The Gisu people,Bagisu,Bamasaba (in Uganda) and Babukusu (in kenya) , alternately Gishu, Masaba, or Sokwia, are a tribe of the Masaba nation of eastern Uganda, closely related to the Bukusu people of Kenya. Bagisu live in the mainly in Greater Mbale region of Uganda on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The Gisu speak a dialect of the Lumasaba language called Lugisu, which is fully understandable by other dialects, and is also understood by the Bukusu. The Bagisu people or Bamasaba inhabit the western and southern halves of Mt. Elgon. On the west, the mountain spreads like the fingers of a hand with steep and narrow valleys between them. On the south, the land is broken and consists of a jumble of hills jammed against a high escarpment like a crumpled tablecloth. The escarpment fades gradually to a plain leading away to the northeast inhabited by the Iteso tribe. The Bagisu or Bamsaba undergo a circumcision ritual called the Imbalu. The ritual is held every two years during August. Origin of Bagisu or Bamasaba The Bagisu- have no tradition of an early migration from somewhere. They assert that their ancestors were called Mundu and Sera whom tradition says came out of a hole in Mountain Masaba (Elgon). Their early life seems to have been anti-social, almost based on the principle “survival of the fittest”. Very little is so far known about their history but they are known to be related to a sub-group of the Luhya of Kenya known as the Bukusu. The Bagisu are believed to have separated from the Bukusu sometime in the 19th century. The tradition claiming that they have always lived where they are throughout history is not fashionable. The earliest immigrants into Bugisu area are believed to have moved into the Mt. Elgon area during the 16th century from the eastern plains. Their earliest home is said to have been in the Uasin Gishu plateau of Kenya. They seem to have been an end product of the mixing of peoples of different origins and cultures, but since their language is Bantu, their predecessors should have been Bantu speakers as well.
Culture The Bagisu had a loose political structure based on clans. Every clan had an elder known as Umwami we sikoka (chief of the clan). These men were chosen on the basis of age and wealth. They were responsible for maintaining law and order, and unity and the continuity of the clan. They were also responsible for keeping and maintaining the cultural values of the clan and for making sacrifices to the ancestral spirits. Often, stronger chiefs would extend their influence to other clans but no chief managed to subdue other clans into one single political entity. Other important figures in Bugisu included the rainmakers and the sorcerers.
Imbalu or Circumcision Rituals The male initiation exercise starts with a convergence of all potential candidates above the age of ten at Mudodo or Mutoto, the former palace of the Umuyinga (the Gisu king) in Mbale town. Apart from being a tribute to their fore fathers, it is also widely believed that everything begins from here. One of the unique social customs of the Bagisu is male circumcision. The actual origin of this practice is mysterious even among the Bagisu themselves. One tradition states that it originated from the demand by the Banpa (Kalenjin) when Masaba, the Bagisu hero ancestor, wanted to marry a Kalenjin girl. Another tradition claims that the first person to be circumcised had a complication with his sexual organ and that circumcision started as a surgical operation to save the man’s life. There is yet another story that the first person to be circumcised had it done as a punishment for seducing other people’s wives. Legend states that it was decided to partially castrate him by way of circumcision. When he recovered he resumed his former practices and rumour went around that he had become excellent at sex. In order to compete favourably, other men decided to circumcise aswell.
Before circumcision, an initiate is administered with a certain herb called ityanyi. Its purpose is to arouse interest in circumcision within the person to be circumcised. Often the ityanyi is tied round the initiate’s big toe or it is put in such a place where he might jump over it unawares. It is believed that if the candidate who has taken the ityanyi is delayed or hindered from being circumcised, he might end up circumcising himself as his mind is said to be so much stimulated towards circumcision that no other thing can distract him. On the morning of circumcision, malwa (local brew) and konzoa (plantains) are prepared for the candidates and the meal is served at six in the morning. Only men prepare this meal and the konzoa is peeled using fingers, not knives.
Circumcision among the Bagisu occurs biannually during leap years. Every male has to perform the ritual upon reaching puberty. Those who abscond are hunted down and forcefully and scornfully circumcised. Before the day of circumcision, the initiates are tuned up by having them walk and dance around the villages for three days. Their heads are sprinkled with cassava flour and painted with malwa-yeast paste. Smeared with mud, yeast, cassava flour or cow dung, the dancing candidate is led around the village, visiting relatives to raise money for his upkeep. This may last as long as a week depending on the number of relatives he wishes to visit.
Malwa is a local maize or millet beer brewed by mixing yeast and maize,millet or sorghum. When mature, the beer is mixed with hot water and will be ready for drinking. Nobody knows the alcholic content, but drinkers grade it as tough or strong, medium and light. The beer is drunk dipping straws in the beer. Sometimes directly from a teapot or kettle by imbibing it directly with your mouth on the teapot or kettle and swallow. Relatives dance with them and there is much drumming and singing.The surgeon and his assistant (who must both be registered and qualified) walk around the candidate, performing the required rituals and are obliged to make the operation or else their property is confiscated and severe beatings follow compensation claims from the victim (candidate).
Girls, especially the sisters of the initiates, enthusiastically take part in the processions, they dance while wriggling their waists. During the circumcision season, many marriages break as most women become uncontrollable. They will follow the kadodi procession ( carnival) to all friends and relatives of the boy-to-be-curcumcised, returning home late or comming back the next day.
It is believed that once a boy is circumcised he becomes a true Mugisu and a mature person. An uncircumcised person is known as a musinde. The circumcision operation on each initiate is pretty fast. The surgeon and his assistant move around performing the ritual as appropriate. The assistant surgeon pulls the foreskin of the penis and the surgeon cuts it off using a sharp knife. The surgeon goes further and cuts from the penis another layer which is believed to develop into another top cover for the penis if it is not removed. The surgeon proceeds and cuts off a certain muscle on the lower part of the penis. These three cuttings end the circumcision ritual. Painfull ofcourse but, they have to show they feel nothing inorder to prove their manhood. Remember there is no anesthesia.The candidate is handed stones or a stick to hold up, in a show of endurance and the ability to stand firm with humility in the face of pain. In the past, the operation used to be performed in an enclosure with only surgeons and the candidate in attendance. Not any more, it is now done in public. Without sterilizing his instrument, the assistant holds the foreskin and the surgeon cuts the first layer.
The candidate is applauded and offered gifts such as cows, land and money for standing firm and not breaking down. If he falls or cries, his father's property is confiscated as punishment. The surgeons are keen on using different knives on different candidates to avoid contamination and disease transmission.
After Circumcision
The initiate is made to sit down on a stool and he is then wrapped in a piece of cloth. After that he is taken to his father’s house and made to move around the house before entering it. For three days, the initiate is not allowed to eat with his hands. He is fed. They say that it is because he is not yet fully initiated into manhood. After three days, the surgeon is invited to perform the ritual of washing the initiate’s hands. It is after this ritual that the initiate can eat with his hands. On the same day, the initiate is declared a man. It is then that custom allows him to marry. During the ceremony the initiate is instructed on the duties and demands of manhood. He is informed in addition that agriculture is very important and advised to always behave like a man. It is believed that the healing of the cuts depends on how many goats have been slaughtered during the initiate’s circumcision.
After Healing A ritual is performed. All the new initiates in the locality have to attend. This ritual is called Iremba/Inemba. It is an important occasion which all the village people and, these days, even government officials attend. During ritual proceedings, the initiate could pick any girl and have sexual intercourse with her. The girl was not supposed to refuse. It is believed that if she refused, she would never have children when she got married. This poses problems of Christian females if they are chosen. Previously, circumcision was done in specific enclosures and only the initiates and the surgeon is allowed in. The rest of the congregation would just wait and listen from outside the enclosure. Today, however, all people are allowed to watch the whole process. Firmness the and courageous endurance on the part of initiate is appreciated as a sign of bravery. Traditionally and Culturally, it is compulsory that all Bamasaba -( Bagisu and Babukusu ) must go through this initiation ordeal.However some parents take their childen to hospital for a modern surgery.Absconders are hunted down and forcefully and scornfully subjected to the ordeal. The bamasaba will do it to anybody of their own even at the age of 80 years. They keep track of everybody of theirs even if they live in the diaspora, they will catch them here in Uganda and do it regardless where they fing them. It is believed they will do it to a dead person who dodged the ritual. Remember that 65 year old man who was grabbed from Uganda House in Kampala in the year 2007 and forcefully circumcised. However, mant living in the diaspora travel back to Masabaland for the same ritual and go back after. Children are sensitized and motivated at an early age, so they grow up eager for the ritual.
Tourist Attractions
- Mountain Elgon National Park
- Sipi Falls
- Sisiyi Falls
- River Namazo
- River Manafwa
- Mbale Town
- Semei kakungulu burial site
Paul Okia
Happy Tours Africa
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