Journey to Manhood

Although he is barely nine, after today Jared will be a man. But all depends on how he carries himself out. He must not let his parents down or else he will be a subject of laughter in the small Bukusu village on the western part Kenya.

But just like his father and uncles told him, he has to be strong, he has to endure the chilly weather, the scary forest conditions but most important of all he must conquer the sharp pain of the knife.

His father's words clearly echo in his mind "Son, you must be brave, don't bulge or move a muscle, don't even blink, because if you do, it will mean you are not worthy to be a real Bukusu man!"

Jared is one of the many boys who will go through the famous august circumcision rites in western Kenya this year, an event so famous and expensive. It is approximated that about 6million US dollars is spent on this event with each initiate giving around 600 dollars. This is beside the fact that this area is among the poorest in the country.

"This is a big event for us, we'd rather starve for a whole year, and withdraw our kids from school but ensure that they are properly introduced into manhood" explains a village elder on the importance of this ritual for these people.

The initiates go through a rigorous program for one month before they are considered as men. During the first ten days they go to their mother's home to declare their intention of being men, here they are hosted for ten days and given advice of all kinds. After the tens days they go back to their father's home, it is from here where they are escorted to the forest to spend another ten days.