About the Khweta Circumcision Ceremony

The African Khweta Circumcision Ceremony is a South African tradition where boys are sent to a "circumcision lodge". The Xhosa boys reside in isolation for the winter months while they undergo difficult tests of stamina and get circumcised. In addition, the lodge master teaches the group of boys about the conduct, social duties, traditions, and political obligations. Because all knowledge comes from the lodge master, much of the lodge masters' character and knowledge resembles the lodge masters. The lodge boys/men keep details a close secret so it is difficult to know about exact details from the ceremony. It is concerning to think how much influence one man can have on a group of boys. It is even more concerning to think this man as corrupt. However, this ceremony is necessary in order to get married and in order to be respected as a man. Upon their arrival during the Spring, the men paint their bodies white, wear sheepskin as a coat, a reed skirt, a cone hat made out of reed, and lastly a mask made out of reed in order to keep evil spirits away. These costumes are worn while performing dances to the neighboring huts. Next, in the spring, the circumcision takes place. After, the costumes are burned and the young men are driven to a river by their initiators who thrash them ceremonially, they bath in the river where their white paint is washed off.



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