By Gerald Nkisu Katayi
Jews regarded as a peculiar people by other nations for they circumcised their male children. But for an Israeli, it was the command of God. It was a sign of a covenant relationship with YAHWEH. Israelites took pride in circumcision and to be regarded as the uncircumcised was degrading.
Some tribes in Zambia observed this ordinance, may be not from a religious point of view, but out of tradition. The Lundas and the Luvales of the North Western province stands out. They were teased every cold season by their traditional cousins. It was believed the circumcised are prone to cold and can succumb to death easily. Circumcision carried stigma, but these humble people carried on their tradition. Their women were not allowed to marry uncircumcised men. The theory was the uncircumcised men were unclean. To the rest of Zambians circumcision was a nightmare, painful, a dream and not a reality[pullquote].Circumcision is not in itself 100 percent safe, the best way to stay safe is to abstain or remain faithful to one sexual partner. One poster reads, “Sex thrills, but Aids kills[/pullquote]
But that is in the past, circumcision is no longer a tribal matter. All roads lead to Mwinilunga. This is not to say a candidate have to travel to Mwinilunga or Kabompo to visit with the elders for a “jump start”. Many hospitals across the country are able to carry out this simple surgery. UTH is always fully booked when it comes to circumcision cases. An appointment is only available after a year. In some cases to a get quick admittance “Secret cuts are observed”.
Recently 150 boys were circumcised in Eastern province, several in Itezhi-tenzhi, Kafue and all over the country; Zambians are turning in large numbers to be circumcised. 2.5 million Males are targeted by the National male circumcision strategy and implementation by 2020. What is causing the excitement? What happened to the stigma? Are Zambians going back to the Lunda-Luba Empire, back to the roots and becoming Lundas?
This “new culture” however has become “good business” for those in the medical world. Some clinical officers make a “good kill” as they offer their services after work hours, while some seekers are left damaged; they were duped by con-men to part away with huge sums of money just to be left in pain and undone.
Despite the influx of many seeking to be circumcised, debates are going on; some critics think circumcision is brutal and some how it robs males sexual pleasure. To the careless circumcision is a gate-way to have unprotected sex, could this be a misconception to both sides? The circumcision boom is sparked by medical researchers that suggest that it reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS/HIV.
With AIDS/HIV claiming many lives in Zambia; the male majority have decided to save their lives by crossing cultural boundaries at any price. Even when it means losing tribal identity, these male fingers being “Sexual predictor” are willing to lose everything for sexual fulfillment. By 2020 all of us will be Lundas by circumcision. And the Lundas should be proud and smiling as they welcome their long lost sons from the Lunda Empire days. Through circumcision men from every tribe are standing united shoulder to shoulder, this is the first step in unifying our country, and the second step will be learning how to speak Lunda. This will realize the “One Zambia One Nation” motto. When the men of the society are persuaded the whole land is won.
Circumcision is not in itself 100 percent safe, the best way to stay safe is to abstain or remain faithful to one sexual partner. One poster reads, “Sex thrills, but Aids kills”.
