A senior traditional leader has called for boys from other races to be stopped from undergoing traditional circumcision.
Acting provincial secretary for the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) Mwelo Nonkonyana said this was because the “inherited secrets of a nation are now being sold”.
His comments come on the back of an increase in the number of white and coloured boys undergoing traditional circumcision and initiation in the Eastern Cape.
Nonkonyana said the ritual was slowly being invaded by races which had not practised it “originally”.
He said a decision should be taken to prevent them for partaking in the ritual.
“Customs are weapons of strength and wisdom of that particular nation.
“To allow other people who have no allegiance to that tribe and their king is selling the secrets which are weapons to another tribe.”
Nonkonyana said the Hlubi and Sotho had their own way of traditional male initiation as did the Xhosa.
“All other tribes have their own way of doing the rite. This is similar to white boys. They have their own cultural way of doing circumcision at a particular age,” said Nonkonyana.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima and Contralesa general secretary Xolile Ndevu said they “encouraged people to stick to their respective cultures”.
“The custom and rituals of every tribe, nation or race are equally important in their own right and that should not be diluted.
“If you are a Xhosa boy you should practise (your rituals) and not cause confusion by adopting other cultures. To appreciate and tolerate other cultures does not mean you have to adopt them,” said Matanzima.
Ndevu said the adoption of foreign rituals could create a tribe or nation with “confused cultures”.
Cultural activist Dr Nokuzola Mndende of the Icamagu Institute said boys from other races were undergoing the traditional circumcision rite for many reasons.
“Some were doing extensive research and want first hand information. Others are doing it for fun and to explore.”
But she said the rite was not solely about the circumcision procedure.
“Initiation is a long process that includes a number of rituals like slaughtering sacrificial cows or goats and evoking spirits of one’s ancestors.”
Those who did not understand this and were not taking part in the full rite were “reducing it only to the circumcision procedure, not initiation the custom”.
But Western Mpondoland’s Prince Mlamli Ndamase and Western Thembuland’s Gwazinamba Matanzima said white boys undergoing traditional circumcision should be applauded as black culture was now being adopted by other races. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Cross-cultural circumcision frowned upon
Acting provincial secretary for the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) Mwelo Nonkonyana said this was because the “inherited secrets of a nation are now being sold”.
His comments come on the back of an increase in the number of white and coloured boys undergoing traditional circumcision and initiation in the Eastern Cape.
Nonkonyana said the ritual was slowly being invaded by races which had not practised it “originally”.
He said a decision should be taken to prevent them for partaking in the ritual.
“Customs are weapons of strength and wisdom of that particular nation.
“To allow other people who have no allegiance to that tribe and their king is selling the secrets which are weapons to another tribe.”
Nonkonyana said the Hlubi and Sotho had their own way of traditional male initiation as did the Xhosa.
“All other tribes have their own way of doing the rite. This is similar to white boys. They have their own cultural way of doing circumcision at a particular age,” said Nonkonyana.
Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Ngangomhlaba Matanzima and Contralesa general secretary Xolile Ndevu said they “encouraged people to stick to their respective cultures”.
“The custom and rituals of every tribe, nation or race are equally important in their own right and that should not be diluted.
“If you are a Xhosa boy you should practise (your rituals) and not cause confusion by adopting other cultures. To appreciate and tolerate other cultures does not mean you have to adopt them,” said Matanzima.
Ndevu said the adoption of foreign rituals could create a tribe or nation with “confused cultures”.
Cultural activist Dr Nokuzola Mndende of the Icamagu Institute said boys from other races were undergoing the traditional circumcision rite for many reasons.
“Some were doing extensive research and want first hand information. Others are doing it for fun and to explore.”
But she said the rite was not solely about the circumcision procedure.
“Initiation is a long process that includes a number of rituals like slaughtering sacrificial cows or goats and evoking spirits of one’s ancestors.”
Those who did not understand this and were not taking part in the full rite were “reducing it only to the circumcision procedure, not initiation the custom”.
But Western Mpondoland’s Prince Mlamli Ndamase and Western Thembuland’s Gwazinamba Matanzima said white boys undergoing traditional circumcision should be applauded as black culture was now being adopted by other races. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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