A narration and the symbolic meaning of the Bukusu traditional circumcision tradition khukhombia kumukango. An experience designed to stir the lion within.
Senje hides herself a few meters from the etiang’i in the path of the initiate. Etiang’i is the pot into which the initiate pours water that they have fetched from the river, early in the morning of the cut. She steps in front of the boy about to be a man and slaps him hard using a cooking stick dipped in busaa, from the pot that been the drink all night long.
This act of senje slapping omusinde with the cooking stick is referred to as khukhombia kumukango. In Bukusu language, khukhomba is to lick. Khukhombia is to make someone lick. Kumukango is the wooden cooking stick used to make ugali, obusuma, in the home.
Acing the final test of readiness before the cut – khukhombia kumukango
Khukhombia kumukango is meant to humiliate and provoke omusinde. They were expected to respond to this humiliation with all the courage and bravery they could muster. To pass this test, the omusinde is to remain unmoved like a rock; just as he will be shortly when he faces kumbano kwo mukhebi.
He is not to flinch, cower or react. Remember this tradition takes place when the omusinde is naked. And vulnerable, covered only by mud. His only comfort lies in the spirit of the words of the war and circumcision songs being sang by the crowd.
The second option for basinde is to use their arm to block his face from being hit by the cooking stick. The defense must be resolute. For senje will have a real go at it. A firm hand that on impact will send the kumukango flying into nearby bushes. With this response, poor senje will have a tough task looking for the kumukango, therefore paving the way for omusinde to face the knife.
Symbolically, senje performs her cultural duty of being the last woman to slap a Bukusu man. Let me tell you for free, ladies from all over who have married my brothers, never ever try slapping your Bukusu darling.
Your slap may remind them of this serious moment in their life. Not to vouch for domestic violence but the response may be unfortunate. That said, this last test on the frame of the man tests his understanding that a Bukusu man remains resolute at all times even under extreme provocation.
I tell you, it takes a lot to make omundu strong.
