Skip to main content

Ibi Ugwu (Male Circumcision) In Igbo Land



The act of circumcising babies in Igbo land is an ancient culture and tradition of the Igbo people which has its origin from their traditional religions. “Circumcision is the act of removing female genitalia, or a simple fold of skin (foreskin and prepuce) that covers the head of an un-erect penis”. In ancient times, the Igbos circumcise both male and female children, but as modernization set in, the circumcision or genital mutilation of Igbo female children was stopped while that of male continued till today.

The circumcision of male babies (Ibi Ugwu) in Igbo land is done on the 8th day after birth. This is done by experts in the act, like midwives and native doctors (in modern day, physicians carry out this operation). During circumcision, the fore skin that covers the head of the penis is cut off and the operated part is treated to heal quickly and to prevent any form of infection. Male circumcision (Ibi Ugwu) takes five to seven day to heal up. Meanwhile, some Igbos circumcise their children three days after birth, while some Igbos dwelling outside the eastern region of Nigeria do ‘Ibi Ugwu‘ during adulthood but make sure it is done before marriage.

‘Ibi Ugwu’ or male circumcision is done among the Igbo people to prevent and cure the inability to retract the foreskin of the penis which occurs when the excess skin were not cut off. Medically, it has been discovered that male circumcision has a lot of health advantages which include: reduction of the risk of contacting Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in man; prevention against penile cancer; reduction of the risk of having urinary tract infections; prevention or cure of the inability to retract the foreskin. Circumcision also has its negative sides which may come in form of excess bleeding, pain, injury, irritation, inflammation and so on.

In conclusion, it is considered a big shame for a man not to be circumcised in Igbo land. This clearly shows the extent at which ‘Ibi Ugwu’ and the Igbo culture in general is esteemed among the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria.

If you find this piece worth reading, kindly drop a comment below and share on social media.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BATAMMARIBA (TAMBERMA) PEOPLE: AFRICA`S INDIGENOUS ARCHITECTURALLY ADVANCED PEOPLE AND PENIS ELONGATION AND ENLARGEMENT SPECIALISTS

Batammariba (also known as Tamberma, Somba, Bataba, Batammaraba, Ditamari, Niend and Tamari) are agro-pastoralist Oti-Volta, Gur-speaking and indigenous architecturally advanced people living in the mountainous regions of two West African countries of Togo and Benin.    Tamberma (Batammariba) women wearing their traditional antelope headdress, Togo. Yves Regaldi In Togo, they are residing in the northeastern Kara regions of Northern Togo with the Kabye (kabre) people,who are the second largest tribe in Togo.                                      Tamberma (Batamariba) woman wearing antelope hedddress,Togo  However, Batammariba are internationally famous than their neighbours, Kabye people, as a result of their indigenous architectural expertise. In Benin where they are known as Somba, they occupy the rugged Atakora m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Oruko Amutorunwa (Pre-Destined Names) In Yorubaland

                                                           Ibeji (Twins) In Yoruba land, one of the most important things done when a child is born is to give the child a name. This comes after the child’s ritual birth, massage of specific body parts and other rites as well. Names are given to the child by the father, mother, grandparents (paternal and maternal) and some close relatives also. But sometimes, the circumstance of a child’s birth will automatically give the child a name. This name is known as ‘orúko àmútọ̀runwá’ (pre-destined or generic name) in Yorubaland. The most common generic names (orúko àmútọ̀runwá) in Yoruba land are ‘Taiwo‘ and ‘Kehinde‘ (altogether known as Ìbejì) which are given to twins. The first born of the twins is called Táíwò, a shortened form of Tò-aiyé-wò (taste the world) while the last born of the t...
1 comment
Read more

Creation of Commons: Togo on embers / Strong tensions in Wawa and Zio

Since the new "controversial" law on decentralization has been passed by the parliamentary majority RPT / UNIR, tension is mounting in the communities. Wrong cadres (belonging to the ruling party, ed) of these localities make use of this law according to their desiderata, thus creating frustrations within the populations. When the people of Klabe-Efoukpa and Okou are at loggerheads in the Wawa prefecture, the tone increases and hardens between Mission Tové and Kovié. In the maneuvers, power brokers are mentioned.  When it unilaterally launched the process of decentralization and fanciful creation of the communes, the power blinded by an electoral vision did not see the danger coming. Despite the warnings, the regime refused to listen to reason. The government has cut down on existing communities, which in particular engenders. "The dissolution of the capital cities of the prefectures in a nebula of communes created for electoral purposes". "In addition, ...
Post a Comment
Read more