Typical haircut and necklaces of a plain Muila woman

This widow will keep the back painting around her eyes for a full year at least

Humbi hairstyle takes 8 hours to create

After being mothers for the first time, the young women of the Ntombe and Ngombe tribes (native from the region of Ecuador in the D. R. of Congo) become Walé (women who breastfeed) and begin a life of seclusion in which they will spend several years dedicating themselves exclusively to the care of their children. When a woman has a baby and becomes a Walé, she leaves her husband and moves to her mother's hut, where she will remain confined. There, she will carry out her initiation as a mother and as a woman. A few months later, the rules become softer. They can come and go, as long as they are accompanied by their 'bodyguards' (women of the family, whether they are sisters, aunts, young men or girls), since it is necessary that there are witnesses who watch over Walé at all times, especially if they are relate to some man.

After being mothers for the first time, the young women of the Ntombe and Ngombe tribes (native from the region of Ecuador in the D. R. of Congo) become Walé (women who breastfeed) and begin a life of seclusion in which they will spend several years dedicating themselves exclusively to the care of their children. When a woman has a baby and becomes a Walé, she leaves her husband and moves to her mother's hut, where she will remain confined. There, she will carry out her initiation as a mother and as a woman. A few months later, the rules become softer. They can come and go, as long as they are accompanied by their 'bodyguards' (women of the family, whether they are sisters, aunts, young men or girls), since it is necessary that there are witnesses who watch over Walé at all times, especially if they are relate to some man.