Ethnography and ethno-music of babukusutraditional male circumcision; messaging,symbolism and rationale

Abstract

In societies where male circumcision is practiced in Eastern and Southern Africa, circumcision is considered as a rite of passage into manhood, Columbia Encyclopaedia[1]. In Sub-Saharan Africa, about two-thirds of men circumcise, while in Kenya male circumcision is practiced by many communities including 84% of Kenyan men, G.O.K Kenya[2]. Among Babukusu of western Kenya, traditional male circumcision entails three stages: preparation to circumcise, the actual circumcision and post-circumcision rites. These stages are engrossed by elaborate detail of ritual and ceremony that is laden with messaging, symbolism and rationale especially through music. Inevitable gradual changes in the form, content, practice and performance of Babukusu male circumcision have emasculated the erstwhile structural and functional featuresof the practice. It is arguable that currently its function hardly goes beyond a mark of cultural identity, Wanyama[3]. However, most messages expressed, especially in the music performed in the ceremony and the initiation package, are still relevant in modern times because themes therein are current and topical, for instance: sensitization on HIV and AIDS, and perpetuation of morals (ibid). This paper explains by means of detailed ethnography and ethno-music the significance of messages communicated during Babukusu male circumcision practice. Two questions answered by this paper are: What is the message passed through ethnographic initiation rites and through music and performance? Why are initiation and music messages that epitomize Babukusu male circumcision such important to the practice and life of Babukusu as a community? The paper assumes that the male circumcision practice of Babukusu is an avenue for moralistic and life messaging not to the initiate alone but to the wider community. This messaging is communicated through two channels, first through the initiation packages passed to the boy and two through music that characteristically embodies the importance of male circumcision from its mythical origin. In this study, data is derived from two sources; first from ethnography of Babukusu male circumcision and second from circumcision ethno-music. Both sources of data provide a fusion of qualitative information that forms the basis of arguing this paper. At each of the three phases that mark Babukusu male circumcision, ethnography and ethno-music carry symbolic messages that initiate the boy into adulthood and also that concern and inform the community about topical issues that affect the group and the rest of the world. They also convey important life messages about Babukusu and their values, morals, beliefs and lifestyles. The significance and importance of this traditional rite is captured through this rich ethnography and ethno-music and to understand the importance of the practice, we explore overt and covert symbolic meanings in circumcision messages.