The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE XHOSA TRIBE OF SOUTH AFRICA HAD AN INITIATION
RITE INVOLVING CIRCUMCISION. WHEN A BOY REACHED FIFTEEN,
HE WAS TO BE CIRCUMCISED TO BRING HIM TO MANHOOD. THE
CIRCUMCISION WAS DONE WITH AN ASSEGAI (A WOODEN SPEAR)
AND THE FORESKIN WAS THEN PUT IN AN ANTHILL TO BE
DEVOURED BY THE ANTS, SYMBOLIZING HIS DIMINISHING BOYHOOD.
HE THEN SPENT SEVEN DAYS IN A SMALL LODGE BY THE ANTHILL
WITH THE OTHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE RITE. AFTER THE SEVEN
DAYS, THE MEN EMERGED FROM THE LODGE, BURNED IT DOWN, AND
DID SEVERAL RITUALISTIC DANCES TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE NOW
MEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-13-1987