The Bagishu people in Uganda are a group of Bantu speaking people in Africa. They live on the slopes of Mt Elgon in Eastern Uganda bordering Kenya. They are agriculturalist mainly and their main cash crop is coffee.Although much of their traditional beliefs have changed, their love for circumcision has not changed since time immemorial.
On this article we will give you detailed information about the origin of circumcision among Bagishu men and how the whole practice is performed.The actual origin of this practice is mysterious even among the Bagishu themselves.One tradition states that it originated from the demand by the Barwa (Kalenjin) when Masaba, the Bagishu hero ancestor, wanted to marry a Kalenjin girl.
Another tradition claims that the first person to be circumcised had a complication with his sexual organ and the circumcision started as a surgical operation to save the man’s life.There is also a story that the first person to be circumcised had as a punishment for seducing other people’s wives.
Legend has it that it was decided to castrate him by a way of circumcision. When he recovered, he resumed his former practices and rumour went around that he was excellent at it.In order to compete favourably, other men decide to circumcise also.The Bagishu are a highly superstitious people. Before circumcision, and initiate is administered with herbs called ityanyi.
Its purpose is to arouse interest on circumcision within the candidate.Often, itenyi is tied round the initiate’s big toe or it is put in such a place where he might jump over it unawares. It is believed that if a candidate who has taken itenyi is delayed, or hindered from being circumcised, he might end up circumcising himself as his mind is said to be so much stimulated towards circumcision that no other thing can distract him.
Circumcision among the Bagishu occurs bi-annually during leap years. Every male has to perform the ritual upon reaching puberty.Those who abscond are hunted down and forcefully and scornfully circumcised.
Before the day of circumcision, the initiates are tuned up by having them walk and dance around villages for three days. Their relatives dance with them and there is much drumming and singing.Girls, especially the sisters of the initiates, enthusiastically take parting the processions.It is believed that once a boy is circumcised he becomes a true Mugishu and a mature person.An uncircumcised one is called a MusaniOn the day of circumcision, the initiates are assembled together in a semi-circle. The operation on each initiate is pretty fast.
The circumciser and his assistant move around performing the ritual as appropriate. The assistant circumciser pulls the fore skin off the penis and the circumciser cuts off.The circumciser goes further and cuts from the penis another layer which is believed to develop into another top cover for the penis if it is not removed.
The circumciser proceeds and cuts off a certain muscle on the lower part of the pennies. These cuttings end the circumcision ritual.After circumcision, the initiate is made to sit down on a stool and he is then wrapped in a piece of cloth. After that he is taken to his father’s house and made to move around the house before entering it.
For three days, the initiate is not allowed to eat with his hands. He is fed. They say that it is because he is not yet fully initiated into manhood.After three days, the circumciser is invited to perform the ritual of washing the initiate’s hands. It is after this ritual that the initiate can eat with his hands.
On the same day, the initiate is declared a man. It is then that the custom allows him to marry.During the ceremony, the initiate is instructed on the duties and demands of man hood. He is informed in addition that agriculture is very important and advised to always behave like a man.It is believed that the healing of the cuts depends on how many goats have been slaughtered during the circumcision. After healing, a ritual is performed. All the new initiates in the locality have to attend. This ritual is called Iremba.It is an important ceremony which all village people these days even government officials attend.
During ritual proceedings, the initiate could pick any girl and have sexual intercourse with her, the girl was not supposed to refuse. It is believed that if a girl refused, she would never have children when she got married.Previously, circumcision was done in specific enclosures and only the initiates and the circumcisers were allowed in. The rest of the congregation would just wait and listen from the outside enclosure. Today, however, all people are allowed to watch the whole process. Firmness and courageous endures on the part of the initiate is appreciated as a sign of bravery.
