Negotiating Identity: The Intersection of Colonialism, Christianity, and Male Circumcision Among the Abagusii

Abstract

This paper examines how the Abagusii navigated the imposition of colonial and Christian ideologies on their traditional practices. It highlights the community's strategies for preserving cultural identity while adapting to external pressures, focusing on male circumcision as a key cultural practice. Before the colonial intervention, male circumcision held profound cultural significance, serving as a pivotal rite of passage into manhood within the Abagusii community. However, the imposition of colonial rule and the influence of Christian missionaries led to significant transformations in the practice, disrupting its traditional meaning and social functions. Anchored on social diffusion theory, the paper traces the historical evolution of male circumcision among the Abagusii, detailing the shifts from traditional rituals to more modern practices influenced by colonial and Christian ideologies. It provides a chronological analysis of how these external forces gradually reshaped a pivotal cultural institution. The researchers applied a qualitative research design and a qualitative approach to collecting data from the study participants. The study used a purposive sampling method to recruit 30 participants from the study sites. Data was analysed descriptively and presented in the form of themes. It was also revealed that the introduction of Western medicine and education influenced the community's perceptions of health and hygiene, prompting a shift towards medically supervised circumcision procedures. Furthermore, despite external pressures, the Abagusii community adapted by integrating some elements of colonial and Christian practices into their traditional rites. This resulted in a hybrid form of circumcision that retained cultural significance while conforming to new norms. The study concludes that the evolution of male circumcision practices among the Abagusii of Southwestern Kenya under the influence of colonialism and Christianity illustrates a complex interplay between tradition and modernity. While colonial and missionary interventions aimed to suppress traditional rites, the community's adaptive responses ensured the survival and transformation of these practices. The study recommends future policies and interventions related to traditional practices that prioritize cultural sensitivity and community engagement. Understanding and respecting the cultural significance of practices like circumcision can foster more effective and sustainable changes