Circumcision

December is the month for circumcision. With the Luhya tribe, boys undergo the rite of passage at about the age of 13. The big ceremonies occur every two years. As we sat the other evening with the self-help group meeting the representatives of Shelter Forum, we heard the voices of boys as they marched from house to house in the gathering dusk. They sang as they were gathered food, gifts (& undoubtedly courage) for the upcoming 'cut'. They would be housed together, away from their families,, for almost a month as they healed. This is the traditional time for teaching on 'how to be a man.' Many boys used to return to the house primed never to lift a finger for any household chore which would be 'women's work.' In some comm unties there is nowadays more teaching about responsibility, HIV and education.
I have said before that this local tribe does not practice Female Genital Mutilation but many hundreds of girls suffer the 'female circumcision' in other areas. Some try to flee, some fathers protect their daughters, only to be opposed by the mother, some mothers try to remove their child, only to be frustrated by fathers or brothers who want the 'bride price' for their little sister.
Refusing the 'cut' means estrangement from the community in most cases. Undergoing it inevitably means dropping out of school and early marriage.
The government is also promoting male circumcision as a means of reducing the spread of HIV. The young man we support who is training to be a Clinical Officer phoned us the other evening. He is away on 'attachment' (practical training). Things are going well, but could we send him some money for a circumcision 'kit'? After questions and deliberation, we sent him about $25 but since then his phone has been off. I'm sure we'll hear from him again soon.