Circumcision, known as Imbalu among the Bagisu, is a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. If a Mugisu has not undergone the ritual, they are considered outcasts. This belief is so strong that even in death, Bagisu circumcise the uncircumcised before burial.

Oliver Nabutsale, 34, from Bungokho Central in Mbale, recalls how elders insisted her deceased elder brother, Elnathan Kuloba, had to be circumcised before burial. Kuloba, 28 at the time of his death in 2012, had not undergone the Imbalu ritual due to work commitments in Kenya. "Upon his death, elders insisted he had to face the knife before burial. In our culture, you cannot be buried uncircumcised, or else a bad omen would follow the family," Nabutsale said.

Her parents initially objected, but the fear of a bad omen convinced them otherwise. If an uncircumcised Mugisu is buried, cleansing rituals, which are costly, are required to avoid a curse. Elders told Nabutsale's parents that without circumcision, the family would need to buy a cow, three goats, matooke, and rare hens for the rituals. "When we calculated the cost and time involved, we realized it was cheaper to allow the elders to circumcise the body," Nabutsale added.

Yonas Makwa, 94, from Bududa district, recalls a similar incident with his childhood friend, Badru Lunya, who had avoided circumcision for years. Each circumcision year, Lunya would escape to Busoga. However, in death, he couldn't escape the ritual. "When Lunya died in 1998, his body was circumcised before burial. The community awaited this moment not only to grieve but to see him fulfill his cultural obligation," Makwa recounted. 
Makwa emphasized that while times have changed, the importance of circumcision remains. He recalled an incident in 1962 when Lunya was nearly attacked by a mob for his repeated escapes. "A mob grabbed him at Mbale taxi park, but three Muslim men intervened. The village missed witnessing him pay his cultural debt," Makwa said.


This week 1,960 candidates aged between 14 and 19  will be circumcised

Despite modern influences, the Bagisu hold on to their traditions. Prof. Timothy Wangusa confirmed the ritual, and Cornelius Wekunya, former secretary general of Inzu Ya Masaba, explained that during burial, the body is circumcised while standing and then pushed to fall as a form of punishment. The body is then rushed to the grave and thrown in disgrace. Apollo Masika, Namisindwa county legislator, praised the Bagisu for upholding their culture. He urged cultural leaders to continue preserving these practices, emphasizing their role in societal cohesion and peace with ancestors.

The Imbalu ceremony, held every two years, is a vibrant cultural event. This year, it will see 1,960 candidates aged between 14 and 19 circumcised, compared to 800 in the previous cycle. Bugisu Cultural leader, Umukukha III Jude Mike Mudoma, attributed the increase to candidates who avoided the 2022 ritual due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Bagisu's dedication to their cultural rites, even in the face of modernity, underscores the significance of these traditions in their community.

Torch Media Africa