Abstract
“Ubukrwala” (being a graduated initiate) is regarded as the crucial stage in the initiation ritual among the Xhosa adolescent males in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, as a passage to manhood. The present study sought to explore the experiences and perceptions of amakrwala towards the traditional male circumcision practice in Nkonkobe Municipality, Alice. Many scholars identified the following factors as primary contributory factors leading to traditional male circumcision: culture, respect from the community, participation in traditional activities and moral values. A focus group interview with five male participants (who were purposively sampled), aged 16-19, was employed in this study. The results revealed that most participants reported endurance, rebirth of self-respect and responsibility. Furthermore, they emphasized that cooperation with traditional nurses was important in their healing process. The recommendations are that traditional male circumcision workshops must be organized by government. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2789
Highlights
Traditional male circumcision practice in many African cultures is linked with rites of passage that seeks to fulfil the needs of society and individuals (Peltzer & Kanta, 2009)
The literature and the research findings have clearly outlined the social capital embedded to traditional male circumcision practice in terms of shaping and moulding the behaviour and men of great calibre
The research findings clearly indicated that some areas in the Eastern Cape are still at the helm in terms of ensuring the appropriate performance of this practice especially, in the midst of all the controversy surrounding the traditional male circumcision practice
Summary
Traditional male circumcision practice in many African cultures is linked with rites of passage that seeks to fulfil the needs of society and individuals (Peltzer & Kanta, 2009). Mogotlane, Ntlangule and Ongunbanjo (2004), believe that among Xhosa speaking people, male circumcision is an initiation that is usually performed to symbolize the boys maturity as well as transition of adolescent male from being “inkwenkwe” (boy) to being “indoda” (a man). Traditional male circumcision practice in many African cultures is linked with rites of passage that seeks to fulfil the needs of society and individuals (Peltzer & Kanta, 2009). Mogotlane, Ntlangule and Ongunbanjo (2004), believe that among Xhosa speaking people, male circumcision is an initiation that is usually performed to symbolize the boys maturity as well as transition of adolescent male from being “inkwenkwe” (boy) to being “indoda” (a man). Within Eastern Cape, Xhosa communities, hundreds of boys aged 18-23 attend traditional circumcision schools as part of the initiation process (Ngxokolo, 2011). According to Ntombana (2009) “ubukrwala” (being a graduated initiate) is regarded as the crucial stage in the initiation ritual among the Xhosa speakers and at this stage an initiate is presented to society with a new status, new clothes, new rights, duties and responsibilities. The transition from boyhood to manhood is featured by the an initiate’s adoption of specific behaviour, dress code, and a new name all these would be appropriate to the initiate’s newly acquired stage
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