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August 13, 2006
Lwe Liswa Ni Bulamu Bwe, Masaba Region
Young man participating in the inauguaration day celebration for the Bagisu male circumcision ritual.
On one of the most important days of his life...
12 August 2006
Mt. Elgon is the colonial name given to the Masaba Mountain. The Bagisu people inhabit the southern and western areas of Masaba. Male circumcision is an important part of Bagisu culture. Every even year, a five month ritual for male circumcision commences.
Dancing under the hot sun.
The singing, dancing, and cutting began on Friday, 11 August 2006, the inauguration day for Bagisu male circumcision. Friday was the kick-off event.
Thousands of people gather to dance, sing and prepare the young men for their initiation into manhood.
The Uganda Minister of Culture and other government officials sat under white tents as boys from the various Masaba clans performed elaborate dances, clad in beads, animal skins, and musical accessories. Journalists and ethnomusicologists documented the event with video cameras, steno pads, and huge high-tech microphones.
Uganda's Minister of Culture watches the performance.
The circumcision candidates will continue to sing and dance in their villages for their family and friends to prepare for their respective circumcisions, which will happen sometime between now and December 2006. (The actual circumcisions did not occur at the inauguration ceremony.)
Armed guard at ceremony.
I had goosebumps the whole time…it was incredible. I’m so grateful that I got to experience such a rich piece of Ugandan culture.
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Charles & James' House: Construction began on Friday. Plastering inside and outside is complete. The floor and veranda will be completed by Tuesday, 15 August 2006. I'm going to visit the house on Monday. Charles and his brothers are so grateful and happy. Special thanks to all those who helped make their new, improved home a reality!
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Wickliff: Young, sweet Wickliff is improving. His treatment plan consists of some medications and eating - yogurt, especially. Wickliff doesn't like yogurt, but the doctor insists. His malnutrition wasn't severe enough to warrant a feeding tube, but his recovery will still take time and patience. He'll be in the hospital for another week, maybe two. Grandma somehow found her longlost brother, and he came to visit her. She is content.
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Peter: A messenger from Sibanga delivered good news about Peter's leg - the wound is healing and he is walking better. Tabitha, the community health worker, continues to care for his leg and ensure a quick recovery.
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Demonstration hen at poultry project training workshop.
Poultry Project: Training workshop on Saturday, 12 August 2006, went well. Everyone showed up, plus one. Don't know how that happened, but we'll be supporting 21 families now, which is a good thing.
Although we had a late start (scheduled time:8am, actual starting time: 10:45am), the basic topics were covered and the families left enthusiastic and ready to rear some chickens.
Poultry project training workshop.
The man suppling the hens & cocks facilitated the workshop. He was amazing. The demonstration hen he carried along laid an egg during the "housing" discussion. He engaged the participants, too. Many of the children and their guardians took notes, if they could write. Many of the participants speak different languages and only a few understand English; therefore, two of the TASO counselors translated for the trainer. Some of them traveled so far (two day trips for some) to be there. It's all starting to come together.
Now, comes the hard part - getting all the chickens and bicycles delivered next week. I hope we make it happen!
Robert, TASO Counselor, & Sarah, TASO Project Officer, watch the trainer demonstrate poultry vaccination.
Posted by kmf23 at August 13, 2006 01:11 AM
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Comments
effie's actual comment..."How do you think kel got close enough to take that picture...isn't that dangerous....?"I love you~be safe-maria
Posted by: Maria at August 14, 2006 09:53 AM