ULWALUKO:
The language and rules of the rite of passage
Ulwaluko is a traditional male initiation process centred on circumcision, seclusion and teachings about manhood. It signifies that a boy has left his childhood behind and is ready to assume adult responsibilities within his family and community.
But it is more than a physical cut and procedure.
‘I saw no reason to live’: Men describe life after botched initiations
In this eight-part series, survivors of initiation schools in the Eastern Cape describe life-altering injuries, including loss of genital function, trauma and silence, raising urgent questions about safety and oversight in initiation practices.
‘We do everything the Christian way’: Prayer replaces alcohol in Eastern Cape umgidi ceremonies
In the same ceremony marking a boy’s passage into manhood, two very different worlds are now colliding – one rooted in tradition, alcohol and song, the other in prayer, scripture and silence, as families increasingly reshape umgidi in line with faith and changing social values.
Tradition vs modern medicine, where is manhood defined?
For many families, it is a moment of pride. A son leaves home as a boy and returns as a man, welcomed through umgidi celebration and ceremony.
But as society changes and concerns over safety continue to grow, Ulwaluko is now at the centre of a sensitive debate, should tradition remain untouched, or should modern medicine play a larger role?
An ingcibi speaks
Vuyisile Qhange, 47 from Mpindweni village is the fourth generation ingcibi (traditional surgeon) in his family and believes he was called to do the job.
