Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 20, 1909.djvu/354



There are two modes of circumcision pursued—that in vogue around San Salvador, and that followed by the people in and around Wathen (Ngombe Lutete). Probably there are others in other districts. I will describe the San Salvador system first.

A large house, called "vela," is built in the centre of the group of towns from which the boys are to come upon whom the rite is to be performed. It is built by the males of the district on some exposed hill not far from water. When all is ready, the lads are received by the nganga, who is either "ngang' eseka," or "ngang' a lubwiku." If the former, the house is called "eseka," and, if the latter, it is called "lubwiku." Both establishments may be running in the same neighbourhood at the same time, and the number of lads who go to either place depends on the fame and popularity of the nganga practising there. The time for performing the rite is the cold season,—May to October. The boys are supplied with food by their mothers and relatives, and the nganga and his assistants are maintained out of the food taken to the boys, the nganga and his