The Ezza Community in Ebonyi State has revived a circumcision custom through which men and women were welcomed into adulthood. It was last celebrated 20 years ago. JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.
In the yesteryear, adult circumcision was a practice every household in Ezza Community of Ebonyi State was proud to participate in. It was somewhat a status symbol for whoever had gone through the initiation rites. It also makes he that had been initiated be regarded as a fulfilled man. Contrarily, those unable to perform the rite were seen as efulefu (good-for-nothing or layabout). That was when men were said to be men.
Every family endeavours to ensure that every of its male child underwent the initiation.
Unfortunately, this tradition was abandoned owing to misconceptions that it is not in conformity with Christianity and modernism as the last ceremony took place 20 years ago.
However, 20 years after the last adult was “circumcised”, the Ishinkwo Community in Ebonyi State has revived the dying custom.
It held the traditional circumcision for its men (ibiugwu in Ezza dialect), which is a ceremony marking the transition of the persons observing it from youth to adulthood.
It is the beginning of independence from parental restrictions and accommodation, and indicates that a man is ripe to live in his own home, take a wife or wives and have a family.
In traditional Ezza society, boys and girls of marriage age were not permitted to marry until they had gone through the ceremony.
It used to be a thing of pride for one to go through the initiation when one’s parents were still alive.
The celebrator was to do no work during the month-long event, but stay indoors and eat sumptuous meals, especially pounded yam with egusi soup washed down with fresh palm wine.
The man is usually dressed in a wrapper, bowler hat with beads and neck chain (iyagba) to match, accompanied by a chaperon. The celebrator entertains his numerous visitors and well-wishers with a local guitar (ibekwe).
As a new warrior in town, the man also needs a gun as a symbol of his readiness to defend his household and the community against external aggression or threat from enemies.
The event then ends with the celebrators making public appearance at the Eke Market Square, with spectators admiring and appreciating them with gifts. Elders prayed for and blessed them and their future.
However, the custom was abandoned for years and subsequently went into oblivion.
President, Ishinkwo Youth Assembly (IYA), Mr Innocent Elum, a graduate in law, said the custom suffered due to ignorance, Christianity and modernism.
He said some Christians misconceived the custom, which is a significant part of the established way of life of the Ezza Ezekuna people of Ebonyi State, as being devilish, which he said is not the case.
The custom was held over 20 years ago, long before most of the youth who witnessed the event held in November last year in Ishinkwo, were born.
It is usually an opportunity for merriment and for families and parents to rejoice at their children’s attainment of manhood or womanhood.
For most of the adults, the event brought back fond memories of a joyous occasion which, once upon a time, everyone looked forward to with eagerness.
A woman is allowed to participate as long as she is of marriage age. In the past, it was mandatory for a man or woman who intends to get married to undergo the circumcision.
“There was jubilation in the community when the ceremony was held. You needed to see the smiles on several faces, especially the older generation. We should not let our culture die,” Elum said.
The event is usually held every November, and has the potential of being included in the tourism calendar if well harnessed.
There is no special requirement for those who wish to get “circumcised”. No monetary demands are made. All the person needs is to buy the needed materials for the ceremony, including a gun, which symbolises strength.
“The yearning of Ishinkwo youth to revive the custom became deafening and I offered to provide leadership, participating fully in the event. We were three in number. But indications are that we may record more than 20 people this year.
“I call on the Federal and the Ebonyi State Governments should pay serious attention to customs and ceremonies that are not repugnant to justice, equity and good conscience. For where there is no culture, there can’t be taboos and nothing can be held sacred. In such society anything goes and nihilism is a way of life,” Elum said.
