Even though there isn't going to be any Imbalu celebrations this year in Mbale due to the Pandemic, our team has taken trouble to bring you the History of the Bamasaba people and why they do Imbalu including how it is done as shown in the video.
During an interview our crew had with Mr. Charles, the founder and former Cultural leader of Inzu Ya Masaba, he took us through what and how it is all done for the 11 years he was active as the leader.
The imbalu:
The Bagisu are well known for their Imbalu circumcision ceremony.
“Stand straight and look into my eyes. Don’t twitch a muscle. I see you are crying. You are crying for it. Crying to be cut to look like your father,” are words told to the candidates undergoing the imbalu ceremony.
"This practice dates back to the tale that a certain Mugisu man was summoned by the council of elders because of stealing other men’s wives and then he was subjected to circumcision in Mutoto village as a punishment and preventive action for being adulterous. However, this yielded nothing as he became more powerful and admirable to women. The counterparts retaliated by circumcising themselves to compete favorably."- Mr Charles narrated to us.
Incidents of the ritual:
The Imbalu circumcision ceremony held during leap years is a personal rite of passage to manhood among the Bagisu.
They believe that the desire to be circumcised is spiritually motivated. Circumcision is seasonal and the candidates are first checked to ensure they are Bagisu basing on their clans.
The circumcision was introduced by Nabarwa and originally performed in accordance with the customs and rites of the Barwa.
The Bamasaba refer to their circumcision as ‘Imbalu. ‘Nabarwa’ also means ‘that of, or which belongs to the Barwa’. Mutoto village in Bungokho in Central Bugisu is regarded as the traditional ground where the first Mugisu male was circumcised.
Ever since, every circumcision year, it is customary for circumcision to start in Bungokho before spreading to other parts of Bugisu. Currently, it is performed every even year, but in the past, it could be postponed in the event of a national crisis such as prolonged drought, famine, epidemics, and war.
Although circumcision experts/surgeons are found in every clan, their work is not necessarily restricted by clan boundaries. They often perform their duties beyond the traditional boundaries of their clans.
Watch the Video Interview with Celebrations Below:
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