By Dan Samanya,
MBALE
As the Bamasaba extend to the day of the the official launch of their cultural practice of initiating children to manhood well noticed as male circumcision “IMBALU” , president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has turned their positive smiles on by pledging to support the ceremony with 36 heifers
This was announced on Saturday by the Inzu ya Masaba (House of Masaba) institution prime minister Walimbwa Masolo Peke Charles during his appearance on one of the media houses in mbale to inform the Bamasaba on what is going on as far as “IMBALU” is concerned.
“Our president H.E Museveni has tasked the the Youth Minister, Balaam to provide world-class sound equipments and tents for the event” said Walimbwa .
Though the shortcomings of disunity and failure to make one decision and come up with one specific day between the cultural council and the Umukuka who turned against the cultural council and formed his own the cultural board, the Bamasaba of the Elgon Region covering districts of Mbale city, Mbale district, Sironko district, Bulambuli district, Manafwa district, Namisindwa district, Bududa district and Bungoma and Trans zoia in Western Kenya are set to officially launch their circumcision practices (IMBALU) on 3rd of August 2024 at Mutoto cultural and heritage centre in mbale.
Circumcision (IMBALU) is the form of maturity according to their believes. The Bamasaba circumcise young boys to initiate them to manhood which is done with out any medical treatment to reduce the pain, they believe a brave man must bear with the pain to show that he is truly a brave man.
The Bamasaba gained the name ” BASANI BURWA” translated as “BRAVE MEN” from the circumcision practices where boys stand firm without any shake and bear the pain. The IMBALU starts from Mutoto in Mbale because it’s believed that the first Mumasaba to get circumcised , was from the Mutoto clan and the circumcision took place in Mutoto area.
Wilson Watila , the chairperson of the IMBALU organising board has urged the stakeholders to rise an upper hand financially, morally and in all forms towards the event.
