Bamasaba under their leader Umukuka are committed to transforming the Imbalu ceremonies into an international cultural Carnival compared to the Brazilian carnival,Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Clet Wandui Masiga has revealed.
”As a Kingdom we use culture and we are in the business of preserving and promoting culture and we are popular for Imbalu and we want to promote Imbalu to the level of Brazilian carnival,” he stated.
Imbalu is a public circumcision ceremony practiced by the Bamasaba people of Uganda. It takes place at the Mutoto cultural site and It is mostly active in the 8th month of every even year to initiate teenage boys into manhood. the ritual involves public, painful circumcision without anesthesia, symbolizing courage.
Key Aspects of Imbalu:
It is a rite of passage for boys aged 16 and above to transition into adulthood, making them eligible for marriage and societal responsibilities.
Candidates are often smeared with ash or powder, accompanied by songs, dances, and drumming (Kadodi) to mask fear and encourage them.
The ceremony takes place every two years (even years), with major events occurring around Mount Elgon (Mbale, Bududa, Sironko).
Refusing to undergo this rite is seen as cowardice, leaving the male subject (known as a musinde) socially ostracized.
The ritual has been adapted to include modern health, safety, and hygiene standards, particularly due to the risk of disease transmission, with traditional surgeons (omukhebi) now being encouraged to use safe practices.
The ceremony has been heavily promoted as a tourist attraction, and tens of thousands of people attend.
In 2022, about 6,000 boys were initiated into manhood during the cultural ceremony that happens every year.
The Bamasaba cultural institution in partnership with Uganda Tourism Board has unveiled a plan to upgrade Mutoto cultural site, where biennial circumcision rituals are held, into a tourism centre.
Mutoto cultural ground is believed to be the place where circumcision, a ritual among the Bamasaba that initiates boys into men, was first conducted by the Gisu in Elgon region that covers five districts.
The Bamasaba, found mainly in Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Sironko, and Bulambuli districts of Eastern Uganda, on the slopes of Mountain Elgon, are believed to be descendants of Masaba.
Inzu Ya Masaba cultural leaders, said the cultural centre will help boost tourism.
“We have cherished this ritual for more than 200 years. It’s unique and marketable and developing this site into a tourism centre is of great importance,” Mr Omar Njofu, the chairperson of the cultural council, said.
Njofu said the institution has taken long to develop the circumcision ritual into a tourism attraction because of lack of resources.
The Bamasaba cultural leaders appealed to government to consolidate more effort in addressing critical sectors like health, infrastructure and education.