When Circumcision Is Not Initiation - Instablogs
When Circumcision Is Not Initiation
Duncan Mikae , Bungoma: Sep 1 2008
Made Popular Sep 1 2008
Kenya :

When Circumcision Is Not Initiation

The Luhya of western Kenya initiate their youth by circumcision, normally the initiation of the Luhya community of western Kenya always comes after every two years. This takes place every August and is usually flanked with alot of traditional practices. A Bukusu circumciser from Maliki village, in Webuye Bungoma Kenya.

When Circumcision Is Not Initiation

This year 2008 happens to be year of this cultural event, we have seen alot of drama as these initiates pass through their rite, what started as a cultural event now has started taking a dimension that is not good,just yesterday, a man was forced to have a cut, this man who happens to come from a community that doesn’t embrace the cut was ambushed and circumcised, this is turning out to be the tradition since this act is still being carried.

Funny enough,When some are asked why they force people to have the cut against their will, they claim that it was the Prime minister who commissioned them.

This should be stopped because, for us to live well in society with our neighbors, we have to respect their cultures and traditions irrespective of how we perceive them.

Tags: Circumcision, Bukusu, Bungoma
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Rose Ng'ang'a
2 Stars
Rose Ng'ang'a Sep 1 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
Hei Duncan, too bad for the man who was forced to have the cut, okey i agree with you that we should honour other people’s culture but i think civic education here is called for like yesterday since we know the benefits that come a long with the cut, people should jump out of retrogressive cultures and embrace new technologies which in my own opinion are for their own good.And for God’s sake do people have to do everything that the PM AGREES WITH?
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Sep 2 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
Yes that is true but you know everyone should be respected,you have to agree that cultural conflicts are part of what fueled the post poll violence and we should not allow cases of humiliating others just because they don’t practice what we do,it will be very unfair for instance if this forced man was cut in the wrong way while they use force,try to imagine them cutting the whole thing off due to his reluctance,will that be saving anything?

We just need to advocate for circumcision and encourage those who don’t cut to do so but not to use force in making this happen!


It will never be human to impose on others what they don’t want and this is what fails man in all fields of life.
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(Local Perspectives)
Juzer
3 Stars
Juzer Sep 1 2008
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Circumcision is not all that bad when you consider hygiene and the uselessness of the male foreskin. It was thought to be a good enough thing for the Jews to incorporate it in their lives followed by the Moslems.
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(Global Perspectives)
Johnstone
2 Stars
Johnstone Sep 12 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
but you can’t force a goat to eat meat!
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Duncan Mikae
1 Stars
Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Feb 15 2009
Bungoma, Kenya
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Marissa
3 Stars
Marissa Sep 1 2008
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Many Christians like Prince Charles are circumcised. Unfortunately in many parts of the world since the Nazi days during WW II it has become a political choice.

These days it has indeed become a symbol of religious affiliation esp in the Subcontinent.
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(Global Perspectives)
Duncan Mikae
1 Stars
Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Feb 15 2009
Bungoma, Kenya
Marissa,go here and help save the world http://obama100days.amnesty.org/petition.html
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Sep 9 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
It is sad that some people don’t see the importance of the practice.
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Johnstone
1 Stars
Johnstone Sep 12 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
Am a Mkisii,we have the cut and we are neighbours to the Luo something funny is that over the years we have inter-married without considering this issue of the cut,i don’t see why people should be forced to go against their will,yes it is healthy to have the cut and the best thing these people forcing their friends on the cut should do is just to convince the later to go for the cut and it should be let on them to decide whether to cut or not.

But i highly advice they go for the cut.
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(Local Perspectives)
Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Sep 13 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
this is quite informative.
Everybody should be allowed to do as he pleases.
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Johnstone
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Johnstone Sep 14 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
even in the Kenya Bill of rights it is very clear.
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Sep 19 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
And the law is clear on this issue therefore anybody should take the cut or refuse to take it at his own wish.
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Johnstone
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Johnstone Sep 23 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
I have realised that the cut is gaining popularity in the Luo community as the government is advocating for it
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Sep 30 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
yes,you are right,infact i have emphasized that in an article go check out my post on ” two assistant ministers going for the cut”
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Vijay
2 Stars
Vijay Sep 23 2008
Kota, India
This happened in India also during Moghuls Rule,99% of Indian Muslims are infact Hindu.This should be stopped because, for us to live well in society with our neighbors, we have to respect their cultures and traditions irrespective of how we perceive them.
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(Global Perspectives)
Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Sep 30 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
Your comments have always been good,thanks.
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Johnstone
1 Stars
Johnstone Oct 7 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
you are right Vijay
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Oct 18 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
thanks for the support johny
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Oct 14 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
in Uganda,they are following suit,the government is advocating for the cut among the tribes that Don’t cut,this am sure will not be through forceful ways
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(Local Perspectives)
Sarah
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Sarah sarahngb.blogspot.co.. Oct 14 2008
Cairo, Egypt
urm...interesting.
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(Global Perspectives)
Johnstone
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Johnstone Oct 17 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
very interesting,sarah,what is your take do you think it is okay what these people were doing to there friends,cutting them without their will?
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(Local Perspectives)
Sarah
1 Stars
Sarah sarahngb.blogspot.co.. Oct 17 2008
Cairo, Egypt
why in the world would anyone think its ok?
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(Global Perspectives)
Duncan Mikae
1 Stars
Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Oct 18 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
no one would ever think that it is okay,not unless if that person believes in something else,you know what am saying?
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(Local Perspectives)
Duncan Mikae
1 Stars
Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Feb 15 2009
Bungoma, Kenya
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Johnstone
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Johnstone Oct 17 2008
Nairobi, Kenya
some people can think weird sometimes Sarah,there is always a precedent
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Oct 18 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
you are right johny
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(Local Perspectives)
Ramesh Balam
1 Stars
Ramesh Balam Oct 17 2008
Pune, India
Cut man cut.
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Oct 17 2008
Bungoma, Kenya
mmh Ramesh says cut man cut
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Abigael Nyaboke
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Abigael Nyaboke Oct 22 2008
kisii, Kenya
It is not right to force someone to be cut but still they should go for the cut.
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Feb 15 2009
Bungoma, Kenya
well said
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Thomas Kanana
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Thomas Kanana Oct 27 2008
kenya, Kenya
Nobody should force anybody to do anything against his culture
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Thomas Kanana
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Thomas Kanana Oct 27 2008
kenya, Kenya
Nobody should force anybody to do anything against his culture
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Thomas Kanana
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Thomas Kanana Oct 27 2008
kenya, Kenya
Nobody should force anybody to do anything against his culture
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Thomas Kanana
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Thomas Kanana Oct 27 2008
kenya, Kenya
Nobody should force anybody to do anything against his culture
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Duncan Mikae
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Duncan Mikae dunpresident.synthas.. Feb 15 2009
Bungoma, Kenya
very true
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