Mak Vc Survives Imbalu Knife

 

By Davidson Ndyabahika

At the stroke of 5:30 pm on Saturday November 1, the cultural gala was at its peak as the adjudicators of the day gracefully pronounced Basoga Nseete students association as the overall winners of the hotly contested gala at Makerere University.

Joshua Bwayo stands firm to face the knife

At this juncture, tears of those who had unsuccessfully made it to top the gala were washed away by an ecstatic event of the Imbalu organized by the Bamasaba Makerere University Students Association (BAMUSA), a Gishu group that owes its origin from Mbale sub region.

This was reached amidst cheers and jubilations, the BAMUSA performed for the first of its kind the Imbalu- the traditional ceremony of circumcision at Makerere.

Makerere students  retreated to Malwa after the event

Multitudes of students were attracted to the event.  Weboya Paul the culture minister university Hall also a born of Mbale in Eastern Uganda expressed his happiness having hosted the mega event at his hall of residence adding that UH is on record for its hospitality and calmness compared to other halls on campus.

“Circumcision is part of our culture among the Bamasaba. This event climaxes our culture and it has been in UH for the first time. 

It is the culture we have launched and we want to implore all cultural ministers to maintain the same because what you have seen is just a prototype. 

It has attracted some tourists who are willing to contribute towards the event. “

Joshua Bwayo 16, an S.1 student at Oxford HighSchool- Mbale was the day’s candidate for circumcision and eventually was turned into a man.

Juma Kimanai of Napooli Village, Mutoto parish Bumutoto sub county Mbale District,  the uncle to the candidate confirmed the circumcision on behalf of the family and thanked the students for upholding the traditional cultural values.

“It was yesterday (Friday) that Sam called us requesting for a candidate for circumcision and as a family we agreed to it. They sent us some transport and we were very happy for the way students welcomed us. We really loved it when we were called to Makerere and we hope he will study hard and come here also. Some people have not been seeing it practically but I am happy it was done.”

He also noted, “The association has contributed 400,000 for the boy and I am sure it will add to his school fees. I know in every corner of the world he has been known.”

Muramuzi Zakayo an elder brother to the candidate said he was very excited to come to Makerere since it was his first time and had only stopped in A’ level. “I am very happy and honored for having welcomed me at Makerere. When they called me, I had to negotiate with my family and they finally allowed us to come with ‘Umusinde’ (a boy) and now he is now a man ‘Umusaani’,”Zakayo said.

The circumcision was made by a 56 year old traditional surgeon Mr. Kalidi Kitutu of Lunghangha village Bungoho in Mbale sub region. Before performing the traditional circumcision rites, Mr. Kalidi showed the medical certificate from the Ministry of health certifying his qualification.

He thanked the president of the republic of Uganda for making Makerere university a university worth boasting of and urged students to read hard and become tomorrow’s leaders.

Mr. Kitutu said “I thank my fellow parents who sent these children to Makerere to find good lecturers I also thank the president of Uganda who brings good lecturers at Makerere and I wish to request everyone to put more emphasis and efforts to have our cultures upheld.”

Traditional surgeon Kitutu Kalidi who performed the circumcision.

“I want to urge my children to have discipline and read hard. I have happiness now that these students take me as their elder and respect me. I am extremely happy about this,” added Kitutu Kalidi the day’s traditional surgeon.

According to Sam Mabonga a third year B.com (COX) student who also doubles as the culture minister of the BAMUSA said the university management did not take this with responsibility yet the students spent a lot on the event.

“The university gave us only Ushs. 150,000 only and yet we spent over 1.5 m. Unlike them, other groups in Kyambogo were given 1.8m for the function. I expected the university to have called the media to cover our function,” said Mabonga

He added, “I encourage all other cultural heads to always display their cultures and its meaning so as to help other students who have grown from towns to be introduced to their cultures.”

The ceremony normally is in an even year and the Imbalu (male circumcision) season is a legendary ceremony among the Bagisu ethnic group that marks the initiation of boys into manhood. The ritual normally brings a festive atmosphere in the Elgon region: Music blares, the dance is enthralling, food is in plenty and beer flows. Similar tribes with the same cultural tradition in Uganda include Sabiny, Bakonjo and the Bamasaba.