Becoming A Man

The Life of a Krwala


abakhwetha

A Xhosa male is not considered to be a man until he has been circumcised. After a boy has been circumcised he is called a krwala which a 'man'. During the initiation ritual takes the male is called a mkhwetha. The initiation takes about three months. During this time the mkhwetha lives alone and is expected to subsist on nature. Today, however a boy brings him food as there are few wild animals to hunt. No females are allowed near him during this time. The circumcision is carried out by trained man called ingcibi.

After three months


At the end of the third month the mkhwetha returns home. A cerebration party is held at which a cow is slaughtered. He has to give all his clothes that he wore before he went to the bush. He has to wear new clothes and a hat, sleep in new bedding and use his own new cutlery.After he returns to society the krwala is expected to show respect and be passive.

These important rules must be followed.

He has to walk slowly and look down in order not to boast. Even in an emergency he may not hurry.
Everyday at dawn he has wash.
His face must be painted with a red clay called imbola.


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