Male Circumcision: A Neglected but Institutionalised Way of Value Orientation in Indigenous Ngas Society, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

In this paper, the researcher discovered that prior to the contact between the Ngas society and the Western civilisation, the society like any other African societies had their institutionalised ways of inculcating its values to the younger ones. Through this medium, the younger boys were trained and taught the cherished cultural beliefs, goals, traditions and values of the society. However, this contact had negative consequences on the way these cultural values are passed down to the young Ngas boys because new methods of learning were introduced based on the Western model. This study also hinges on the application of anthropological and ethnography survey guided by in depth interview and Secondary sources of data. The researcher used both the qualitative and quantitative Methods of data analysis and interpretation of the data collected. On the results and findings, the researcher discovered that Vwang as an institution of value orientation is as old as the Ngas society. The young boys learned under the tutelage of traditionalist instructors and care givers. The training helped the boys to develop and take responsibilities in the society either socially, politically, religiously or morally. The paper argued as part of its recommendation, that the government should reviewed the present curriculum content in our primary and Secondary schools just as the case of the Universities so that they will also have 30% of the local content which will reflect the culture, tradition, history and values of their respective societies