RESURFACE OF BUKUSU CIRCUMCISION AFTER THE ONSLAUGHT OF COVID PANDEMIC
BUKUSU CIRCUMCISION
By: Brian Simiyu Nabungolo
One of the Luhyas sub-tribe the Bukusu’s who are the inhibitors of Largely Tran Nzoia, Bungoma and party Kakamega counties, their trademark is known through rich traditional circumcision rite that involves a series of innumerable activities before the initiation activity take place.
The ceremony which usually occurs on even year suffered a huge setback in 2020 after the government imposed lockdown in the country to counter the surge of Covid pandemic. It hindered the huge part of cultural process of “khuminya” night practices of playing “chinyimba” hand bells.
The government also banned social gatherings that usually encompasses huge procession which includes going to the uncle’s “khulangana” of the knife awaited boy to be gifted several tokens before he is circumcised.
This year, the normality has been restored with the organisers of the events led by Bukusu council of elders Richard Wakulano assuring parents that their is adequate time for the knive process to take place despite of hurdles of Election and water tight Academic calender.
This rite of passage had been embraced and has become a tool for tourists attraction in western part of Kenya with both local and international visitors visiting the region to witness this culture of its own kind.
The conglomeration of this activity usually takes place in August, with it accompanying in election time, it will be a beehive of activities as politicians will be trying to throng into these processions as a way of identifying with the locals.
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