Circumcision in Africa

"The distribution of circumcision and initiation rites throughout Africa, and the frequent resemblance between details of ceremonial procedure in areas thousands of miles apart, indicate that the circumcision ritual has an old tradition behind it and in its present form is the result of a long process of development."[1]

African cultural history is conveniently spoken of in terms of language group. The Niger–Congo speakers of today extend from Senegal to Kenya to South Africa and all points between. In the historic period, the Niger–Congo speaking peoples predominantly have and have had male circumcision which occurred in young warrior initiation schools, the schools of Senegal and Gambia being not so very different from those of the Kenyan Gikuyu and South African Zulu. Their common ancestor was a horticultural group five, perhaps seven, thousand years ago from an area of the Cross River in modern Nigeria. From that area a horticultural frontier moved outward into West Africa and the Congo Basin. Certainly the warrior schools with male circumcision were a part of the ancestral society's cultural repertoire.[2]

Areas In Africa Where Circumcision Occurs

All Muslims in Africa become circumcised. This remaining section covers other tribal related circumcisions as well as stigmatization of Intact men.

Ethiopia

There has been a "Safe" Male Circumcision Presentation at the ICASA Conference in Ethiopia.

Gambia

All boys must be circumcised, but they wait until at least 8 years until they are "Initiated".

Ghana

In Ghana, it is almost unanimous that men must be circumcised. The only time intact men are considered acceptable is when they have royal heritage. The remaining male population are ridiculed by a derogatory slang, "bolobolo", or "Kortibortor". When interviewed, most women stated that they would never marry a man who is intact while others believed there are no intact men in Ghana. Of all those interviewed except one man believed that circumcision was medically necessary to control disease. During an opinion poll from TV3 Midday Live newscast, Children in Ghana who were not circumcised reportedly saying they wanted to be circumcised after being told about the advantages of circumcision. None of the boys replied directly to the camera. Other opinion polls involved women stating they would demand their husband to be circumcised or end the marriage.

Kenya

In traditional circumcisions, often the same knife is used for many initiates.[3][4] This is thought to contribute to the spread of HIV.

In addition to traditional circumcision, the men of Africa enjoyed "benefits" such as young men became members of the warrior class, and were free to date and marry. The graduates became a fraternity which served together, and continued to have mutual obligation to each other for life.

In the modern context in East Africa, the physical element of male circumcision remains (in the societies that have historically practiced it) but without most of the other accompanying rites, context and programs. For many, the operation is now performed in private on one individual, in a hospital or doctor's office. Anesthesia is often used in such settings. There are tribes however, that do not accept this modernized practice. They insist on circumcision in a group ceremony, and a test of courage at the banks of a river. This more traditional approach is common amongst the Meru and the Kisii tribes of Kenya.[2] One boy in Meru County, Kenya was assaulted by other boys because they wanted him to be circumcised in a traditional ceremony as opposed to in a hospital.[5] Amongst the Gikuyu (Kikuyu) people of Kenya and the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, male circumcision has historically been the graduation element of an educational program which taught tribal beliefs, practices, culture, religion and history to youth who were on the verge of becoming full-fledged members of society. The circumcision ceremony was very public, and required a display of courage under the knife in order to maintain the honor and prestige of the young man and his family. The only form of anesthesia was a bath in the cold morning waters of a river, which tended to numb the senses to a minor degree. The youths being circumcised were required to maintain a stoic expression and not to flinch from the pain.[2]

Despite the loss of the rites and ceremonies that accompanied male circumcision in the past, the physical operation remains crucial to personal identity and pride, and acceptance in society. Uncircumcised men in these communities risk being "outed", and subjected to ridicule as "boys". There have been many cases of forced circumcision of men from such communities who are discovered to have escaped the ritual. Those who do not want to be circumcised seek refuge in Kenya's police stations.[6]

Traditional circumcision is practiced among the Bukusu people of Kenya.[7][8][9] These are a Bantu people, located in Western Kenya.[10] Ceremonies usually take place in August. They involve the use of mud. This is used to prevent excessive bleeding after the cut, to prevent wincing, and to commemorate a traditional legend.[11]

Circumcision still occurs in Kenya, where teenage street boys are being kidnapped and circumcised under dangerous and unsanitary conditions, often with non-surgical knives. A mini documentary "Knife Of Greed" had raised awareness of this controversy. Other boys and men are circumcised medically, but still became infected with HIV.

Morocco

Circumcision had been performed by barbers. This is now performed by medical surgeons. Circumcision of almost two-year-old at the time prince Moulay Hassan prompted thousands of other young boys to be circumcised. The procedure is considered "purification" (t'hara) by Muslims. [12]

Rwanda

Rwanda previously had a lower rate of curcumcision, similar to South Africa. Both nations have been introduced a "safe" PrePex device which claims to involves no pain nor bleeding. The Government Of Rwanda wishes to fight HIV. However, complications have occurred after a few of the circumcisions, including death. Rwanda Ministry Of Health denies that the deaths occurred from the result of circumcision.[13]

South Africa

In some South African ethnic groups, circumcision has roots in several belief systems, and is performed most of the time on teenage boys:

The young men in the eastern Cape belong to the Xhosa ethnic group for whom circumcision is considered part of the passage into manhood. ... A law was recently introduced requiring initiation schools to be licensed and only allowing circumcisions to be performed on youths aged 18 and older. But Eastern Cape provincial Health Department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo told Reuters news agency that boys as young as 11 had died. Each year thousands of young men go into the bush alone, without water, to attend initiation schools. Many do not survive the ordeal.[14]

According to one article, as of December 2015, 10 million men have undergone voluntary circumcision in East and Southern Africa. since 2008.[15]

Despite the awareness raised about the negative effects of circumcision, and despite the fact that there is a strong Chinese and Brazilian influence in Africa (Neither nations generally practice circumcision.) Other organizations such as World Health Organization insist on circumcision of all African males, stating a wish to control disease. South Africa's circumcision rate is expected to increase due to the introduction of "safe" circumcision devices. Some South Africans considered boycotting the devices.[16]

Tanzania

Amongst the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania, male circumcision has historically been the graduation element of an educational program which taught tribal beliefs, practices, culture, religion and history to youth who were on the verge of becoming full-fledged members of society. The circumcision ceremony was very public, and required a display of courage under the knife in order to maintain the honor and prestige of the young man and his family. The only form of anesthesia was a bath in the cold morning waters of a river, which tended to numb the senses to a minor degree. The youths being circumcised were required to maintain a stoic expression and not to flinch from the pain.[2]

Uganda

The Gisu people of Uganda are closely related to the Bukusu and also practice circumcision. In Uganda, a circumcision ceremony is called Imbalu.[17][18]

Zambia

In Zambia there is a circumcision programme underway because some believe it could reduce HIV.[19]

Areas In Africa Where Circumcision Does Not Occur

The Luo, the tribe Barack Obama belongs to, do not circumcise.[2]

Male circumcision in East Africa is a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood, but is only practiced in some nations (tribes). Some peoples in East Africa do not practice male circumcision (for example the Luo of western Kenya).[2]

The Turkana tribe do not perform ritual circumcision.[6]

Bantu circumcisions have been declining.[20]

Barack Obama launched a hygiene program as an alternative to circumcision. The reason why this program was launched is because Black African Males did not want to be circumcised.[21] However, this hygiene program only occurred in 2009-2010 and did not replace the circumcision efforts.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Wagner, G. (1949). The Bantu of North Kavirondo. London: International African Institute.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Marck, Jeff (1997). "Aspects of male circumcision in sub-equatorial African culture history" (PDF). Health Transition Review (7 Supplement): 337–359.
  3. ↑ Maino, Eric. "Traditional circumcision a health hazard". Newsfromafrica.
  4. ↑ Marck, Jeff (1997). "Aspects of male circumcision in sub-equatorial African culture history" (PDF). Health Transition Review (7 Supplement): 348.
  5. ↑ "Class 7 pupil injured after forceful traditional circumcision attempt by other boys". Youtube. Kenya Television Network. 20 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/two-kenyan-tribes-divided-by-the-festival-of-circumcision-9664967.html
  7. ↑ "Circumcision rite among the Bukusu of western Kenya". Youtube. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. 12 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Bukusu Post-Circumcision Rites Continue 3 Months After 'Cut'". Youtube. K24. 21 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "Traditional circumcision season stirs excitement in Bukusu land". Youtube. NTV. 9 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Luhya, Bukusu in Kenya". Joshua Project.
  11. ↑ "SAIJIKI FOR KENYA AND TROPICAL REGIONS". kenyasaijiki blog.
  12. ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/04/15/mass-circumcision-in-morocco.html
  13. ↑ http://www.inyenyerinews.org/human-rights/rwanda-families-blame-circumcision-for-death-of-children/
  14. ↑ "South Africa circumcision deaths". BBC Online. 15 July 2003. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  15. ↑ "Africa: 10 Million Circumcised in East, Southern Africa". http://allafrica.com/. 4 December 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  16. ↑ http://www.timesofisrael.com/south-africans-mull-penis-clamp-ban/
  17. ↑ "Imbalu: Circumcision Party". VICE.
  18. ↑ "Cut it!...Imbalu Ceremony". The Brett Diaspora Blog.
  19. ↑ "Zambia: 7,000 Males Circumcised in Ndola". allafrica.com. 21 October 2015.
  20. ↑ http://www.cirp.org/library/cultural/marck/
  21. ↑ http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/feds-spent-800000-economic-stimulus-african-genital-washing-program-0
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