Imbalu ritual is held every even year among the Bamasaba, who hail from the districts of Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Bulambuli, Namisindwa, and some parts of Kenya. This ritual initiates boys to manhood. Every even year some boys are taken through the Imbalu rituals at Mutoto Cultural Ground near Mbale town. This is always the official ceremony. Elders say the traditional ritual is being eroded by educated Bagisu men who are circumcising their children at an early. The elders are sacred the tradition is facing extinction gradually. They argue that ancestors must be wailing wherever they are, when they see what is happening to our imbalu. Our sacred ritual, has been diluted…..it is now turning into a practice of mere cutting of the foreskin of the penis. This is a total disgrace. During the old good days, whenever the circumcision year arrived, the festive atmosphere was irresistible as the blowing of horns and playing of Kadodi took over. But that is dying out and I am sure our gods are angry and one day, they will make us pay heavily for this. Families would be actively involved in selecting candidates to be taken through several rituals, including dancing and singing the traditional imbalu songs, visiting relatives and practicing Isonjo dance, among others, which would last for more than eight months. The activities would climax with the candidates facing the knife, starting from the month of August after the official launch at Mutoto Cultural Grounds. What you find now is educated Gishu men, circumcising their children like Muslims. Others have become shameless and take their children to hospitals. With Covid 19 this year, the situation is getting out of hand. https://www.mountaingorillacoffeetours.com/ #Bamasaba #imbalu #culture #uganda #kenya #tourism #hospital #kadodi @wetalajulius @timeforafricatravel @travelkisoro @kipepeoexperienceworld @thehorizonadventures https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tvA-iDAeE/?igshid=r3ks5xfjq63t
