What if Valogooli circumcised annually?

The flag of identity and reverence to traditions is raised higher during circumcision - and it should remain so.

Whereas the traditional Logooli circumcision ceremony Is held every after 7 years, there are sons of Logooli being circumcised annually home and away. This ‘lubao’ (hospital circumcision) is stale to the reasons and purpose of circumcision as Logooli customs have developed over generations. 

Since 2023 ‘Lumuli’ age-set, the next is expected to be in 2030. That is exactly 4 years at the writing of this article. Modern life has many needs, demands and life-shifts. Four years, if well for the son, might not sit proper for the parents or mudili. 

‘Mudili’ is the nurse and teacher during healing time after the cut. Best of Vadili are those circumcised in the previous circumcision. In the past they have been always held up in schools (secondary boarding and college). In the scenario where fathers have always been away for jobs, mothers’ roles in circumcision increased detrimentally.  There are Logooli men, stolen by education and jobs, who have never been lucky to fully enjoy the beauty and play their roles in this important Logooli custom.

The disconnects between the sons on the knife, Vadili and Fathers can be checked if Valogooli approved for annual circumcision. Families will plan adequately and conveniently, the Logooli Circumcision organizing committee will have manageable numbers and importantly, the Logooli community can institutionalize a robust cultural tourism unmatched; alongside its national annual Logooli Festival of 26th of December.

In 2023 the numbers of Logooli sons who met the knife are 10,400 (Magozwi, Vihiga Cultural Society Secretary). In 2016 about 8,000. In 2009 about 6,000. These are guesses and mere approximations. I saw how enormous the organizing for the ceremony is and how difficult it was to contain some of the rogue circumcisers. Most never brought data. Regions away from Sabatia and Vihiga is not clear how many were cut. 

An annual cut ceremony can achieve the age strictness. That no Logooli son, below 7 years for example, should be circumcised. The teachings in the seclusion shrine needs someone who can ‘hear, see, feel’ and more. 

The author interviewing Francis Ngori at his home in Mbihi. Ngori is the chair to Vasiza Valogooli (circumcisors).

Also, with ward-based shrines and cultural centres, the initiated sons can well occupy the areas unlike the water-down of the traditions where mothers have been observed to nurse and live with their sons. A yearly activity is worthy institutionalizing and leaving the work to the hands of able men. 

In 1975 (Lung’afa I documents), 705 sons, 550 boys, 608 initiates were cut in Elosengeri, Emudete and Igavudia respectively. Their age-set name was ‘Kilo’. These were high numbers then and 2030 in comparison can only check on their numbers if more meet the hospital docile knife as happening today. 

For the annual Logooli initiates, naming can take even 10 years or so. The way the world recognizes its generations; Gen X, Y, Z. That not every year will will have its name. Yet there will be defined dynamics of each that will collectively inform the end result. This will avoid the naming confusion where age-set names have been contentious; 7 years carries a lot of history with it. 

This article is to encourage the Logooli elders to contemplate on the times and revise approach to traditions if need be. The sons being circumcised off-season as now are losing on much. They are uncelebrated, they do not make ‘viloongo’ blood-friends important for life and are a loss to the tribe because they won’t hold firm to that which they aren’t participants to.

PS: This article stemmed from LoSeKe discussions yesterday (17-4-2026) where Jackson Ehaji challenged the attendees to think of Culture as daily life and worthy local economy spur. LoSeKe is acronym for Logooli School of Endangered Knowledge and Enterprise.