THE HATCHING BIRD & ITS MASTER, UNTOLD WALK AT THE SWAMP!

 The candidates who come through for circumcision camp at Mutoto Cultural Site which is about 1.5 miles from Mbale Town. The elders check the candidates for the rituals to see whether they are Bagisu. In the middle of the crowd, the boys brave the sword of the cultural surgeon to become men. 

The untold walk into the swamp among the Bamasaba cultural insights, on the third day of the knife, boys are escorted to the swamp known as "Mwitoosi" to receive the spiritual incarnations led by the anointed cultural leader on behalf of the circular families of the Bamasaba people.
The portion is surveyed and cleared on inspiration to meet the "Hatching Bird and its master", the hatching bird receives the boys with sounds of origin inviting the master to confirm the aspiration to the boys.

 

The cultural leader sprays out yeast onto the master as it unfolds at the swamp!, it's from this spot of spiritual origin that defines our circumcision calendar is now open among the families of Mwambu, Wanale and Mubuya.
The boys are escorted through, turned with mad onto them to face the knife!, at the place of circumcision, there stands the an apeacing pole with raw piece of goat's meat on it. This signifies the yard for traditional circumcision among Bamasaba people.

In some of the other African Societies that practice male circumcision like the Xhosa, Venda, and Pedi, it is usually carried out indoors. Unlike them, the Bagisu or Bamasaba do the rituals without anesthesia and in public. This allows tourists to engage in the experience.

The he goat is slaughtered early in the morning with signs interpreted by the clans men to fore tell whether the boy will stand firm to face the knife or the times will fall to the fear. It takes courage among boys to stand a mighty knife from a certified traditional surgeon.
Each boy, one knife at a time, it takes seconds with upbeats, at this point the boy stands still holding hands across chest while the knife runs a sessional seconds supported by traditional surgeons, this is  the breathing pause witnessed while followers recall their energies for the three days they carried along with singing and harming the grounds to create courage and spill out the fear forever.

This takes three days into dancing and singing and reciting twisted songs seemingly awash of humility and hilarious as they escort boys to relatives for feasting and receiving gifts in return.
On the third day of Circumcision, the excitement is at maximum and crowds assemble in big numbers to witness yet another day for honoring the knife.

The yard is prepared, restricting only men while a mother to boy to be witness seats on the floor unfold her legs waiting for the final wisow from the surgeon.
Upon circumcising the boy(s), the surgeon blows up the wisow carrying up the knife to signify he is done, the moment is married with illulations, excitement dancing throwing behind jubilations for a candidate has been confirmed into the line of manhood but not yet there!

On the day of Circumcision, the traditional drinks are served, roasting chicken curtails the whole ceremony. The boy(s) receive gifts in all sorts of ways for honoring the knife and keeping his promise of attainment. Besides, they Carry their hands up, dancing, and showing courage because crying during the process is a sign of being a coward and is forbidden. The surgeon makes 3 bold cuts and lows a whistle after removing the foreskin. The candidate after being cut is taken to a quiet place and wrapped to stop bleeding. He is taken home and for 3 days he is hand-fed then on the 4th day he is ritually washed by elders and permitted to eat with his own hands to mark the end of the ritual. The period is always eagerly anticipated and cherished by all people in the sub-region. Parents with boys who are candidates talk and walk with pride about the bravery of their sons.

The uncle's side takes charge on this day, ensuring their nephew is well served or catered for! Three days after the day of Circumcision, the candidate performs a significant traditional aspect which allows him to move outside crossing paths but limiting his hours before sunset preferably before 7:00Pm. This norm is followed until he is fully healed to witness another milestone into manhood, its from this moment on tradition aspect we call off myths behind practices of confirming the process of manhood with exceptions.

Enticing moment!, one can sit among elders and contribute and on even years, he invites, escorts and feeds among men of his kind traditionally.

Part three to be continued..........

Publication for Imbalu festival is supported by Spotlight News channel and INZU YA MASABA together with the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities.

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