Ulwaluko rite of passage among the Xhosa in South Africa: The challenges relating to poor standards in unlicenced circumcision schools

Abstract

Ulwaluko is a rite of passage in IsiXhosa, South Africa. The rite is practiced for the fulfilment of health, cultural, identity and spiritual needs. As part of the rite, boys have their foreskin surgically removed through a process called circumcision performed by IsiXhosa nurses called ingcibi with the  help of amakhankatha (indigenous nurse). This process happens at IsiXhosa circumcision schools or centres. A genuine school is run by qualified and respected amakhankatha and their assistants with permission and monitoring from leaders and cultural custodians. If not properly done, ulwaluko results in physical, psychological and emotional challenges on initiates, which is why, permission and monitoring are required. The study reported in this article was carried out in Alice, Eastern Cape to understand some of these challenges. The study was exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in design; and used an interview guide to facilitate focus group discussions and one-on-one interviews. The study revealed that there  were fake circumcision schools that were run by incompetent surgeons and nurses. These schools did not adhere to IxiXhosa and government  standards. The fake schools are cheaper and are preferred by parents. However, physical, psychological and emotional risks associated with  circumcision were more prevalent in these fake schools. These challenges could be solved if the IxiXhosa leadership, cultural custodians and parents  work with the government to improve schools, and stem out fake schools. The social work profession needs to understand the cultural, spiritual and health needs of families and communities, and work with them and government to meet these needs.