in the morning, the boys to be circumcised are seized
from behind, and a bandage is fastened over the eyes
of each; they are then led away from the presence
of the women and children to a distance of half a mile,
when they are laid on the ground, and covered with
a cloak, or skin, so as not to see what is passing
amongst the adults, who proceed with the ceremony.
Three of them now commence limping, and making a peculiar
groaning noise, until they arrive opposite one of
the boys, upon whom they seize. The individual
laid hold of, jumps up, and runs off at full speed,
as if he intended to escape; the three, before occupied
in limping and groaning, run with him to prevent this,
and after three or four races, all four run over the
place where the boys are covered up, and the boy, who
had been trying to escape, is caught, and laid down
near the other boys, and covered with dust. He
is now supposed to be in a state of enchantment, from
which he is aroused by being lifted up by the ears,
at the same time that loud noises are made into them.
All the men now, except the sick, form themselves
into a circle, and keep walking round in single file,
the first individual having a katto, or long stick
held down his back. After a few circles this
is given to another; a short rest is taken, and then
the whole party rise, except the sick, the inspired
men, or sorcerers, and those upon whom the operation
is to be performed, and proceed to a short distance,
the man with the katto down his back leading.
When assembled, they form into a line, and at word
of command commence the peculiar stamping and groaning,
beginning at the far end of the line, and gradually
advancing towards the other. During several rounds
of this noise, they advance at each, a little nearer
to the boys, who when they are very near, have their
eyes uncovered that they may see the men approaching.
The first man who held the katto, fastens it in the
ground, and all the others coming up, take hold of
it, and fall down into a heap. The boys are then
thrown upon the heap of men, and the operation is
performed by men who are supposed to be inspired, or
sorcerers. Immediately after the operation, the
boys are taken away from the presence of all females,
and kept upon a vegetable diet until recovered from
its effects. The head is covered with grease,
and red ochre, with a bandage passed round it, and
is ornamented with tufts of feathers. The Yudna,
or pubic covering, is worn by the circumcised for some
months after the operation.
The fourth stage (Wilyaru) is entered about the age of twenty, when the back, shoulders, arms and chest, are tattooed. He is called ngulte, at the time of the operation; yellambambettu, when the incisions have begun to discharge pus; tarkange, when the sores are just healed; mangkauitya, at the time the cuts begin to rise; and bartamu, when the scars are at their highest elevation. Each tribe has a distinctive mode of making their incisions. Some have scars running completely across the chest, from one axillar to the other, whilst others have merely dotted lines; some have circles and semicircles formed on the apex of the shoulder, others small dots only.