Traditionally, boys in the Nubian community were circumcised when they were about three years old. As such, this rite of passage did not serve as a transition into adulthood, rather, it was an age-old custom that formally welcomed boys into the community. On the day before the boy was circumcised, guests trooped into the young initiate’s homestead for overnight festivities. The young boy was dressed in his finest quftan (traditional Nubi attire), sometimes made specially for this day.
Early the next morning, the initiate was woken by his mother and prepared for the day’s events. He was first bathed and dressed in a loosely fitting garment that would not cause irritation to the wound afterwards. His female relatives then applied henna to his hands and feet, and traditional black eyeliner (kohl) to his eyelids. Once the henna was dry, necklaces belonging to his mother or grandmother were put around his neck, and a veil over his face. This was done to confuse the jinn (evil spirits) that may on this day seek to steal the young boy’s fertility. While the preparation was underway indoors, guests gathered outside were singing and dancing.
Once the initiate was ready, he was brought outside and seated between his parents. First, gifts were presented to the family. These varied from food items such as dates to jewellery for the boy’s mother and even money. The parents graciously accepted these gifts that were a physical token of the well wishes offered by friends and family.
After the gift-giving, a female relative of the initiate would come to sit behind him and hold him in her arms as the circumciser performed the main ritual of the day. The mother would hold her son’s face away from the circumciser and encourage him to be brave. As the procedure was underway, the mother would crack some eggs into a bowl and hold them under her son’s nose as it was believed that the smell would prevent him from passing out from the pain. Once the ritual was complete, a bit of this egg was dubbed on the wound to seal it while the boy’s father prayed for blessings over his life. Singing were taken up once again but with more intensity. The initiate was led indoors by his mother to begin his recuperation. Meanwhile, a cow was slaughtered by the father to feed the guests. The festivities were kept up for two to three more days before the guests dispersed.
Following the circumcision, the boy was kept indoors for ten days to reduce the chances of an infection. The wound was tended to using medicinal herbs. The initiate was kept in seclusion but was cared for by his female relatives as he recuperated. During this time, the boy was fed on foods such as chicken and eggs, which were believed to improve fertility and virility. After this, he was allowed to move around his home but was still required to wear protective charms for fourty days. These charms kept him protected from the jinn that might still attack his procreativity.
Do you know of the initiation rituals of other Kenyan communities? Comment below and let us know, we’re eager to hear your stories!