Rite of Passage: Circumcision

Circumcision is an important stage in man's life. Generally, the period when a child is circumcised depends on their family. Certain families have their children circumcised while they are young, others have them circumcised while they are a bit older. I thought I should share this video and describe the African cultural traditions related to circumcision that I also experienced as a younger child:

                                                                                                  

At the start, each family had one or more kids to circumcise. When the number is known, they joined the kids in a group and sent to the " Sema"( Someone who circumcises and looks after the group like a guardian). The group had to respect the Sema and do whatever he asks until the end of the period of circumcision.

After circumcision, the sema wanted the group to wear a long robe, so they were comfortable.
He gave them a hat and a cane for the walk to the house were the group would stay.

Once the group arrived at their temporary house, they laid down or sat on rugs because the tradition says after circumcision the group should not sleep in a bed. A couple minutes later when the anesthesia wore off, everyone would start to cry. At this point the Sema used fan to cool the group off. However, the group would keep crying without stopping because they felt the pain to their bones.

Families would visit the group and give advice about taking care of life in this world, being polite to others, and being responsible.
The end of the period is the day each family would contribute their part for the food preparation and for the good of the ceremony.

Very early in the morning, the Sema led the group to the sea, so they would wash themselves with salt water.

Canes and robes would be thrown into the sea. When the group returned back home, the Sema would required them to run and to make 3 laps around the house. According to the tradition, if you fall during the race you will not have long life in this world.

A very important phase of life that allowed the group to change from being a boy to a man.