THE IBALU CULTURAL CARNIVAL-MBALE TOURS

The Bagisu (people of Bugisu sub-region), alternately Gishu, Masaba, or Sokwia, are a tribe of the Masaba region of eastern Uganda, closely related to the Bukusu people of Kenya.
Bagisu live mainly in the Mbale District of Uganda on the slopes of Mount Elgon one of Uganda safari destinations.
Their ancestral origins date back to 500 years ago when Masaba their forefather emerged from caves of the Elgon Mountain locally known as Mount Masaba as a result of this. It is believed that Masaba dwells in the upper slopes of the Mountain where he conducts his assemblies with lower divines – a frightening thing that can be compared to an encounter with Mudange Cliff while hiking safaris on the same Mountain.
The Bagisu community is one of those communities in Uganda without central authority in form of Kingdoms thus leadership is on clan basis with a non-hereditary chief elected by a council of elders.
They speak a dialect of the Lumasaba language called Lugisu, which is fully understandable by other dialects, and is also understood by the Bukusu. The Bagisu people are well known for their Imbalu circumcision ceremony a tourist product worth visiting while on Uganda safari.
Legend has it that the removal of the foreskin was initially a punishment meted out to a man who preyed on other men’s wives. However, when the man recovered, he resumed his vice with such skill that drew females to him. Other counterparts retaliated by circumcising themselves so as to compete favorably.
Another legend, according to elders, points at a Gishu ancestor who wanted to marry a Kalenjin girl from the Barwa clan of Kenya and was asked to make a covenant of circumcision with this clan. He loved the girl so much that he agreed. The descendants followed in his footsteps.
Whatever the origin, the Imbalu circumcision ceremony held during even years is personal  rite of passage to man hood among the Bagisu.
The function is conducted in August thus can be incorporated in your Uganda tour.
Regardless of other African areas where circumcision is carried out indoors with few associates in presence, the Bagisu declared it a public function even allowing tourists to attend. The operation lasts one hour in which the circumciser makes three bold cuts to remove the foreskin before the whistle is brown to mark the exercise completion.
The Bugishu cluster has the richest diversity beyond wildlife and nature. There is Mount Elgon, Sipi Falls, Wanale Hill, bull fighting and the Kakungulu heritage.
This is one of those last amazing experiences that can still authentically be traced on the African continent thus considering it when planning for your safari to Uganda is the ideal way possible.
Contact us for more information about the Imbalu cultures and book your safari to witness boys turning into men ceremony through info@mbaletours.com or call us on +256-7013679