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Heavy responsibilities for elder aunt among the Logooli

With Seenge Fonesi. She is the elder grand daughter of Isagi and elder daughter of Amugasya. She is often present in functions involving the family of Amugasya. Pic taken on 18/4/2024. The elder sister soon becomes the elder aunt. It is this “seenge munene” (elder aunt) tag that she is tied to many cultural responsibilities – back home. To her marital family she may appear as any other woman, but she is not so in the eyes of her people. Marriage does not steal her away as it would happen with other daughters of the old man. To her, as days go and the old man and woman of the estate are dependents, she becomes increasingly present.  Her brothers also need her for almost all traditional markings. They are marrying, she needs to welcome the new wife. They are giving birth, she needs to come to midwife or “bless” the new born. They are paying dowry she needs to lead the women delegate. There is a conflict she needs to come for a hearing.  And many others. Traditions does not expect her to
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Kikevo 2023; Open field Baraza discussions

pic; A baraza gathering at Mudungu [Wodanga Location] Chief's grounds on 3rd July 2023 to communicate on the preparations for August circumcision.

The Maragoli Council of Elders is conducting open field baraza days to share with Avarogōri about the expected 2023 circumcision event in August. This is expected to prepare the community adequately for the event, increasing communication flow and avoiding confusion in the process. It is largely about looking at past successes and shortcomings to ensure a successful traditional event for the tribe’s pride.

The engagement centers on the following main areas. 

  • Sanitation and Centre of activity

Avaogōri used to change circumcision sites often. It was believed that having a specific area would cause the enemy to bewitch it and lead to unsuccessful operations. Any random valley bottom place would be chosen on the eve of the cut. However it has happened before when the cut has been done on roads, by homes and at night. To avoid rehappening, the identified valley bottom will be the only place for the cut and no other place. Each child will have separate cut tools and selected circumcisers will be badged and in gloves to avoid contamination. 

  • The role of the Woman

A woman’s role in traditional circumcision is curtailed to food hospitality and not taking a frontline role. She should not take her son for the cut nor directly live with him at healing period. Nursing is a task of the man, Umudiri. He bathes the initiate if need be, observes healing progress, offers storytelling, serves food and answers to their needs and questions. He is the link between the initiate and the parents. Single-mother homes have male relatives who are significant to take up the role of a boy in such a circumstance. 

  • Law and order

Under the Council of Elders, the local administration including the Location Chief, Assistant Chiefs and Village Elders are taking an active role in the planning and expected to lead the ground work. They are responsible for taking register of initiates-to-be. It is at the Chief’s camp that the traditional circumcisers shall report at, to avoid entry of unauthorized ones. During the barazas, the community is asked to refrain from extremes. Drinking liquor is discouraged as untraditional while attending to initiates, song and dance should be peaceful as well as restrain from theft during the time. 

  • Costing and Extra costing

A total of Ksh. 550 shall be paid by the parent or guardian at the arrival of the boy for circumcision in the valley bottom. This money is structured that Ksh. 150/- goes to administrative duties while Ksh 400/- is for the Surgery and Follow-up session, collected by the circumciser. No more monies should be given out for the outlined activity. Where a giving is needed to be added, it should be in the form of a good for special cases. These are when a boy comes before the circumciser with a defect or having been born as a twin. Here, only a hen is required. Earlier on a goat was paid but they are no more as people do not have them.


The above is part of the broad discussions ongoing and more shall be included in the continuum of articles on this blog.

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