The significance of circumcision in Hausaland

Islam enjoins that male children should be circumcised at the age of seven, but in some villages of Hausaland circumcision may be left until the boy is eight or nine years old. It is not every barber that is competent to perform circumcision, but only those trained to do so. The knowledge is usually passed on from father to son. Circumcision is carried at the height of the cold season, when harmful bacteria likely to infect the wound are believed to be scarce. As circumcision is quite an ordeal to small boys, they are restricted on the day of the event lest they escape.

On the appointed day, the barber arrives very early in the morning. The child is brought forward, gripped in the firm hands of the father or a relation. The father digs a small hole with his knife and the child is seated with his penis directly facing the hole. The boy’s eyes are then covered by the hands of one of the people holding him. But if the boy is considered brave and unlikely to flinch under the barber, then his eyes are not covered. The barber then tells the one or two people holding the boy to get ready and really hold him firmly so that he cannot move violently under the pain. He then gets hold of the boy’s penis, draws the skin tight and makes a cut. The blood is allowed to drain into some herbal medicine placed over the cut. He then arranges three corn stalks in a triangular shape with a strong string passing through them. The boy’s penis is passed inside the triangle and the two ends of the string are tied at the back of his waist.

The purpose of this is to avoid contact between the penis and testicles.

The barber then instructs whoever is going to look after the boy on what he should do. Certain food-stuffs are taboo and these are enumerated, some are priorities and these are also listed. From that day on he visits the patient every morning to see how he is progressing and to offer his professional service and advice.

The child is then kept in seclusion. The reason for the quarantine is to prevent infection. The child must sleep on his back from now on and never on his side so that his healing wound may not be bare-opened. He must also sleep completely naked and since it is very cold at this time, a fire is kept burning throughout the night.

During this period of healing, which vary from one to five weeks, the child is well fed and well looked after. His meals must include cooked or roasted chicken well spiced and buttered. When he takes liquid food in the form of a kind of porridge it is well spiced and potash added (Kunun Kanwa). Relations and friends of the family assist with rich dishes every night.

In some areas, to ensure the child does not sleep on his side and that when he does, no harm can come to his penis, an apparatus is devised. A guinea corn stalk of about a foot in length is cut and a hole is made through it.

Then a string is passed through the hole. The string on either side is tied on to the boy’s legs just above the knee. It is tied in such a way that when the boy turns over on the side in his sleep, the corn stalk prevents the knees from coming into contact. If he remains in that position for some time, the sharp ends of corn stalk start eating into his flesh and the pain will make him turn over on his back again. This arrangement, which is called “Karkiya” or “Mari” in Hausa, is taken off when the boy wakes up in the morning and put on again at bed time.

As the circumcision heals, his peers tease the boy, singing derogatory songs about him while he in turn throws things at them but this is all done in a spirit of good humour. When the healing is complete, the boy gets his first wash since his circumcision, gets his head shaved and is given a new “Bante” (a kind of loin or shorts).

In some areas cake dishes are prepared and given  as alms to the poor in thanksgiving to God for the boy’s recovery.

The barber who performed the circumcision is paid for his service in accordance with the financial status of the boy’s parents. In addition, he is given a dish of food and a roasted chicken. In some places, it is usual for the barber to take away an item of clothing which the boy wore when he was first taken to be circumcised.

A group of boys can be circumcised together. They can also live together in the same room under the supervision of one or more adults.  

Religious Significance: Circumcision is often associated with Islamic practices, as it is considered a Sunnah (recommended practice) in Islam.

Cultural identity: Circumcision is seen as an important aspect of Hausa cultural identity and is often performed as a way to mark a boy’s transition to manhood.

Hygiene and health: Circumcision is also believed to have health benefits, such as reducing the risk of urinary tract infection and improving genital hygiene.

Age of circumcision: Circumcision is often performed on males at a young age, typically between infancy and puberty.

Traditional practitioners: In some Hausa communities, circumcision is performed by traditional practitioners who have been trained in the procedure.

Celebrations: Circumcision is often celebrated with festivities and gifts, marking an important milestone in a boy’s life.   

Medicalisation: In recent years there has been a shift towards medicalised circumcision, with many Hausa communities opting for the procedure to be performed in hospitals or clinics.

Health benefits: Modern research has highlighted the health benefits of circumcision, including reducing risk of HIV and other STIs.

Cultural preservation: Efforts are being made to preserve the cultural significance of circumcision in Hausaland while ensuring the procedure is performed safely and hygienically.Circumcision remains an important aspect of Hausa culture and identity with many communities continuing to practice this tradition while adapting to modern developments and Health recommendations.

Abdullahi Danjuma,

Kafanchan, Kaduna State