Bagisu tribe and embalu ( circumcision ritual)

Bagisu is one of Ugandan tribes in east. They live along mountain Elgon (masaba). It is said that they were ancestors of kintu. They practice agriculture for their survival. The favorite dish of the Bagisu is a malewa ( a certain type of mountain bamboo). The are home welcoming, social in nature. They believed in local gods for example they worshiped mountain Elgon.
The Bagisu perform initiation ceremony to prove manhood. Youth of 18 years and above under go circumcision (embalu). This is done by local surgeons using knives to cut off foreskin. Before the candidates dance local dance called kadodi throughout night to morning when circumcision is done after embalu is cut the candidate is ready for marriage. For a man to marry among the Bagisu has to circumcise.

Mbale is a hometown of the Bagisu. circumcision (embalu), a ritual practiced by the bagisu. They are classified into two groups bamasaba and bakusu. Bagisu are one of Bantu tribes who inhabit the Mountain Elgon.

During imbalu “circumcision”, candidates stand firm to reflect their courage. The ritual is conducted in August. Itinyi a local herb is used to give courage to candidates. They go to their relatives declaring their intentions of being circumcised ” imbalu”, after candidates gathered at Mutoto grounds. At this time elders lead candidates to be circumcised in traditional wear, while dancing “kadodi” and singing cultural songs. Candidates decorated in plant leaves and animal skins and their faces are covered with ash or flour.

Friends, marching and dancing through the village roads. When it is time for circumcision, the candidate raises his hands. A surgeon makes three bold cuts to remove the foreskin of the candidates. A whistle is blown to mark the completion of the exercise. He is then led to the quiet place where he is seated and wrapped in a cloth before bleeding stops with his hands.