ROLE PLAYED BY WOMEN DURING IMBALU CEREMONIES

Imbalu is an ancient cultural ceremony where young boys from Bagisu tribe are circumcised to initiate them into manhood. In this kingdom, its only circumcised men that are regarded as true men who can be given attention in a clan meeting or during any gathering. Uganda tours can be turned to view such culture activities. So we ask what role does women play In the event that a candidate makes his intentions to get circumcised early. It’s a woman who till the gardens and plant crops that will later be harvested ,cooked and eaten during the imbalu .Women search for firewood ,fetch water ,brew malwa (the tradition brew).and cook food for the candidates and the relatives that join the celebrations .They are not just relegated to the dancing and merry making it is important in the tourism industry relating to Uganda safaris the part of culture and people so travel hemispheres is here to take you to have experience in the imbalu. The mother is not supposed to behave in ways that unnerve her son .She has to show her son a strong heart. This may not be manifested in a manly manner, but in a more subtle feminine way ,like pep talks and moral support . As the months leading up to a candidate’s circumcision draw close ,the mother owes it to her family and her son to cultivate enough crops. Multitudes of relatives and family friends will be coming to her son’s circumcision and will need to be fed .The mother ,joined by her sisters, should also accompany the candidate on his dancing sprees. The woman are also relied on when the male moral boosters of the candidates need ululation(shikalakala) “Shikalakala “is like a celebratory sound made by the women showing joy, especially when he has successfully finished his circumcision .Women in addition should respond to the lead singer in case there is no kadodi”. As the three –day millet yeast smearing rite approaches ,the mother will grind millet to make yeast that will be used to brew malwa. Later the malwa for circumcision is brewed. After the candidate finishes the two rites that follow each other. “Khutsukhamo” is when the candidate brings water from the nearby spring and pours it in the pot of roasted dough of fermented millet or maize flour and the yeast .The other rite,”khukoya” is when he pours the water into the pot and he is smeared with millet yeast thereafter. The “Kamayeku” (pre-brew) prepared by the mother has to be tasted by the intending candidate .