Post-colonial change in male circumcision and its influence on morality of the youths in Tigania, kenya (1963 - 2023)

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze the post-colonial change in male circumcision and its influence on the morality of youths in Tigania from 1963 to 2023. Traditional circumcision was one of the cultural practices that marked the transition of an individual from childhood to adulthood; it also influenced the morality of the youths in Tigania community both negatively or positively. However, the postcolonial change in Tigania has undergone significance change from traditional to modern male circumcision, which has created notable cultural shift and conflicting ideas in Tigania community. The main objectives of this study were to establish the role of male circumcision in influencing morality of youths in Tigania community, to examine the post-colonial change in male circumcision in Tigania from 1963 to 2023 and finally the study assessed the role of emerging trends in male circumcision in influencing the morality of youths in Tigania by 2023. The descriptive research design was employed by the study, the study was conducted in Tigania East and Tigania West. The target population of 47,553 which was drawn from four wards, which were purposively sampled because they adapted modernization earlier than other areas in Tigania, these wards include, Kianjai, Kiguchwa-Michimikuru, Muthara and Mikinduri. The concept of data saturation was used and it was achieved at 38th respondent when all themes began to be repetitive. Snowballing technique was used to select the respondent. The Indepth Interview Guide, Focus Group Discussion and Observation are instruments used for data collection. Descriptive narrative design was used and the data was analysed qualitatively using historical narrative, thematic and document analysis guided by the research objectives. Data was evaluated through internal and external criticism, data contextualization, and colligation of events. The study corroborated the oral sources, archival information from Kenya National Archives (KNA) and the relevant secondary data. Data interpretation was done through the use the acculturation theory. The study established that the traditional circumcision played a significant role in influencing the morality of youths both negatively and positively. It was also found that the post-colonial change in male circumcision transformed the traditional detailed rite of circumcision to a modern way of circumcision through urbanization, economic constrains, modern school system and government policies. These catalysts of change led to emerging blended trends in male circumcision that has continued to influence on the morality of youths significantly.The reduction of traditional detailed circumcision practices has led to significant lose of the moral values of the Tigania community although there are also some significant benefits that the youths have gained by losing some negative aspects of the traditional circumcision. Some Tigania youths have also improved their self awareness through modern education and instructions during the alternative rites of passage. It was also noted that some youths started to engage in negative aggressive behavior such as sexual immorality and disrespectful character after undergoing circumcision. The study recommends for the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Gender, Culture the Art and Heritage to establish a blended approach of circumcision that borrows the positive elements of traditional circumcision and combines with the positive modern circumcision practices to enhance the morality of youths. This contributes to Sustainable Development Goal on decent work and Economic Growth and also the cultural historiography among the Tigania community.