Manhood must wait: virus delays South African circumcision rituals

PHOTO: Sinoyolo, 17, who is waiting to undergo male initiation, a cultural practice known as ''Ukwaluko'' that marks a boy's transition into adulthood. (Photo by AFP)   By: PHILIP WAFULA & RONALD SEEBE  Posted: Aug,14-2020 19:56:28   Every June and December thousands of initiates between 15 and 17 years old spend at least three weeks secluded in the bush, where they are circumcised and taught to be responsible men. South African 17-year-old Sinoyolo was looking forward to becoming a "man" this year. His uncle had made arrangements for him to travel to the mountains overlooking the South African city of Port Elizabeth in December for his initiation. Known in the local Xhosa language as "Ukwaluko", the secretive rite of passage marks a boy's transition into adulthood. Every June and December thousands of initiates between 15 and 17 years old spend at least three weeks secluded in the bush, where they are circumcised and taught to be responsible men. But this year, for the first time in living memory, the ritual has been called off because of the coronavirus. "If we send them there and find that one boy is positive (for the virus), it means all 20 of them will be infected," said Afra Msutu, a Xhosa chief. "When you go to the mountains and get circumcised, for the first seven days you are very vulnerable," he added, noting that initiates stay in close quarters with access only to a traditional doctor. South African 17-year-old Sinoyolo was looking forward to becoming a "man" this year. His uncle had made arrangements for him to travel to the mountains overlooking the South African city of Port Elizabeth in December for his initiation. Known in the local Xhosa language as "Ukwaluko", the secretive rite of passage marks a boy's transition into adulthood. Every June and December thousands of initiates between 15 and 17 years old spend at least three weeks secluded in the bush, where they are circumcised and taught to be responsible men. But this year, for the first time in living memory, the ritual has been called off because of the coronavirus. "If we send them there and find that one boy is positive (for the virus), it means all 20 of them will be infected," said Afra Msutu, a Xhosa chief. "When you go to the mountains and get circumcised, for the first seven days you are very vulnerable," he added, noting that initiates stay in close quarters with access only to a traditional doctor. Msutu noted that interrupting an initiation session because of a coronavirus outbreak would be humiliating for the boys. "When you are up in the mountain you are not supposed to come back (early) even if you are sick," he said. "We did not want to risk the community calling our 2020 boys 'weak' because they did not finish." Sinoyolo agreed, nodding vigorously at the chief's words. For him, the fear of not being recognised as a "true man" justified the wait and trumped any concern about pain. "It's our traditional thing," Sinoyolo said, eyes shining at the thought of finally being treated as an adult. "Fathers don't like sitting with you until you are circumcised... they keep you apart," he said. "The older guys are also doing things you are not doing and calling you childish, so I want to upgrade my level." Sinoyolo said he would use the extra time to "think" and mentally prepare for the challenge ahead. Chief Msutu, 42, was dismayed over the postponements. "When I talk to my fathers, the elders, no one has ever experienced anything like this," he said. "Everyone is shocked." But he noted that the decision to suspend Ukwaluko had been unanimous. Source: Daily Monitor