Info For You Lot Bagisu (Bamasaba) People: Uganda`S Around Fearsome Patriarchal Tribe In Addition To Their Culturally Unique Mbalu Circumcision Ceremony

“Umukhasi umutuufu amanya inda yo museetsa” (A proper adult woman knows the husband’s stomach) Bagisu Proverb.

  Bagisu (Bamasaaba) people: Imbalu candidates trip the calorie-free fantastic the Kadoodi trip the calorie-free fantastic at Mutoto Cultural Grounds exterior Mbale town. Smeared alongside flour together with decorated alongside traditional beads together with bungles, the circumcision candidates trip the calorie-free fantastic inwards grooming for circumcision                             

The Bagisu or Gisu also known every bit Gishu,Bagishu, Masaba or Sokwia are people of the Bantu identify unit of measurement who alive along the slopes of Mount Elgon (also called Mount Masaba) inwards Mbale District eastern Uganda. H5N1 someone of Bagisu tribe is called Mugisu together with everything associated alongside the Bagisu including their culture, tradition, values together with  property  are also known every bit Kigisu. As such, i tin can verbalise of Kigisu music, Kigisu dances or kigisu culture. Further, the generic term Gisu (Gishu) has been used yesteryear scholars similar Victor Turner (1969, 1973) together with Suzette Heald (1982) to refer to the Bagisu people, their region, language, or culture. As such, i tin can verbalise of the Gisu piece referring to the Bagisu people or something that belongs to them. However, the Bagisu do non refer to themselves or what belongs to them every bit the Gisu (Gishu).

                    Bagisu/bamasaba Imbalu circumcised initiate beingness carried at Imbalu ceremony

The Bagisu are known for the fearsome aggressiveness together with strength yesteryear their neighbours inwards Republic of Uganda together with Republic of Kenya whilst the globe know the Bagisu people for their unique Mbalu circumcision rituals. Bagisu people accept serious circumcision issues serious together with whatsoever human being who is uncircumcised would non live allowed to wed Bagisu adult woman together with Bagisu adult woman good imbibed alongside Kigisu civilization volition never allow an uncircumcised human being to penetrate her. Imbalu circumcision rituals amidst the Bagisu aim at strengthening cultural continuity yesteryear enhancing the passing over of cultural responsibilities together with ideologies from older generations to immature ones. As Khamalwa (2004) has also stressed, imbalu circumcision rituals build the Bagisu identity yesteryear making them stand upward out every bit a race of “men” (basani) every bit opposed to other un-circumcising tribes whom the Bagisu consider every bit boys (basinde) (see also Heald, 1982). Indeed, i graduates into a “man” together with acquire considered responsible together with indeed a “real” Mugisu through circumcision. The women’s “true” identity is also
defined yesteryear marrying a “real” man, i who is circumcised.

                                       Bagisu boy after circumcision (Mbalu) rituals

Today, the number of Masaaba speakers is around 1,120,000 alongside an ethnic population of 953,936; the expanse is the most densely populated part of the province alongside 250 people per sq. kilometer. However, during the fourth dimension of colonial rule, the tribe had a population of roughly ii thousand. The tribe was divided into clans—two or iii around Mbale alongside the remainder scattered around the slopes of Mt. Elgon. The clans were made upward of villages containing x homes, although this number occasionally reached forty.

 In fact, the master call of the Bagisu is Bamasaba, which agency “that of the Masaba origin”. According to Khamalwa (2004: 20), the call Bugisu is recent together with traces it to the belatedly nineteenth century when the British colonialists came to Uganda. According to Khamalwa, the call Bugisu is associated alongside Mwambu, the eldest boy of Masaba. According to a legend, Mwambu, who used to aspect after his father’s cattle, was attacked yesteryear the Masaai from Kenya. The Masaai took all the cattle he was herding. Mwambu is said to have got raised an alert for aid but every bit his clansmen mobilised to come upward to his rescue, he followed the raiders
single-handedly together with caught upward alongside them.
The Masaai were shocked alongside Mwambu’s courage together with handed over all the cattle they had raided including an extra bull (known inwards the Masai linguistic communication every bit ingisu) every bit a symbol of Mwambu’s bravery. When Mwambu’s begetter heard close the ordeal, he was so shocked that he gave Mwambu a nickname of Mugisu. However, when the British sent Semei Kakungulu every bit their representative to “pacify” the eastern component of Republic of Uganda including the Mount Elgon region, he was fascinated yesteryear people who spoke a linguistic communication similar to his own. When some local chiefs recounted the inwards a higher identify legend,Kakungulu renamed the Bamasaba, the Bagisu.

                                          Bagisu Mbalu circumcised initiates

Location
Generally, Bugisu remain on a mountainous region, a sentiment evidenced yesteryear the presence of the towering Mount Elgon ranges a volcano located  in Mbale District of Eastern Uganda. This expanse is good irrigated together with contains some of the most fertile soils inwards the country, allowing the tribe to acquire dominant inwards agriculture.The highest call for on these ranges goes every bit high every bit 8000ft piece the depression ones go every bit depression every bit 4000ft inwards a higher identify bounding main grade (Khamalwa, 2004: 19). Interwoven alongside the hills, caves together with gorges are rivers similar Manafwa, Sorokho together with Lwakhakaha, alongside countless tributaries where imbalu candidates perform the ritual of washing their penises before proceeding for pen surgery. In the areas neighbouring River Lwakhakha, imbalu candidates are taken rattling early on inwards the morn to the river inwards monastic tell to brand their muscles numb.

Bagisu village

Language
Bagisu speak Lugisu, sometimes called Lumasaba which belongs to Niger-Congo linguistic communication family. Like other Bantu languages, Lugisu has multiple dialects. While Ludadiri is a Lugisu dialect spoken yesteryear the Bagisu from the north, Lubuuya is the Lugisu dialect spoken inwards southward Bugisu. Further, the Bagisu who alive close the Babukusu of western Republic of Kenya have got the influence of Lubukusu, the linguistic communication of Babukusu. And yet, the Bagisu who alive inwards Central Bugisu speak a Lugisu dialect influenced yesteryear languages including Luganda, Lusoga, Lusamia together with Lunyoli.
   
                                                     Bagisu dancers from Sippi Falls,Mount Elgon,Uganda
Origin/history
Wangusa (1987), who is a novelist together with literature scholar, recounts that the foremost human being amidst the Bagisu was called Mundu. Together alongside his married adult woman Seera, Mundu emerged from a hole on top of Mount Elgon (Mount Masaba). They produced ii sons- Masaba together with Kundu, the erstwhile beingness a hunter piece the latter a herdsman. According to Wangusa, Kundu left the Mount Elgon piece Masaba stayed together with brought imbalu circumcision rituals to the Bagisu.

                                          Mount Elgon,Uganda
Wangusa writes that:
"Kundu, who, standing upon the mount i solar daytime when the sky was unusually
clear, saw a lake on the horizon inwards the management of the setting sun. And
yearning to go together with discovery out the hush-hush of the lake, [Kundu] journeyed many, many
days together with nights till he got lost, never to return. Travellers inwards subsequent
generations [told] the stories of a human being called Kundu, later known every bit Kintu, who
came from the mount of the heavens, mu ggulu, together with alighting upon the far side
of lake Nabulolo, gradually subdued his neighbours together with became the founder of a
still-surviving line of heroic kings[.] … [Kintu was] … the begetter of a prodigious
people, whose native linguistic communication was incredibly akin to that of the far-removed
Mountain of the Sun, inhabited yesteryear the great- grandchildren of Masaaba the elder
(1987: 79)."

          Mount Elgon,volcanic location where Bagisu people believe their ancestor came out of hole there

Khamalwa (2004) narrates that Kundu, whose call later changed to Kintu, moved together with settled inwards Buganda. After overthrowing the Buganda king, Kintu became their king. Indeed, scholars who have got written close the Baganda correlate Khamalwa’s sentiment that their foremost manly someone monarch Kintu, mightiness have got come upward from the Mount Elgon part inwards Bugisu. Sylvia Nannyonga- Tamusuza, for example, stresses that the theories close the rootage of Buganda assert that Buganda was founded yesteryear Kintu. She says that i of these theories “relate to Kintu every bit a foreigner who came from eastern Republic of Uganda inwards search of greener pastures for his moo-cow … [H]e reached Muwawa (which later became the meat of Buganda) [and settled]” (2005: 9).

Bagisu (Bamasaaba) kids

Another story, every bit presented yesteryear Naleera argues that Kundu disappeared from the Mount Elgon ranges because he feared to live circumcised. Naleera writes that after witnessing the circumcision of Masaba, his
elderberry brother, Kundu was so terrified that he moved westwards together with never came dorsum (2003:18-19).
Despite the fact that scholars have got non articulated whether Masaba was circumcised before or after Kundu had moved away from his father’s household, they handle that imbalu circumcision rituals amidst the Bagisu were introduced yesteryear Masaba. According to Khamalwa, every bit Masaba went on alongside his hunting expeditions inwards the Mount Elgon forest, he met a Kelenjin fille called Nabarwa. Nabarwa fascinated Masaba so much that he proposed union to her. Inspite of the fact that Nabarwa had been circumcised together with Masaba was not, she agreed to Masaba’s union proposal. And since it was an abomination for Nabarwa to wed an uncircumcised man, she proposed circumcision to Masaba. After consenting, Masaba was circumcised together with was married to Nabarwa. Masaba together with Nabarwa produced iii sons-- Mwambu, Wanale together with Mubuya-- together with i daughter, Nakuti. Mwambu settled inwards the northward of Bugisu together with became the ancestor of the Bagisu called Badadiri. Wanale, who settled inwards the central, is the ancestor of the Bagisu living inwards fundamental Bugisu together with Mubuya moved to the southward together with became the ancestor of the clans there

 Uganda's erstwhile High Commissioner to Canada, Chief of the Bamasaba Wilson Wamimbi Weasa seated, initiates youth during the ceremony.                                         
The Bagisu are believed to have got separated from the Bukusu sometime inwards the 19th century. The tradition claiming that they have got ever lived where they are throughout history is non fashionable. The earliest immigrants into Bugisu expanse are believed to have got moved into the Mt. Elgon expanse during the 16th century from the eastern plains.

                               Mount Elgon park,Uganda

Their earliest domicile is said to have got been inwards the Uasin Gishu plateau of Kenya. They seem to have got been an terminate production of the mixing of peoples of different origins together with cultures, but since their linguistic communication is Bantu, their predecessors should have got been Bantu speakers every bit well.

                                    Mount Elgon
Economy
Like many Bantu communities, the Bagisu are agriculturalists. Those who remain every bit far every bit 5000ft inwards a higher identify sea-level grow Arabica coffee, the biggest portion of it beingness sold to Bugisu Co-operative Union (BCU) though other companies dealing inwards java also exist. On the other hand, cotton fiber is grown inwards the lower plains extending every bit depression every bit 4000ft inwards a higher identify bounding main level. Tobacco is some other cash crop grown yesteryear a small-scale proportion of the population.

                                          Bagisu farm

 Much every bit bananas are grown primarily for food, the Bagisu also sell them to supplement the income earned from coffee, cotton fiber together with tobacco. In addition, the Bagisu grow maize, beans, millet, sorghum,
yams together with cassava. During unfavourable climatic conditions, the Bagisu acquire millet together with other foodstuffs from the Itesots, Banyoli, Jopadhola, Bagwere together with Sabinys which they occupation inwards the performance of imbalu circumcision rituals. The Bagisu also engage inwards line of piece of work organisation alongside their neighbours. Among the items traded in
include food, sugar, salt, soap, cattle together with musical instruments.

                                                   Bagisu coffee

Food storage: The millet together with corn, after drying, were placed into granaries—large wicker baskets alongside removable covers. The baskets were around 5 feet high together with iii feet inwards diameter. Villagers protected their crop from pelting together with insects yesteryear raising the stones off the Earth alongside rocks or tree stumps together with roofing the outsides inwards moo-cow manure.

 The Bagisu hunted diverse wild fauna for protein, usually small-scale antelope.Hunting was primarily done alongside a spear, although nets were used on occasion. During warfare, men used spears together with toxicant tipped arrows. Domestic animals were also kept, although they were rarely used for meat. Every household owned a few cows for dairy together with several goats together with sheep for trading. Families kept diverse types of fowl to live eaten on occasion, but they were non fed yesteryear the identify unit of measurement together with were later non good nourished
Ceramics: Pottery was nowadays amidst the Bagisu. Pots were baked out of clay (lidiri) from riverbeds betwixt the novel together with total moons. Pregnant women are non allowed close pots piece they were beingness made

Sexual partition of production: 
Apart from agriculture, in that location was non much partition of labor. Upon marriage, a human being gave his married adult woman a patch for crops. This set down was cleared together with weeded yesteryear the human being together with sowed yesteryear the woman; i time the crop had matured, men together with women worked together to harvest the grain. Conversely, men or women could herd livestock or run every bit potters. Warfare together with construction were amidst the jobs performed solely yesteryear males

Inheritance patterns:
Usually, the eldest boy inherits his father’s property. This is non guaranteed, however, every bit the clan tin can intervene together with deprive the boy of his privilege. If the boy inherits the property, it is his responsibleness to supply for his siblings until marriage; using the union fees he receives for his sisters to fund his union together with those of his brothers. Along alongside taking his father’s property, the boy may accept his widows every bit wives.

                                         Bagisu man

Political Set-up
The Bagisu had a loose political construction based on clans. Every clan had an elderberry known every bit Umwami nosotros sikoka (chief of the clan). These men were chosen on the footing of historic stream together with wealth. They were responsible for maintaining law together with order, together with unity together with the continuity of the clan.

Bagisu/Bamasaba people bowing to their novel King

They were also responsible for keeping together with maintaining the cultural values of the clan together with for making sacrifices to the ancestral spirits. Often, stronger chiefs would extend their influence to other clans but no primary managed to subdue other clans into i unmarried political entity. Other of import figures inwards Bugisu included the rainmakers together with the sorcerers.

                             Bagisu/Bamasaba king
Religious belief
The Bagisu worship a supreme God called wele lunya- also known every bit wele Namanga/Weri Kubumba. According to Naleera (2003: 10-12), namanga is derived from nanga, denoting a cloth, a sentiment indicating that God wears a white fabric to symbolise his ‘holy’ nature. And yet, Khamalwa (2004) notes that wele wemungaki, the God who resides above, is the supreme God of the Bagisu whom the latter consider to live a porter, i who is able to do anything or the i who has ability (2004: 22). Since wele is invisible together with resides above, the Bagisu await him to live everywhere together with dwell inwards every activity they perform including imbalu circumcision rituals. Similarly, the Bagisu believe that everything which takes identify comes from him thus respecting wele every bit much every bit they can. Wele-lunya has iii assistance inwards performance of some of his duties.Three assistants to wele (called wele lunya) are every bit follows:wele maina, the i responsible for animate beingness wealth (buhindifu) together with is the i who removes barrenness from cows. To appease wele maina, a someone sacrifices a barren moo-cow to him inwards a special shrine. The priest (normally a diviner) brews beer, blesses it together with so sprinkles it over the remaining cows to “remove” barreness from them. There is wele nabende who was responsible for rich crop yields together with was inwards accuse of banana plantations. The Bagisu sacrificed to him yesteryear deliberately leaving some bananas to ripen inwards the banana plantations. Further, wele nabulondela was responsible for births together with was symbolised
yesteryear millet set on the pillar of the house. While brewing beer, the Bagisu hold it nether the pole which holds the theater inwards monastic tell to allow this deity have got her portion (see also Turner 1969). When a adult woman is inwards labour, she gets handle on the pillar of the theater together with the Bagisu believe that wele nabulondela is in that location to aid her. In
addition, since millet is used to symbolise this deity, the Bagisu await the theater married adult woman to live every bit productive every bit millet together with make every bit many children every bit possible. As imbalu (male circumcision) symbolises the minute birth, when the boy is brought to the courtyard for circumcision, the woman parent runs to the theater together with gets handle on this pillar to
symbolise the minute nascency of her son.
Another deity, wele namakanda was responsible for fertility together with was symbolised yesteryear the frog. As such, when frogs acquire inwards peoples’ homes, they are non supposed to live pushed away since they are believed to convey blessings to the adult woman of the domicile to have got every bit many children every bit possible. Among the Bagisu, people, especially children are forbidden from hitting frogs. It is believed that since frogs “bring” blessings to women to have got every bit many children every bit possible, hitting them causes the breakage of the dorsum of one’s mother. As such, the woman parent may non live able to have got to a greater extent than children.
Wele is non only responsible for bringing blessings to the people but also inflicting punishments on incorrect doers. To do this, the Bagisu believe that God uses small-scale deities amidst whom is wele matsakha who resides inwards thickets together with is responsible for punishing his victims alongside abrupt affliction together with fevers. Another unsafe deity is wele lufutu who was responsible for draining blood from people especially pregnant women. Wele lufutu is believed to reside inwards the river together with is symbolised yesteryear a rainbow. Whoever could catch a rainbow was non supposed to go to the river lest wele lufuutu drains his or her blood.
While wele wanyanga was responsible for causing drought, wele murabula was responsible for breaking the legs of people together with animals. Murabula could also motility peoples’ together with animals’ eyes to swell together with was also appeased around the pillar of the house. Wele kitsali was responsible for causing epidemics similar diarrhoea,
typhoid, fever, cholera together with plagues. H5N1 “real” Mugisu human being is expected to know how to avoid together with also appease these deities.
During the performance of imbalu together with other Bagisu rituals, these deities (especially those which are not
harmful) must live called upon to come upward together with bless the candidates or persons. In fact, these gods are believed to have got ability which tin can brand candidates bleed profusely if neglected. The Bagisu believe that next to the gods are the ancestors who also have got ability to bless or damage people. Indeed, ancestors are believed to live component of the candidate since the candidates’ call is that of his granddad or uncle who has of late been component of the human race.
Missionaries introduced the Bagisu to Christianity inwards the belatedly 1890s. These European immigrants established an “Anglican” organisation that improved roads together with infrastructure, later dividing the expanse into districts. The Bagisu have got been fighting alongside their neighbors, the Sabei, but the Bagisu tribe is larger together with to a greater extent than affluent due to java together with cotton fiber production.

 Passage rituals (birth, death, puberty, seasonal):
Birth: During pregnancy, women did non have got to follow nutrient taboos piece men must live especially careful to non autumn piece walking or climbing, every bit this was idea to motility a miscarriage. After the kid was born, the placenta was carefully buried behind the house.
Beer was so poured where the kid was born together with ii trees were planted inwards front end of the house, called mbaga together with mwima. For 15 days after giving nascency the married adult woman remained inwards seclusion, after which she shaved the pilus on her caput together with body together with swept the flooring of the house.
The gendering physical care for amidst the Bagisu begins when the kid is born together with this physical care for is subject on the sexual practice i acquires at birth. Like inwards many other African societies, females together with males are the only recognized sexes amidst the Bagisu. In the instance where the kid is born alongside both sexes, it is deemed abnormal together with lodge does everything possible to alter its sexual practice especially through an operation. When a manly someone kid is born, it is called umwana umusinde piece a woman someone i is called umukhana. Female children are called bakhana (plural of umukhana) because they are expected to wed together with convey domicile wealth every bit presently every bit they acquire mature. And yet, males are called basinde (plural shape of umusinde) because lodge expects them to grow together with acquire the custodians of the fathers’ households when the latter grow old . Further, manly someone children are likened to a tree known every bit lusoola.

Bagisu woman

As mentioned earlier, a woman someone kid amidst the Bagisu is called umwana umukhana. When it is born, the woman someone is welcomed into lodge every bit someone who must convey wealth to the parents when she gets married. As such, she is socialised to acquire a “good” married adult woman yesteryear beingness associated alongside activities similar making mats, cooking together with knitting. To acquire a “good” woman, fille children are expected to remain close their mothers or aunties together with acquire “good” eating habits, sitting postures, how to ready together with all those behaviours expected of “good” women inwards society. In fact, a fille who does non deport good exposes her woman parent to abuses. The woman parent is
looked at every bit someone who does non know how to nurture her daughters “properly” together with possible suitors may non come upward to such a domicile when looking for union partners. To brand fille children plough into “appropriate” women, the Bagisu also occupation proverbs such every bit “bukhwale butuufu intekhelo” (proper union is cooking)
or “umukhasi umutuufu amanya inda yo museetsa” (a proper adult woman knows the husband’s stomach). These proverbs are intended to remind the fille that her component inwards union is inwards the kitchen. She is expected to “maintain” the husband’s stomach. To demonstrate that cooking is i of the regulation tenets of marriage,
girls who go for union amidst the Bagisu are said to have got gone to “Bufumbo College”, literally important she has gone to cook. If a Mugisu human being wants to chase away his wife, he begins to occupy the kitchen together with ready his ain food. H5N1 “man” to ready nutrient is abominable, a sentiment which suggests that his married adult woman is worthless.

                                 Bagisu people,Mbale,Uganda

Death:After a death, the body remained inwards the domicile until the relatives of the deceased arrived. At sunset, the body was deposited at the nearest “waste ground.” As nighttime fell, horns were blown together with the children were told “jackals were coming to consume the dead.”During the night, elderly women related to the deceased went dorsum to the body together with cutting off pieces for mourning. Over the next iii days, relatives mourned inwards the theater together with “ate the flesh of the dead.”

Initiation:
Girls: Girls around the ages of 10 or 12 began the physical care for of scarring their faces. Girls would cutting the pare on their foreheads together with rub ash into the wounds, the production of such actions beingness ornate keloids. Women could non wed if they hadn’t gone through this process.
Boys: Circumcision seems to have got been mutual practise inwards the Arabian peninsula inwards the fourth millennium BCE, piece the earliest historical tape of circumcision comes from Egypt, dating to close 2400–2300 BCE. Circumcision was done yesteryear the Ancient Egyptians maybe for hygienic reasons, but also was component of their obsession alongside purity. (Mbalu) Boys showing signs of puberty were circumcised inwards a world ceremony that occurred every ii years. For ii to iv months prior to the operation, the boys traveled to villages around the clan to have gifts together with dance.

A fellow member of the Bagisu/Bamasaba tribe is carried shoulder high during the launch of the circumcision ceremony at the Imbalu at Mutoto Cultural Grounds exterior Mbale town. HUDSON APUNYO/REUTERS

The ceremony occurred ii to iii days after the arrival of the novel moon. At this time, an offering of a
fowl was made at the shrine to Weri, the god said to have got made the universe, on Mt. Elgon. The boys were so taken into the wood yesteryear the medicine human being together with the chief—there a caprine animal was sacrificed together with the boys covered themselves alongside the contents of its stomach. After the boys feasted on the goat, they returned to a hamlet where they danced every bit a group. The boys were taken to the shrine of Weri, blessed, smeared alongside clay, together with told to render to their private villages for the circumcision.

                                                     Imbalu boy by photographer Shannon Jensen.

After having returned to their village, the boys were confronted yesteryear an old human being that had them each handle to their duties to his clan. Once they agreed, a medicine human being removed the boys’ foreskin together with all of the pare on their penises, aside from a strip underneath. After ii months of healing, the boys were allowed to bring together the men inwards clan councils together with wed if they chose to.

In eastern Uganda, the tribe of Mt. Elgon, the Bamasaaba or Bagisu, circumcise their teenage boys every bit initiation into manhood. The ceremonies occur every ii years together with are marked yesteryear vigorous dancing. - See to a greater extent than at: http://www.thirdgoal.org/photos/view/circumcision-ceremony

The Bagisu are a highly superstitious people

Before circumcision, an initiate is administered alongside a sure as shooting herb called ityanyi. Its role is to arouse involvement inwards circumcision inside the candidate. Often the ityanyi is tied circular the initiate’s large toe or it is set inwards such a identify where he mightiness saltation over it unawares. It is believed that if the candidate who has taken the ityanyi is delayed or hindered from beingness circumcised, he mightiness terminate upward circumcising himself every bit his heed is said to live so much stimulated towards circumcision that no other thing tin can distract him. Circumcision amidst the Bagisu occurs biannually during saltation years. 

Bagisu/Bamasaba dressed inwards banana leaves together with carrying local brewed beer, the consumption of which is a component of the ceremony.

Every manly someone has to perform the ritual upon reaching puberty. Those who abscond are hunted downwards together with forcefully together with scornfully circumcised. Before the solar daytime of circumcision, the initiates are tuned upward yesteryear having them walk together with trip the calorie-free fantastic around the villages for iii days. Their heads are sprinkled alongside cassava flour together with painted alongside malwa-yeast paste. Their relatives trip the calorie-free fantastic alongside them together with in that location is much drumming together with singing.

Girls part

Girls, especially the sisters of the initiates, enthusiastically accept component inwards the processions. It is believed that i time a boy is circumcised he becomes a truthful Mugisu together with a mature person. An uncircumcised someone is known every bit a musinde. The circumcision functioning on each initiate is pretty fast. The circumciser together with his assistant displace around performing the ritual every bit appropriate. The assistant circumciser pulls the foreskin of the penis together with the circumciser cuts it off. The circumciser goes farther together with cuts from the penis some other layer which is believed to develop into some other top comprehend for the penis if it is non removed. The circumciser proceeds together with cuts off a sure as shooting musculus on the lower component of the penis. These iii cuttings terminate the circumcision ritual.

After circumcision

The initiate is made to sit down downwards on a stool together with he is so wrapped inwards a slice of cloth. After that he is taken to his father’s theater together with made to displace around the theater before entering it. For iii days, the initiate is non allowed to consume alongside his hands. He is fed. They tell that it is because he is non yet fully initiated into manhood. After iii days, the circumciser is invited to perform the ritual of washing the initiate’s hands. It is after this ritual that the initiate tin can consume alongside his hands. On the same day, the initiate is declared a man. It is so that custom allows him to marry. During the ceremony the initiate is instructed on the duties together with demands of manhood. He is informed inwards add-on that agriculture is rattling of import together with advised to ever deport similar a man. It is believed that the healing of the cuts depends on how many goats have got been slaughtered during the initiate’s circumcision.

After healing

H5N1 ritual is performed. All the novel initiates inwards the locality have got to attend. This ritual is called Iremba. It is an of import occasion which all the hamlet people and, these days, fifty-fifty authorities officials attend. During ritual proceedings, the initiate could choice whatsoever fille together with have got sexual intercourse alongside her. The fille was non supposed to refuse. It is believed that if she refused, she would never have got children when she got married. This poses problems of Christian females if they are chosen. Previously, circumcision was done inwards specific enclosures together with only the initiates together with the circumciser were allowed in. The remainder of the congregation would exactly hold off together with hear from exterior the enclosure. Today, however, all people are allowed to spotter the whole process. Firmness the together with courageous endurance on the component of initiate is appreciated every bit a sign of bravery.

Other rituals: 
If twins are born: H5N1 medicine human being offered a fowl to the gods. Three days later, the twins’ heads were shaved together with their fingernails were trimmed for inspection. After they had been inspected yesteryear the medicine man, the families of the married adult man together with married adult woman feasted together.
If a human being committed suicide: His theater was broken downwards together with burned. If a married adult woman committed suicide the married adult man was blamed together with he was stripped of his domicile together with possessions.
Murder: If a human being murdered someone exterior of the clan he had to kill a caprine animal together with smear the contents of its tum on his chest. Until he did this, the human being was non allowed to consume nutrient alongside his hands.

                                 Bagisu people at Mount Elgon
Marriage
However, girls laid about to score their foreheads alongside keloids at the historic stream of 10 or 12 every bit a sign of clan membership. As a Bagisu fille is non allowed to wed until she has marked her face, it is in all probability closely related to the menarche. : H5N1 adult woman could non wed if she hadn’t gone through the initiation rites at the historic stream of 12.

Bride purchase (price), bride service, dowry:
The married adult man paid a union fee to the identify unit of measurement of the bride; the begetter of the groom negotiated the toll alongside the parents of the bride. Usually the fee was iii of iv cows (but upward to x could live asked for); this was occasionally supplemented alongside goats. However, the groom provided the identify unit of measurement of the bride alongside other gifts, such every bit a pike together with a hoe, out of custom.
Before the union tin can occur, the groom must pay the union fee. After the bride’s identify unit of measurement receives the bridal fee, the bride together with a number of woman someone companions (as men could non safely cross into some other clan’s territory) stayed the nighttime inwards the groom’s village. The political party returned to their hamlet the next solar daytime alongside a gift of a sheep or a goat. After a feast inwards her village, the bride returned to the hamlet of her futurity husband, staying the nighttime inwards his theater alongside a identify unit of measurement member. The next solar daytime the identify unit of measurement fellow member left together with the married adult woman began working inwards her field. Aside from this deadening process, non formal ceremony or stream of seclusion existed.

                                                 
                  Imbalu Circumcision Rites
Imbalu circumcision rituals are a religious ritual performance. Like other religious performances, these rituals are associated alongside spirits together with their performance follows strict procedures. In addition, imbalu circumcision rituals are administered nether the unquestionable authorization of ritual executors; they involve the evocation of the dead; convenating; together with have got symbolic meanings which are non known yesteryear all the participants.

Cross department of the crowd that turned upward for launch of Imbalu at Mutoto Cultural Grounds inwards Mbale.

The performance of imbalu circumcision rituals is associated alongside spirits (kimisambwa), which are believed to have got come upward from the clan of Nabarwa, the married adult woman of Masaba who is believed to have got lured her married adult man into getting circumcised. According to Khamalwa (2004), since all the Bagisu are children of Masaba together with Nabarwa, they demand to live circumcised inwards monastic tell to avert the spirits of circumcision (kimisambwa kyembalu) from haunting them. It is believed that when the Bagisu had attempted to “abscond” from imbalu, these spirits attacked the manly someone children of Fuuya, thus forcing the Bagisu to revive the circumcision rituals. It has acquire mandatory that all the Bagisu acquire circumcised lest spirits of imbalu would haunt them. To appease these spirits, imbalu candidates are taken to diverse places to offering sacrifices, Further, imbalu circumcision candidates are smeared alongside clay from the sacred swamp every bit a way of putting these candidates inwards “fellowship” alongside the spirit of imbalu (kumusambwa kwe mbalu). The swamp where the clay (litosi) is got is
sanctified alongside sacrifices inwards terms of slaughtered hens together with goats inwards appreciation of the ability of the spirits of imbalu. Furthermore, this spirit is evoked through songs together with dances performed inwards imbalu circumcision rituals. In fact, imbalu candidates are told through vocal that they should live theater inwards the spirit of Masaba, the name
given to imbalu.

A Bamasaba due to live circumcised is carried shoulder high during the Imbalu ceremony at Mutoto Cultural Grounds. The player is smeared alongside flour together with decorated alongside traditional beads.

Imbalu circumcision rituals involve the evocation of the dead to come upward together with “witness” every bit good every bit bless the candidate. Many informants told me that the Bagisu honor the dead members of their lodge to the extent that they are referred to every bit balamu (the “living”). Among the agency through which the dead are respected
include naming children after them together with leaving some nutrient inwards the cooking pot so that the ancestors may discovery something to “eat” when they see at night. Another agency of relating to ancestors every bit the “living” is “calling” them to live “present” during imbalu circumcision rituals. If these dead people (bakuka ni bakukhu)come on their ain during the performance of these rituals, they are believed to motility severe damage to the candidate. So, they must live “invited” through sacrifices, music, together with trip the calorie-free fantastic so every bit to brand the candidate theater during pen-surgery.

Imbalu is a religious performance since it involves convenanting. It is believed that the blood which is shed every bit a result of the surgery of the penis is a confirmation to the ancestors that the boy is component together with package of the lodge the ancestors left.

An Imbalu candidate is pulled away from clashes alongside police. There was a skirmish at Mutoto Cultural Grounds when youth forced their way into reserved arena for the cultural performance.

Imbalu Preparatory Stage
 The preparatory stage is the foremost stage inwards the imbalu cycle, which begins inwards Jan till July of an fifty-fifty year, the yr of imbalu. The rituals, musics together with dances performed inwards the preparatory stage are intended to denote to the prospective imbalu candidates, their parents together with relatives that the yr for imbalu rituals has began. As such, those who are ready to graduate into manhood are expected to come upward forrad together with declare their candidature through singing together with dancing. Further, during the preparatory stage, imbalu candidates visit
distant relations for blessings together with to solicit for coin together with materials that volition live are used inwards the rituals, every bit good every bit gifts.

          Bagisu Ugandan traditional surgeons display circumcision knives before Mbalu initiation ceremony

 The imbalu preparatory stage also involves the reminding ritual (khushebusa imbalu). The primary aim of the reminding ritual is to inform imbalu stakeholders that the yr for imbalu has come upward so every bit to give them ample fourth dimension to search for costumes, nutrient together with animals which are used to feed people together with offering sacrifices (interview, 2009). And yet, Philip Wamayosi, an elderberry charged alongside the role of keeping the reminding drum stressed that khushebusa reminds boys aged betwixt 16 together with twenty- ii years close paying the “cultural debt” (interview, Jan th, 2009). Imbalu every bit a shape of identity must live performed yesteryear all the Bagisu. As such, imbalu is also considered a cultural debt, which is an activity every manly someone Mugisu must fulfill inwards monastic tell to live considered a fellow member of the society.

                                      Imbalu boys dancing

Khushebusa imbalu: Reminder close Manhood
Khushebusa is a ritual that reminds prospective imbalu candidates, their parents, relatives together with circumcisers that the yr is for imbalu. This ritual is performed on 1st January, during the circumcision yr together with involves sounding a special drum known every bit ingoma ye khushebusa (the drum that reminds). Ingoma ye khushebusa is a medium size drum of close iii feet inwards length. It has a double membrane though only i side of this drum is played. The top component of the reminding drum is larger than its bottom. In every clan, in that location is a special identify unit of measurement called babashebusa (those who remind others) charged alongside the responsibleness of keeping together with performing the reminding drum. The custodians of this drum are ever aware of the starting fourth dimension of the circumcision yr together with the activities it brings with. As such, when this yr begins, they play the reminding drum from either their compounds or the hamlet playground to tell people to “wake up” together with gear upward for imbalu circumcision rituals. Apart from beingness sounded to remind people close imbalu rituals, the reminding drum is also sounded during
lastly funeral rites, especially the burial of men who produced manly someone children. In fact, men who are circumcised together with have got produced sons are highly respected amidst the Bagisu together with are accorded “powerful” burial ceremonies when they die. Relating imbalu circumcision rituals to activities similar funeral rites establishes that imbalu defines the whole life wheel of a Mugisu.
Usually, the beating of the reminding drum begins at 4:00 O’clock inwards the morning. This drum is sounded every after half dozen hours until 4:00 O’clock inwards the evening. Phillip Wamayosi, an elderberry charged alongside the custodianship of the reminding drum informed me that sounding the reminding drum begins early on inwards the morn so every bit to deliver the message to all people. He said that “there are people who may continue journeys. We aim at giving the message when all people are soundless at home. They continue their businesses when they have got heard the message”. Moreover, at noon is when most people come upward from their gardens. Wamayosi explained that sounding the reminding drum at noon is aimed at informing people that whatever they may do, imbalu rituals are component together with package of their programme. Finally, 4:00 O’clock inwards the eventide is a fourth dimension when most social activities similar naming or lastly funeral rites are performed. And since imbalu is defined every bit a social activity, the reminding drum is sounded at 4:00 O’clock to inform participants to come upward out together with demonstrate the clansmen together with women their intentions for imbalu inwards that year.
The sounding of the reminding drum follows a designing which depicts clan seniority. H5N1 number of informants told me that amidst the Bagisu, older brothers are the ones to atomic number 82 younger ones inwards all aspects of life together with this hierarchy must live articulated during the performance of imbalu circumcision rituals. As such, the most senior clan sounds its drum first. Hearing the drum rhythms, the next clan follows until the to the lowest degree senior clan joins. At 4:00 O’clock inwards the evening, when prospective imbalu candidates hear the reminding drum, they set on thigh bells, headgears together with other dancing regalia together with go around villages singing together with dancing. Among the songs sang during khushebusa rituals is “Khukana Bushebe.”
The literal translation of the text of the vocal khukana bushebe is thus:
Shalelo khukana bushebe       today, nosotros wishing circumcision
Baseyi Bamasaba khwolile     Masaba elders, nosotros have got come
Imbalu ye Masaba yolile        Masaba’s imbalu has come
Ni nafe khukana khunjile       We also wishing to live circumcised
The candidates so displace to hamlet playgrounds or along major roads alongside other people responding to the songs they sing. The music performed yesteryear boys during this stream is intended to denote to elders that they are ready for the imbalu circumcision ritual this year. As a thing of fact, this music together with dancing are a way of communicating one’s candidature. Indeed, it is after hearing the reminding drum that the prospective candidates come upward out to portray their candidature through singing together with dancing.
Khushebusa ritual is also a “school” for imbalu candidates to acquire how to sing together with trip the calorie-free fantastic imbalu. And since these boys do non have got experience aboutmanhood, circumcised men are the ones who atomic number 82 them inwards songs together with dances. These are men who are skilful inwards singing, dancing together with other societal values. While men inform boys close the role of men inwards society, they also educate boys on how to relate alongside other men inwards society. Such men are known every bit banamyenya (singular, namyenya). In his report close imbalu rituals, Khamalwa defines namyenya every bit “a local poet together with historian, expert at composing didactic songs, knowledgeable inwards the
history of the tribe inwards general, knows the myths together with genealogies of different clans, every bit good every bit the legends associated alongside the different heroes.”
Since he is hoped to impart societal values, including the traits expected of men amidst the Bagisu, namyenya is charged alongside the responsibleness of leading imbalu circumcision candidates. Among other activities of the khushebusa ritual is the blowing of horns (long together with brusk horns known every bit tsingombi together with tsimbebe, respectively). Candidates from side yesteryear side ridges blow horns together with are answered yesteryear their counterparts across the ridge. However, because buffalos are no longer hunted together with yet they are the ones where horns are fashioned, horns have got drastically reduced from imbalu musical performances. Most informants told me that since imbalu is intended to “turn” boys into “tough”, “aggressive” together with “strong” “men”, costumes together with props used inwards these rituals must live made from violent wild animals. As a thing of fact, the buffalo is considered yesteryear the Bagisu to live amidst the “toughest” together with “fiercest” animals. After the khushebusa ritual, imbalu candidates assemble together with perform isonja dance.

Isonja Dance: H5N1 Site for Testing Manhood
 Isonja is an imbalu trip the calorie-free fantastic performed to prepare candidates close dancing skills every bit good every bit enable them acquire acclimatized alongside the items they apparel when performing imbalu rituals. This trip the calorie-free fantastic is staged inwards an opened upward field, ordinarily i preserved for special clan meetings. Isonja trip the calorie-free fantastic is performed betwixt the months of Jan together with March since this stream is non characterized alongside a lot of agricultural work. This trip the calorie-free fantastic is performed inwards the eventide when candidates, their vocal together with trip the calorie-free fantastic instructors, every bit good every bit the spectators have got finished the day’s run together with hence have got fourth dimension to participate inwards the dance.
 In staging isonja dance, imbalu candidates from a detail clan come upward together together with hire an teacher either from their ain hamlet or some other identify to atomic number 82 them inwards songs together with dancing skills. Instructors are hired due to their scarcity inwards many parts of Bugisu; a province of affairs that increases their demand inwards society.
Prior to the emergence of the “monetary economy”, each imbalu candidate could pay the instructors of isonja trip the calorie-free fantastic inwards terms of eggs, local beer or yesteryear physically going to run for them inwards their gardens. Each imbalu candidate contributes betwixt ii together with 5 hundred Ugandan shillings per solar daytime for the isonja instructor.
 While going to the venue of performing isonja dance, music takes fundamental place. Candidates run to the venue piece singing songs they learnt during khushebusa. Candidates “lead” themselves every bit they displace to the performance venues. When they atomic number 82 themselves, candidates demonstrate that they are people who tin can stand upward on their ain every bit “men”. When candidates acquire inwards at the performance venue, they stand upward inwards a circle together with are led yesteryear their instructor, nanyenya. Nanyenya “tutors” imbalu candidates on how to sing, trip the calorie-free fantastic together with accept attention of their dancing items- thigh bells, headgears, beads every bit good every bit the strips of pare which hang on their backs.
Namyenya takes on the “mantle” of leading imbalu candidates inwards songs together with dancing skills at the dancing venue to essay out whether these candidates are ready for imbalu or no. According to Makulo, what defines a human being amidst the Bagisu is having “tough” muscles every bit good every bit beingness strong. As such, someone seeking manhood is expected to evidence that he is tough through the dancing. Among the songs namyenya sings piece instructing imbalu candidates during isonja trip the calorie-free fantastic is entitled Yolele Yolele:
Soloist: Yolele yolele                               it has come, has come
Chorus: I yaya yolele, yolele, iyaya          sincerely it has come, has come
Soloist: Tsobolele uwakonela                   tell the i who  Postponed
Chorus: I yaya yolele, yolele, iyaya           sincerely it has come
Soloist: Kumukamba yakobole                 tomorrow, it volition come
Chorus: I yaya yolele, yolele, iyaya           sincerely it has com
In the foremost line of the song, namyenya reminds candidates that the yr for imbalu has come. In response, candidates confirm what namyenya tells them yesteryear singing “sincerely it has come”. While the vocal leader changes the text, candidates hold on repeating the same text. This musical shape relates to the authorization of “men” amidst the Bagisu. Men have got authorization together with every bit such, when they talk, their authorization must live adhered to. According to Kanyanya, yesteryear reemphasising that “it has come, has come”, imbalu candidates reaffirm their
obligation to undergo imbalu (interview, Jan 18th, 2009). Namyenya tells candidates to go together with tell whoever is non circumcised, peculiarly those who had postponed imbalu that it has come. In fact, namyenya’s lastly line “tomorrow, it volition come” re-echoes the fact that i tin can never dodge imbalu amidst the Bagisu.
One of the basic motifs inwards isonja trip the calorie-free fantastic is performed when candidates curvature their backsand postage the Earth alongside their correct feet. Then i spreads his arms together with moves them from the body (trunk). As he dances, the candidate stamps the ground; each fourth dimension turning to a different direction. As a thing of fact, isonja trip the calorie-free fantastic is primarily intended to enable imbalu candidates to acquire dancing skills together with acquire “tough” inwards grooming for the pen-surgery ritual. Further, it enables candidates to acquire acclimatised to items similar thigh bells, a cirlet of wood or ivory on the fore head, together with the headgear, all used during different imbalu circumcision rituals.
Other items include wooden circular objects alongside holes curved inwards the middle of each object so that the candidate tin can set his paw inwards it till it fits at the elbow. All these items are heavy together with therefore, demand mature, muscular, together with strong candidates to send them. As such, isonja is meant to transform boys into people who are mascular together with strong plenty to fit alongside the traits used to define men amidst the Bagisu.
Isonja is indeed a site for testing manhood. Throughout the performance of this dance, traits which the Bagisu associate alongside men similar aggressiveness, strength together with persistence are emphasised together with imparted. According to Andrew Mukhwana, a “real” human being must live strong because after imbalu rituals, he is expected to acquire independent. Moreover, a man’s married adult woman together with children depend on him for protection. Further, inwards instance of whatsoever war, men are the ones called upon to defend the lodge (interview, Jan 4th, 2009). As such, for someone to live allowed to undergo imbalu circumcision rituals, he must evidence that he is strong piece performing isonja dance. Similarly, Heald argues that “[l]ike a warrior, the boy must conquer his fearfulness yesteryear convincing himself that he has the strength to overcome an enemy” (1982: 17). To “perform” strength through isonja dance, imbalu candidates are expected to curvature the upper parts of the body together with postage the
Earth heavily, alongside their correct feet. As i stamps the ground, the arms must protrude outwards from the main body, forming a concave shape alongside them. This concave shape, which Andrew Mukhwana called “khureka tsingumbo” (“sharpening the arms”) is a posture of protection. Sam Waneroba, aged forty-eight, told me that fifty-fifty inwards daily life, a human being who defends himself is i who builds a wall around his domicile (interview, 2d March, 2009). According to Waneroba, such a human being protects himself before disaster befalls him. Indeed, performers of isonja trip the calorie-free fantastic who do non hold their arms “sharpened” are elbowed out of the dancing circle. Depending on how i dances, he is either pronounced immature or weak yesteryear spectators together with may live asked yesteryear the clansmen to hold off for the next flavour every bit he matures together with grows strong (see also
Khamalwa, 2004: 75).
After composing their songs, candidates practise them every bit they displace together with trip the calorie-free fantastic on route sides alongside the peers escorting them. Sometimes, imbalu candidates encounter alongside kadodi drummers to constitute how the songs they had acquire from namyenya tin can live enforced yesteryear kadodi music. To constitute this connection, candidates foremost sing their lines every bit the drummers create the accompanying rhythms. The searching for imbalu, every bit discussed inwards the next subsection is a stage which ushers candidates to the search for manhood.

                                       Searching for manhood,Bagisu boys

Khuwenza Busani: Boy “Searching” for Manhood
Imbalu rituals require a lot of resources inwards terms of money, nutrient together with animals together with yet only one’s parents may non live inwards topographic point to supply everything. As such, the novice needs assistance from other relatives. There is also demand to see relatives together with friends for blessings so every bit to perform imbalu circumcision rituals successfully. As such, after the performance of isonja dance, imbalu candidates see distant relatives non only to seek for blessings together with stuff help, but also to denote their intensions of becoming “men”. George Wekoye told me that since imbalu ushers someone into manhood, the prospective candidate is expected to live bold plenty to inform others that he needs to acquire a “man”. According to Wekoye, the boy must denote "it” himself such so every bit to enable his clanmen know that he is “ripe” for manhood.
Similarly, Heald writes that:
 throughout the rituals [,] in that location is a constant stress yesteryear the boy [‘s]
kinsmen together with those officiating, that the wishing for imbalu tin can come upward from
the boy alone. He himself chooses the yr inwards which he volition be
circumcised together with it is repeatedly said that no i is putting whatsoever force per unit of measurement area on
him to undergo the ordeal (1982: 18).
To search for imbaludenotes searching for the “spirit of the Bagisu” together with likened it to the Kigisu saying “khuwenza kumusambwa kweefe” (we search for our spirit). imbalu is “war” together with therefore, the boy must mobilize his relations (near together with far) to come upward together with stand upward yesteryear his side (see also Heald, 1982). As such, during imbalu rituals, one’s relatives must live visited together with told close his candidature. In most cases, the woman someone relations are the ones visited since they moved from their clans together with got married inwards distant places. And since
they are instantly inwards “their” ain clans, these woman someone relations must live visited good inwards advance because during the stream when smearing, brewing of beer, visiting cultural sites together with the cutting rituals are performed, these  relatives are also busy alongside imbalu rituals of their husbands’ relations. In fact, searching for imbalu explains the fact that imbalu rituals are collective every bit they involve relatives from close together with far every bit good every bit ancestors.
 As they see these relatives, the boy together with his escorts run piece singing together with dancing. During my childhood, I participated inwards the activities of searching for imbalu where the vocal “Masaba Akana Imbalu” (Masaba Wants Imbalu):
Masaba amile i Luteeka ari ngana imbalu                     Masaba came from the set down of
                                                                                   Bamboo demanding for imbalu
Neewe kana imbalu Masaba imbalu                             But you lot demand for imbalu, imbalu
Yarafua                                                                       is tough
Imbalu yarafua Masaba,                                               imbalu is tough Masaba,
Bakhala bijele                                                              they cutting legs
The vocal leader (namyenya) announces to the world that Masaba is demanding for imbalu, which literally agency manhood. However, he warns Masaba that imbalu is “tough”, rattling “painful” together with it tantamounts to cutting off one’s legs. Namyenya leads the song, telling people how Masaba is demanding for manhood. Members of the escorting squad exactly respond aee, every bit if asking, “is it?” As Khamalwa explains, [t]he novice carries a long stick whose bark has been peeled off. This stick [,] known every bit kumukheti [,] is what he waves inwards the air every bit he dances … (2004:77).
 Apart from the boy leading songs, namyenya also play a important role inwards leading songs during the stream of searching imbalu. Namyenya is ever unopen to the boy to ensure that he learns other songs which he volition sing piece going to cultural sites, the maternal clan amidst other rituals. Sometimes, the boy is escorted yesteryear his woman someone relations including his sisters together with paternal aunts. The Bagisu await men to live at the forefront during all world performances dissimilar women who are expected to but follow what men do. Imbalu is a space
through which men consolidate their ability together with every bit such, roles of leading songs, smearing candidates, brewing beer together with circumcising are assigned to men. ......

The Pen-Surgery Stage
After the “search for manhood”, the next stage the “the pen-surgery”, the rituals that climax alongside the removal of the foreskin from the penis. Indeed, the pen-surgery is the most intense stage inwards the performance of imbalu rituals together with includes the rituals of brewing, smearing, visiting cultural sites together with the surgery of the penis. These rituals are performed during the calendar month of August since this is the calendar month of the foremost harvest when people usually have got plenty nutrient to feed candidates, their escorts together with ancestors through sacrifices. In addition, the August imbalu rituals are performed for candidates who are commonly known every bit banabyalo (those who do non attend school).
Before examining the rituals, musics together with dances performed during the pen-surgery stage, it is of import to bill that the performance of imbalu amidst the Bagisu follows clan seniority. As such, senior clans circumcise their boys before junior ones, to opened upward the imbalu rituals. To “open” imbalu rituals denotes the fact that boys from Bumutoto, the most senior clan are circumcised first. According to Naleera, though many Bagisu believe that Masaba is the human being who introduced imbalu, in that location was a fourth dimension when the Bagisu stopped to circumcise. Imbalu was “revived yesteryear a Mugisu called Fuuya, boy of Mukhama of the Bamutoto clan of Bungokho County.”
Because Bamutoto are associated alongside the revival of imbalu, they are considered senior together with therefore, are the foremost to circumcise their boys before whatsoever other Bagisu. In the starting fourth dimension of August, the Bugisu Cultural Board, instituted yesteryear the Local Councils from Bugisu organises the inauguration of imbalu ceremonies for Bamutoto boys to live circumcised. All the Local Council V Chairpersons of Bududa, Manafwa, Sironko
together with Mbale Districts every bit good every bit Members of Parliament from Bugisu sub- part together with other political leaders attend imbalu inauguration rituals.
Another trip the calorie-free fantastic performed during imbalu inauguration rituals is tsinyimbaand was presented yesteryear candidates from Bubulo East. Tsinyimba is a give-and-take used to denote the paw bells candidates occupation to hitting a metallic tied around their wrists to create beat for dancing. Unlike isonja dancers who occupation the feet to postage the ground, tsinyimba dancers occupation the upper component of the body to display the basic trip the calorie-free fantastic motifs. As they milk shiver their shoulders together with heads, candidates spread out their hands. They so milk shiver their heads; moving them to the front end together with behind. Moving to the stride of nanyenya’s song, candidates finally kneel downwards piece moving their
backs upward together with downwards (see also Makwa 2005: 69).

After witnessing the dances together with musics, the invited guests, are led yesteryear Bamutoto elders to witness the circumcision of their children. Since Bamutoto boys “open” imbalu rituals, the courage they display during the functioning is important for all imbalu candidates throughout Bugisu. Many informants confirmed that it is considered bad luck for the umulala (the i who faces the knife first) to shout out or autumn downwards when is beingness circumcised. Other candidates may follow umulala’s representative together with yet a “real” human being must live theater together with suffer the hurting from the starting fourth dimension to the terminate of the pen-surgery. To demonstrate cowardice during pen-surgery is a demonstration that the candidate volition non withstand the challenges of manhood. As such, when Bamutoto boys display courage during pen-surgery, the Bagisu acquire confident that all imbalu candidates volition live theater together with eventually transform into the men lodge desires.
After the circumcision of Bamutoto boys, other clans circumcise their boys but next their monastic tell of seniority (see fourth dimension tabular array illustrated yesteryear Khamalwa 2004: 26). The performance of imbalu circumcision rituals inwards accordance of clan seniority demonstrates that in that location are gender differentiations betwixt the diverse clans inwards Bugisu. By the fact that the Bamutoto revived imbalu, they consider themselves every bit “better” men than men from other clans of Bugisu. Further, inwards all other clans amidst the Bagisu, imbalu candidates are arranged according to the historic stream of their fathers. If in that location are 5 boys, whose fathers are brothers, it is boy of the eldest blood brother circumcised first. However, before the actual pen-surgery, the rituals of brewing, smearing together with visiting cultural sites, every bit good every bit maternal clans are performed.

Imbalu candidates dancing the Kadoodi trip the calorie-free fantastic at Mutoto Cultural Grounds exterior Mbale town on Fri August 3.Smeared alongside flour together with decorated alongside traditional beads together with bungles, the circumcision candidates trip the calorie-free fantastic inwards grooming for circumcision

Khukoya Busera: Boys Sharing Men’s Space
 The brewing of beer, done iii days before pen-surgery, ushers inwards the most elaborate rituals performed on imbalu candidates. This ritual is performed both at the domicile of the candidate’s begetter together with the clan leader where the candidate volition live circumcised. In whatsoever of the inwards a higher identify venues, the candidate is escorted to the current to fetch H2O inwards a pot, which he carries on bare head. There is symbolism inwards the H2O taken direct from the current together with that which people hold inwards their houses. According to Reuben Wamaniala, an elderberry charged alongside smearing candidates alongside yeast, current H2O is preferred because it is running dissimilar the “static” H2O kept inwards one’s house. To usher some i into manhood is ensuring that life is a constant “flow”. To ensure this, the Bagisu collect “flowing” H2O together with occupation it piece performing imbalu circumcision rituals (interview, Dec 28th, 2009).

When the candidate reaches home, he pours the H2O inwards a pot containing roasted dough called tsimuma. The elderberry so adds to a greater extent than H2O together with places the pot nether the pillar of the theater (inzeko) for maturation. According to Victor Turner (1969), it is nether the pillar of the theater that the deity mulabula resides.
Mulabula is connected alongside reproduction together with when a adult woman is inwards labour, she gets handle on this pillar inwards monastic tell to give birth. It is believed amidst the Bagisu that the caput of the theater must ever appease this deity yesteryear brewing beer nether the identify it dwells if his married adult woman is to have got normal births. And since imbalu is likened to
minute birth, murabula must live appeased if the boy is to successfully undergo imbalu rituals. Murabula is also evoked to live nowadays so every bit to bless the boy.

 Normally, the beer brewed at the domicile of the candidate’s begetter is for clansmen to quaff after the functioning ritual. On the contrary, the beer brewed at the clan leader’s domicile is what is known every bit busera bwe kumwendo (the beer for the gourd). In every clan, in that location is an elderberry chosen due to his kindness, firmness
during his circumcision every bit good every bit reproductivity to live inwards accuse of the gourd.
In the gourd, he puts the millet-brewed beer together with it is this beer that is sprinkled using the oral cavity on candidates for evocation of ancestral spirits. Millet is highly considered inwards the performance of imbalu rituals because it symbolised reproduction. According to Wekoye, after beingness circumcised, the Bagisu await the novices to make every bit many children every bit the millet does (interview, Jan 29th, 2009). Like inwards other imbalu rituals, the brewing physical care for is accompanied yesteryear music together with dance. While going to the clan leader’s home, the candidate together with his escorts sing songs depicting the boy’s resolve for the knife.

Mbalu circumcision of the Bagisu people

 Khuakha Kamamela: Enforcing Man Traits?
Khuakha kamamela literally agency “smearing yeast”. It is a ritual where imbalu circumcision candidates are smeared alongside yeast, starting fourth dimension on the eventide of the solar daytime when candidates brew beer together with is repeated every eventide upward to the solar daytime boys are circumcised. This ritual involves putting powdered yeast (kamamela ke buufu) into H2O together with mixing it to shape a paste. And then, an elderberry considered for his kindness, wealthy together with “productivity” because he has children- especially males, is chosen to smear the candidate. As he performs his task, he calls upon ancestral spirits to come upward together with bless the candidate. He also tells the candidate to be
theater during circumcision every bit good every bit what lodge expects of him every bit a man. H5N1 number of informants explained to me that the significance of the ritual of smearing candidates alongside yeast is to remind the candidates close what lodge expects of “men”.

Mbalu initiate showing manhood

Further, the ritual of smearing candidates alongside yeast enhances the Definition of “real” men every bit people who are united, social together with respectable inwards society. The smearing ritual concretizes the Kigisu saying that “kali atweela
kaluma ligumba” (litrally translated every bit “the teeth which bites together are the ones which tin can consume the borne). The inwards a higher identify saying agency that men amidst the Bagisu should live together, united together with honor i some other inwards monastic tell to deal mutual enemies. Otherwise how tin can i human being resist an laid on alone? As the yeast human being gives the inwards a higher identify admonitions, the candidate must remain soundless together with listen. He should non milk shiver his body or fifty-fifty twitch an optic every bit this is interpreted every bit a sign of fear. Other members of the congregation may supplement on what the yeast human being says. After smearing the moisture yeast, the yeast man, known every bit uwakha kamamela, takes
powdered yeast together with spreads it on the candidate together with repeats what he has said before.

                      Mbalu circumcision rituals of Bagisu/Bamasaba people

Khubeka Litsune: Female- Father “Making” the Man
Before the candidate is smeared alongside yeast on the minute day, he performs the ritual of shaving off the pilus from his head, which is known every bit khubeka litsune. This ritual is performed yesteryear the paternal aunt (senje) chosen because of her goodness behaviour, kindness together with production of children especially males. The Bagisu belief that one’s paternal aunt is to a greater extent than or less his or her father. As such, the paternal aunt is given the championship of female-father (papa mukhasi) together with freely calls the woman parent of her nephews or nieces every bit “my wife”. After all, the cows she brought domicile inwards shape of bride toll are the ones her blood brother used on his wife’s bride price. As imbalu is likened to minute birth, fifty-fifty the senje tin can give nascency to the boy yesteryear “shaving off his boyhood” together with gear upward him for manhood (Wamayosi, interview th January, 2009). Furthermore, Wekoye told me that imbalu is a social activity which attracts all relations from diverse corners. And each of these relations must
participate inwards transforming the boy into manhood. As such, shaving is the occasion “dedicated” to the female- begetter to give “birth” to her nephew (interview, Jan 29th, 2009). This occasion also enables the boy to know the significance of his paternal woman someone relations together with give them due honor inwards future

While cutting off the boy’s hair, the paternal aunt evokes ancestral spirits to come upward together with bless him. She also emphasises the fact that the boy should live theater during pen-surgery, acquire married together with make children every bit “real” manhood is assessed inwards terms of the inwards a higher identify features.
Ise senje wowo                                   I your aunt
Shalelo ingurusokho litsune                  Today, I take your hair
Ukuma imbalu                                     Be theater alongside imbalu
Uyile umukhasi                                    Get a woman
Usaale babana                                    Produce children
Umanye basenji, bakoko                     Know your aunts, sisters
Obwo busani bubweene                      That is “real” manhood.
. For example, woman someone children accept their paternal aunt every bit their elderberry sis together with tin can verbalise over issues of sexuality alongside her. As a thing of fact, paternal aunts learn their nieces “bed matters” together with how to conduct themselves inwards union (see also Tamale, 1999: 18). Likewise, boys tin can entrust their paternal aunts alongside secrets close their lovers. Wanyera told me that inwards the lawsuit that a manly someone kid is suspected to live impotent, it is his paternal aunt to “check” to ascertain whether the allegation is truthful or non (interview, Jan 18th, 2009). In fact, the
paternal aunt tin can have got sexual intercourse alongside her brother’s manly someone children if she is to discovery out close their virility. Similarly, during imbalu rituals, the paternal aunt tin can persuade her nephew to tell whether he is ready for imbalu or not. In other words, the boy may tell his paternal aunt his feelings close imbalu especially if he
has some fearfulness for the knife together with the aunt tin can persuade him to withdraw from imbalu.

Bagisu circumcission

Like other imbalu rituals, the shaving ritual is punctuated alongside music together with dance. Among the songs sangs sang when the boy’s pilus is cutting is entitled “Umusani womweene Ukana” (You Demanded for Manhood Yourself).
Leader: Umusani womweene ukana         you lot demanded for manhood yourself
Chorus:                                                   Aho
Leader. Umusani womweene wokanile:   You wanted manhood yourself
Chorus:                                                   Aho
This vocal is sung yesteryear woman someone relations every bit the paternal aunt shaves the boy’s hair. In the song, the boy is told to live strong during pen-surgery; after all he is the i who demanded for (imbalu) manhood. He is also told to live ready to accept on the “mantle” of manhood. According to George Wekoye whose role is to sprinkle imbalu candidates alongside beer, yesteryear re-emphasising the concept of manhood, woman someone relations tell the candidate to perform the roles expected of a human being inwards society.  Among the roles a Mugisu human being is expected of is to acquire married, make children, sustain the basic needs of a identify unit of measurement together with welcome other members of the clan to his home.

After the shaving ritual, imbalu candidates are i time again smeared alongside yeast together with taken around the major roads to sing together with trip the calorie-free fantastic their way to manhood. They encounter candidates from other clans, sing songs which draw their resolve for imbaluas good every bit confirm their readiness to fulfill the obligations of men inwards society. Imbalu candidates from diverse clans met together together with re-affirmed their resolve for the knife. Among the
candidates I witnessed was i Wakooba who sang close his ancestry together with how he had been “crying” for manhood together with his song. Continue here:http://mak.ac.ug/documents/Makfiles/theses/Makwa_Dominic.pdf

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