Abagusii Initiation Ceremony

Within the Abagusii community, initiation ceremonies took place after harvest, lasting from October to December. Initiation was an event that many boys looked forward to. They were often between the ages of eight and twelve.  

The day before the ceremony, the initiates heads were shaved and they slept in their mentor’s huts. On the dawn of, the initiate was led to the river where he would first bathe then go on to the home of the circumciser. Attendees of the event were never parents, but brothers were always present. Before the cut, the boy was led to a tree. He was instructed to have his hands over his head, and the warriors present stood with spears as a sign of threat – to kill the initiate if he moved or showed signs of pain. 

The initiates were led into seclusion once the cut was done, and circumcision songs chorused around them. Each new initiate was mentored by an initiate from recent years who was still unmarried. While in seclusion, the mentors are said to have treated the initiates in a rough manner, a process that was practiced to boost bravery. Additionally, the seclusion was also a time of information: telling of the responsibilities that came with adulthood, and practice of brotherhood: no quarrels were encouraged. Plenty of food was sent daily by the mothers of the initiates during this time for the new men to heal and regain their strength. 

Once seclusion was over, there were several cycles of cleansing and anointing – the conclusion of the initiation rite.  

For the girls, initiation was carried out by an older woman with another woman supporting the girl by firmly holding her hands over her eyes to prevent her from seeing the process. Afterwards, song and dance followed. The girl was then secluded with other female initiates for a month to prepare her for marriage and family life. 

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