Ulwaluko

At least 969 initiates have died from complications resulting from the ritual since 1995. Accurate statistics are not available for the number of penile amputations, but it is estimated that their number is roughly twice the number of deaths. Most deaths and complications are the result of incompetence on the part of traditional practitioners. In January 2014, Desmond Tutu urged traditional leadership and government to intervene, and "to draw on the skills of qualified medical practitioners to enhance our traditional circumcision practices." He furthermore emphasised the cultural importance of the ritual as an educational institution, preparing initiates "to contribute to building a better society for all." Over the summer in 2019 in South Africa, a total of 21 boys died in separate initiation schools throughout the region. The majority of the deaths were attributed to dehydration due to the restriction of water. The Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, recommended that the schools no longer practice the ritual in summer months. On 21 April 2017 a second penis transplant was performed by the same team of doctors led by Dr. van der Merwe on a 40-year-old man who lost his penis 17 years prior to the procedure. Doctors have said that due to the circumstances surrounding illegal circumcision schools, South Africa has become one of the countries with the greatest need for penis transplantation. ==Homosexuality==

Homosexual men in South Africa are still vilified and criticised by their communities. The ritual practise of Ulwaluko is a highly respected and sacred cultural practice among the Xhosa and some Nguni speaking peoples of South Africa. It has been alleged that the impact of the practice may threaten the self-esteem of a homosexual young man, although it is not compulsory for any person to participate. Some homosexual men who partook in this ritual reported doing so in order to receive personal validation of cultural manhood; the same can be said of heterosexual uncircumcised men. Other reasons for partaking in Ulwaluko include fulfilling the desire to meet societal expectations as well as pressure from family to ‘convert’ to heterosexuality through the process of Ulwaluko. The film The Wound premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and is inspired by Thando Mgqolozana's novel A Man Who is Not a Man. which focuses on the experiences of homosexual men during ‘Ulwaluko’. Xhosa traditional leaders criticized the film as being "disrespectful" and "undermining Xhosa culture" as it showcased hidden traditions. The film has been compared to the Oscar winning Moonlight. The practice of Ulwaluko is furthermore governed by several pieces of legislation to promote the safety and protection of underage initiates who have fallen victim to unhygienic practices at illegal initiation schools; these laws include the South African Constitution (1996), the Children's Act (2005), the (Eastern Cape) Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision Act (2001), and the Traditional Health Practitioners’ Act (2004). ==Modern day perceptions==

initiates after circumcision ritual The ancient ritual of Ulwaluko is still perceived as relevant by young Xhosa men, and Xhosa people. [Mdedetyana, 2019] It is a sacred family-oriented practice. Many are emotionally attached and find cultural significance in the ritual. Male circumcision is accessible in the hospital/clinical setting however, this option has not replaced Ulwaluko as it does not equate to the cultural meaning of Ulwaluko beyond the removal of the foreskin.(Mdedetyana, 2019) Several ceremonies take place before the young person 'enters' in which the family gathers to seek blessings and see the boy off. The young boys are reintroduced to their ancestors and 'uQamata', they are taught about their history, are taught discipline, to be family men and how to be responsible young people who contribute positively to society. There is absolutely (or should not be) no sex in the bush, hetero or otherwise, as it is considered a holy place safe for children (like Sunday school). Women and young women are not allowed, although in some families even young children may be allowed visitation as young children are venerated and represent purity and innocence. Therefore, the sexual identity of the initiate himself is less of a consideration, if at all, as he is himself still a boy child, therefore his innocence is not severed at the incision but marks (inxeba) a bittersweet transition from boy to man. He is not 'made' a man in the 'bush'. ==Controversies==

Details of the ritual are not supposed to be disclosed to females or non-initiated males; according to the principle of 'what happens in the bush, stays in the bush', according to some sources. Cultural prejudice may be so great that uncircumcised or 'improperly' circumcised men are attacked and beaten for their lack of conformity, it is not clear conformity to what or the link to the short term practice itself. While working in South Africa, Dutch medical doctor Dingeman J. Rijken treated many patients with medical complications from Ulwaluko. In January 2014 he set up a website to "inform prospective initiates and the broader community about the dark secrets of the ritual." The website includes detailed information about the medical problems accompanying the ritual and offers possible solutions to mitigate these risks. It also features a gallery of over 150 photographs of penises injured through botched ritual circumcisions, with complications including infection, gangrene, and autoamputation. The photos, taken by Dr. Rijken and other medical providers, were published with patient consent. The publication of these photographs sparked outrage among many traditional leaders in the Eastern Cape. They demanded that the South African Film and Publication Board (FSB) shut down the website, even though the FSB was not the responsible authority. The Board however ruled that the website was "scientific with great educative value," addressing a "societal problem needing urgent intervention." == Parallels in Other Cultures ==

Like Ulwaluko, circumcision is practised in many cultures worldwide as a rite of passage or religious ritual. In the Abrahamic religions—which include Judaism, Islam, and the Druze faith—circumcision holds significant cultural and religious significance. Jewish communities perform brit milah on the eighth day after birth, symbolising the covenant between God and Abraham. In Islam, circumcision is usually carried out during childhood as a demonstration of faith and cleanliness. Among the Druze people, circumcision is practised as a cultural tradition rather than a strict religious obligation. The Lemba tribe of South Africa and Zimbabwe, who claim descent from ancient Jewish communities and are sometimes referred to as a “lost tribe of Israel,” also practise circumcision as part of their religious identity. Additionally, various East African groups such as the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania use circumcision to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood paralleling aspects of Ulwaluko. ==See also==