It’s on a Saturday afternoon at Bangladesh slums, Mombasa
county. As usual the sun is scorching. Children can be seen playing cheerfully
near a pile of garbage and sewage oblivious of the harm this could do them.
Bangladesh is also home to Charles Juma.
‘I am 54 years old. I got circumcised last year. My culture
does not acknowledge male circumcision. I underwent the cut to reduce the
chances of contracting the HIV virus. Older people are normally afraid of this
operation but it is less painful. They are also shy because they are afraid of
stigma. They do not want to be seen wearing lessos and kikoys
,a requirement if you are circumcised.’
Koome Inyingi, a sociologist based in Mombasa says that in
traditional African societies, circumcision signified a transition from
childhood to adulthood. He continues that it was mainly practiced amongst the
youth contrary to many religious beliefs where a boy was circumcised when he
was only 8 days old.
‘In the Meru
community the circumcised males were put in seclusion. They were taught how to
relate to women. Amongst the Bukusu a boy was supposed to watch as we underwent
the cut. It is believed that this made him more masculine,’adds Inyingi.
Kissinger George, the District HIV and AIDS and STI co-ordinator
Kilindini district, Mombasa county says
male circumcision reduces chances of contracting the HIV virus by 60%. Kisinja
explains they normally counsel the men undergoing Voluntary Male Circumcision, VMMC
on issues of HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections(STI). He adds
that after they have undergone the cut they should take care of the wound and
not engage in any sexual activity till they heal. Kissinger also advises the men
to have a balanced diet to ensure good health and nutrition.
Alpha and Omega is a Community Based Organization in
Bangladesh that encourages VMMC.
‘We advise men who have not undergone the cut to get
circumcised. Before the operation they are normally tested for HIV and AIDS so
that they can live positively. The Bangladesh area of Mombasa has a high rate
of men who are not circumcised’ says Alfred Sigo the Chairman of the CBO Alpha
and Omega.
Thomas Ogot, a member of the CBO says that traditional values
hindered their efforts in spearheading the VMMC project. He adds that many were
against the idea since their parents did not believe in circumcision.
Juma says that he has convinced very men both young and old
to do VMMC. He says that he also advised his own son to be circumcised despite
the fact that it does not incline with traditions and culture of his ancestors.
A couple of boys shared their experiences.
‘I come from a culture where boys are circumcised after they
are through with primary school education. When time came for me to undergo the
cut my parents did not have enough money. When Alpha and Omega came up with the
VMMC project I quickly agreed to get circumcised. I am happy boys do not call
me finyu’
recalls Gideon Mwangi.
Gideon shares that finyu is slang for a
boy that is not circumcised.
Clinton Angira says that he felt like a man after undergoing
the cut. He adds that he can now join conversations with his peers. Angira mentions that previously he was
nicknamed zunga, another term that describes an uncircumcised man.
