do we have any? It may have been quite common in the olden days, but now there's virtually nothing, and a lot of men grow up without really knowing what manhood entails, ie what it means to be a man. They have bad role models who also perhaps dont know either.


almost the only well known manhood initiation/rituals are among the Fulani, who practice a form of whipping as a way of proving manhood, ie that you are strong enough to protect your livestock, manage your home and take care of your family. For other tribes, their sole manhood initiation seems to be linked to earning money only.

is this a wrong assessment?

i have thought about this long and hard (no pun, thanks).

by ritual i dont mean juju ritual or anything like that, but ceremonies where a male is fully inducted into manhood -most times after a series of tests, training and education on manly qualities.

It's called 'iwa akwa' in some parts of Igbo land.

It is called the Oro-cult in yoruba

tpia6:
do we have any? It may have been quite common in the olden days, but now there's virtually nothing, and a lot of men grow up without really knowing what manhood entails, ie what it means to be a man. They have bad role models who also perhaps dont know either.


almost the only well known manhood initiation/rituals are among the Fulani, who practice a form of whipping as a way of proving manhood, ie that you are strong enough to protect your livestock, manage your home and take care of your family. For other tribes, their sole manhood initiation seems to be linked to earning money only.

is this a wrong assessment?

i have thought about this long and hard (no pun, thanks).

Wait, not even circumcision? And the Fulani too? Thats very Nilotic( i.e, absence of male circumcision). Do you circumcize your males Fulaman198?

circumcision is considered a rite of manhood in some societies but only if its performed at a later age.

manhood rites/rituals are supposed to mark the point at which the child is expected to become a man.

tpia6:
circumcision is considered a rite of manhood in some societies but only if its performed at a later age.

manhood rites/rituals are supposed to mark the point at which the child is expected to become a man.

How common is it in Nigeria? Is it more like an exception rather than a norm?

I don't really know.

I doubt nigeria still has manhood initiation rites ( except for the fulani) although it might have been more common in times past.


I wouldn't consider any of the cults manhood initiation per se because in the rites I read about in african traditional societies, it had to do with the individual proving bravery, adaptation skills ( in the wild, etc), and responsibility. Not necessarily with physical fighting although I could be wrong.

tpia6:
I don't really know.

I doubt nigeria still has manhood initiation rites ( except for the fulani) although it might have been more common in times past.


I wouldn't consider any of the cults manhood initiation per se because in the rites I read about in african traditional societies, it had to do with the individual proving bravery, adaptation skills ( in the wild, etc), and responsibility. Not necessarily with physical fighting although I could be wrong.

I think tribal markings which were done by painful body scarring were part of it. Some removed front teeth, but the most important part was the secret talks that men are given. In most communities, some oath taking is involved, binding the initiates into strong bonds of brotherhood. The man does not return to his mothers hut, but starts a new life in their own hut. The Pokot tribe does the whipping ceremony, and I believe they have also to prove their manhood by cattle raiding.

tribal markings could qualify if the process fills the same parameters as circumcision.

Doesn't initiation into certain masquerade cults in Igbo land qualify?

i'm not sure.

some initiations are mainly for purposes of brotherhood, male initiation rites imo are somewhat different because they focus more on the individual understanding of manhood. But brotherhood rites might also qualify?

This is the ultimate warrior test,the world over! Forget fake reality tv warrior bs. If you can get the 'ngwati' without making a sound women,cows and respect and respect are yours for life! I can't risk a photo. Look at the first pic.
http://karanjazplace..com/2012/08/the-mahogany-princess.html

This is done by Kikuyus,Kalenjins and Maasaais and research reveals its purely for the woman's added pleasure. The agony can't be expressed in words. Its possible to faint,scream or laugh-the pain is so bad it overwhelms brain chemistry,and as you can see the initiate is taking it the required way-unflinchingly.

OOOUUUCCHHHHH!!

what the. . . . . ..

bro, you should have posted a warning

btw, i thought killing a lion was the ancient required manhood ritual in kenya?

tpia6:
what the. . . . . ..

bro, you should have posted a warning

Yes,you're right!

btw, i thought killing a lion was the ancient required manhood ritual in kenya?

Here's a secret. It was required by Masaais. A platoon of maybe 20-30 would spear it to death and the first to touch it would wear its mane. The truth is Kalenjin,Kambas and even Kikuyus regularly killed them and even leopards without fanfare.

Din't know that!

Does the UN know about this?

It was in the olden days, not now.

kikuyu1:





Here's a secret. It was required by Masaais. A platoon of maybe 20-30 would spear it to death and the first to touch it would wear its mane. The truth is Kalenjin,Kambas and even Kikuyus regularly killed them and even leopards without fanfare.

We learnt about it in school back then.