Susceptibility of Contracting Diseases during the Traditional Male Circumcision (TMC) Rite of Males in Alice, South Africa (Eastern Cape): Implication to Social Work

This paper, using an explorative and descriptive design facilitated by an interview schedule, explored the potential of male adolescents undergoing the rite of traditional male circumcision contracting diseases. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to interview the initiates, traditional surgeons and nurses, parents, traditional leaders, and representatives from the Association of Iingcibi Namakhankatha. The findings revealed that the contraction of diseases during the traditional male circumcision rite of passage often occurs due to the sharing of the circumcising sword called assegai (umdlanga) by the traditional surgeons (iingcibi); the sharing of bandages by traditional nurses (amakhankatha); and teachings that condone maladaptive sexual behaviours. The hospitalisation of initiates also occurs because of diseases and infections contracted during the initiation. This paper recommends that the government and non-governmental health institutions collaborate with cultural custodians to ensure a safer environment for this rite. The study is a platform to extend more research into the domain of traditional male circumcision. Keywords: Sexually transmitted Diseases, the rite of passage, circumcision sword (assegai), Traditional surgeons (iingcibi), Traditional nurses (amakhankatha)