Uganda's Bamasaaba people's Imbalu ritual, a mass circumcision event, faces controversy due to government and corporate sponsorship.

Uganda's remote mountainous east is home to the Bamasaaba people, whose sacred Imbalu ritual, a mass circumcision event for thousands of boys, has faced controversy due to government and corporate sponsorship. The king, or Umukuuka, has defended transforming the tradition into a tourist event, citing economic challenges and the need for modernization. However, some locals argue that the ritual is being trivialized and exposed to outside interests. The dispute raises questions about the balance between preserving cultural traditions and adapting to modern times.

August 11, 2024
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