Elders from the Bamasaba communities in Kenya and Uganda have set dates for a historic joint circumcision ceremony that will bring together initiates from the two East African countries.
President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni are expected to grace the ceremony on August 3, at Mutoto grounds in Mbale, Uganda.
National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula will also attend in his capacity as an Omumasaba from Bukusu land.
In an exclusive interview with the Star on Thursday, Ambassador Charles Walimbwa — prime minister of Inzu ya Masaba (House of Masaba) — said circumcision is an old culture among the Bamasaba, that has been celebrated for the past 2,000 years.
Walimbwa said elders will ensure both countries get the most out of the ceremony.
“The population coming after us will get bigger and we want to write the history of our culture for the coming generation so that they can access it and carry it forward,” Walimbwa said.
“We are lucky that the two nations are under the East Africa Federation which is growing very fast, so we want to ensure that our children grow culturally,” he added.
The ambassador asked African countries to leverage their culture to attract more tourists. He said leaders from other countries will attend the event, including a king from Nigeria.
Walimbwa said they have staged an exhibition over the last month to give people an opportunity to showcase their rich cultures, as a buildup to the highly anticipated event.
He said, that on August 1, the Bamasaba queen will host the Bakelema Foundation which has attracted funding from all over the world. Later in the afternoon, she will host all invited dignitaries to a royal dinner.
Walimbwa said Bamasaba King Mike Mudoma will be making a statement that will capture his achievements.
On August 2, there will be a cultural competition and tree-planting sessions sponsored by a German agency, Grow Foundation. Awards have been set aside for outstanding participants.
“Grow Foundation, a German agency, has given us a project worth 10 million dollars that will be launched on August 2. We intend to make Masaba land green,” he stated.
On August 3, there will be speeches from the Presidents, Bamasaba leadership, and leaders from the entire world who have cultural linkages in their countries.
Walimbwa described the Bamasaba cultural event as the second largest in the world after the Brazil carnivore, adding that plans are underway to build a museum in Mbale to preserve the cultures.
Former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli said parents are free to circumcise their children any day, as long as they observe the Bamasaba culture.
Bifwoli who currently serves as deputy ambassador of Inzu ya Masaba implored parents to circumcise their boys when they break for the August holiday to allow them enough time to heal.
He said the Bakoki age-set will not graduate to Bakananachi this year, because those holding the title are still alive, adding that standard practice does not allow young people to topple an existing age-set.
Three members of the Bakananachi age-set are still alive in the Bamasaba community. In the past, if the time for circumcision came when the older generation was still alive, they would be stoned to death.
“With the coming of laws and respect for humanity nowadays they are allowed to stay until they die. No need to cut someone’s life they will not go beyond 10 years,” he said.