Fogging of man and snips

I dare speak on the mysteries of the faith. Where passion rules and darkens many well lit spaces.

Yes, I dare speak on that secretive tradition where banal answers are given for its, its, nonsensical act as: "it’s our tradition."

I dare speak my two cents worth. Stand where greater and knowledgeable many have stood and I speak.

photo by sm4rtus

I have always imagined that this process, ulwaluko, was some kind of paranormal process that transformed a boy into a man. I understand there is the physical snip – that from a mere cut someone would become new. I likened the process to the inspiration of being born again. See here was another mysterious happening where one is transformed into a new creature with better desires, just from a touch and a a few mutterings. This I believed and understood – through faith of course. I understood how someone could be old, foul mouthed and still have a bad attitude but be a new born in Christ, transformed to live a higher life. Hallelujah!

Social responsibility? What responsibility when your only response is to lead them to the path of righteousness. And if the infidels don’t see, let them be damned… and do yourself a favour and not stand in the way of the ill-fated nor sit in the seat of the scornful...

So there the road to manhood was clear for me. This ancient tradition that had many contradictions was okay with me. for contradictions are the order for faith. The character for passion. Here was a way where young boys were just men. How, by a mere feeling inside if him. A super natural touch from the gods or ancestors.

You can imagine armed with my belief how I reacted to anyone who dared question how and what kind of a creature ulwaluko created. it created great men...

As one boy-man noted: "The ceremony brought about a change in my life. Like a woke up from a deep sleep."

"what happened?" I enquired.

"I changed, inside," he said. "I was closer to my family, my tribe, people. I had a feeling I am really a man and a man has many responsibilities."

And yes a many responsibilities a man has. but how of many these men know it. What are those responsibilities?

We come from communities where being a man means, you dominate over women - so is this the man that is a new creature?

where being a man means you have many women/girlfriends, oh is this the kind of man we have come to honour. Being a man means having the ability to respond - most times it is with violence. (My, my my, the kind of man we have gone and made)

But have we really made or was he not created by that supernatural snip.

So, are you saying I must admit I have been naïve?