however, remains determined to rebuild her life. “My only wish is to go back to school,” she says. “I want to finish my studies and become a nurse, to be an independent woman far from these traditions.”  

The fight against kusasa fumbi is far from over. It requires not only legal action but also a shift in cultural attitudes and a commitment to protecting the rights and futures of Malawi’s young girls. As awareness grows, there is hope that this harmful tradition will one day be eradicated, allowing girls to thrive free from violence and exploitation. 

In the heart of rural Malawi, a deeply entrenched cultural practice known as Kusasa Fumbi—translated as "cleansing the dust"—continues to shape the lives of young girls in profound and often devastating ways. This powerful documentary follows the story of Chimwala, a bright 16-year-old girl, who becomes a reluctant participant in this controversial sexual cleansing ritual.

Despite Chimwala’s protests, her relatives—led by her aunties—arrange the ceremony as a rite of passage into womanhood, believing it will prepare her for adulthood and marriage. Tradition dictates that a man, known as a "hyena," performs the ritual by engaging in sexual intercourse with the girl. The chosen hyena, an older man with a reputation for such acts, is more than twice Chimwala’s age.


Through Chimwala’s story, the documentary sheds light on the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of this practice, exploring the tension between cultural tradition and individual rights. It captures the quiet resilience of a girl yearning for agency in a world where her voice is silenced by familial and societal expectations.

Combining intimate interviews with Chimwala, her family, local activists, and cultural leaders, "Chimwala's Silence" unveils the complex web of beliefs, power, and patriarchy that sustains Kusasa Fumbi. The film also highlights the efforts of grassroots organizations and brave individuals working to challenge these harmful traditions and advocate for the rights and futures of young girls like Chimwala.

At once heart-wrenching and hopeful, "Chimwala's Silence" is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by countless girls around the world, while celebrating the resilience of those fighting for change.