The circumcision of young people between ages 16 and 26 in South Africa has led to the death of 39 while many others had their male organs mutilated.

Among the Xhosa people of South Africa, the circumcision ceremony, known as Ulwaluko, marks the transition from boyhood to manhood when the men undergo three-month seasons of initiation which always end with the circumcision.

Twice a year thousands of initiates will venture into the Eastern Cape bush, led by caregivers entrusted with guiding these boys. Central to “ulwaluko” is circumcision, performed by a traditional surgeon and without anesthetic. Initiates must show no fear and shed no tear during what Mandela called “a trial of bravery and stoicism.”

After that, weeks are spent away from civilization in a male-dominated camp, healing and growing into the role of a man before returning to society with respect and the expectation to take property and a wife.

However, this year’s version did not go as expected as 39 young men who took part in the ceremony died due to the excruciating pains they passed through.

The circumcision for the young men is said to be compulsory among the Xhosa people. Reports said without undergoing the ceremony, they are not allowed to sit at community meetings neither are they allowed to take part in some social activities or even get married.

During the circumcision, unskilled traditional ‘surgeons’ used old spears and razor blades to perform the eye-watering rituals under the supervision of tribal leaders, causing some to suffer from gangrene, sepsis and dehydration. This ultimately led to the death of the 39 young men. Those who died as a result of dehydration were said to have been instructed not to drink water in order to prevent urination after circumcision.

Although there are calls to ban the dangerous practice, some have argued that it is an important part of Xhosa culture and every year, hundreds of young men undergo what was described as “the sacred ceremony” which dates back to generations.

Although the men in the community have a choice whether to undertake the circumcision or not, there is however huge peer pressure and those who refuse to undergo the ritual are referred to as ‘boys,’ a form of harsh insult on their manhood.

One of those who survived the harrowing exercise, Scotty Dawka, aged 19, recounted his experience to UK’s Daily Mail.

“I was of course very scared of going. In my community, many young men went through the initiation before me and I wanted to be the same as them. I wanted to be looked up to as a man in my village by the elders. It was very painful to go through and I fell ill, but I was treated and I survived,” he said.

Newsgazet