The female initiation tradition associated with the Swahili-speaking coast of East Africa is called Unyago.
Unyago is a girls’ and women’s initiation tradition found in parts of coastal East Africa, including communities influenced by Swahili culture. Traditionally, older women guide initiates through lessons about adulthood, relationships, marriage, household responsibilities, sexuality, and expected social conduct.
Instruction may take place in seclusion and can involve songs, dances, bodily decoration, and specialized teaching. The tradition has never been completely uniform: local communities have shaped its duration, content, and relationship with Islam and other institutions.
Unyago is frequently paired with Jando in discussions of East African initiation, but the terms refer to different gendered traditions. Jando is generally associated with male initiation, whereas Unyago is associated with female initiation. Contemporary forms may emphasize cultural education while rejecting harmful practices.