The Bukusu circumcision ceremony is marked by a series of traditional rituals aimed at preparing and cleansing the tools and initiators before the boys are initiated into manhood.
WKT caught up with circumcisers from the Kivinga Stars Association as they gathered for the traditional Luvito ritual, where scalpels to be used during this year’s initiation ceremony were “spiritually cleansed.”
The group held the ceremony at the banks of the Kipkaren River, at the home of association chairman Martin Wavomba, and brought together 12 initiators drawn from the Bukusu, Tachoni and Banyala sub-tribes across Lugari.
The circumcision knives were carefully arranged outside the homestead, with the barefoot circumcisers standing behind them as family members and neighbours watched. Among the items placed near the knives were a guard containing locally brewed chang’aa, crushed charcoal, dust and pieces of clothing—objects believed to hold traditional significance during the cleansing ritual.
Leading the ceremony, Mzee Wavomba wore a traditional crown, held a white chicken and blew a whistle as he led chants in Lubukusu, encouraging the initiators to embrace the responsibility ahead. The white hen was later slaughtered, with its blood sprinkled around the knives before it was left to roam until it collapsed.
“A slaughtered white hen is meant as a sacrifice to cleanse and bring good luck to the boys who will pass through the initiation ceremony,” said David Musambai, the Kivinga Stars treasurer.
An elder also took part in the ritual by drinking from the guard containing chang’aa, a traditional brew, another symbolic act in the traditional ceremony.
During his address, Wavomba raised concerns over what he termed neglect of culture for Western values in the area, especially by administrations, such as the County Government of Kakamega.
“Other areas like Bungoma have got the attention of the county government when it comes to culture, but we from Kakamega County have been neglected. We know there is money allocated to promote culture, but we have never had any,” he said, urging authorities to support cultural practices in the region.
