Becoming a Man, Maasai Style

When going on safari it is essential to secure a guide with connections, beyond a glossary of regional wildlife. Sandor Carter is such a guide. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of the cultures, heritage and practices that he has gained from relationships he's maintained with people in remote areas throughout the world. Sandor was recently invited by the Maasai to attend a circumcision ceremony, an honor as the event is not open to outsiders.

Becoming a Man, Maasai Style

Maasai men

I've just received an invitation to an event I've been hoping to attend for years.
 
It's called eunoto. It’s a circumcision ceremony, and for many Maasai men, it's the most important day of their lives.
 
It happens every 8 to 12 years. The intention is to initiate a new generation of Maasai men as warriors.
 
They prepare for this for much of their young lives. It takes place in a specially constructed village. At the appointed moment, each man comes out of his hut with two seconds, who stand at his shoulders to support him.
 
The candidate for circumcision then sits bolt upright with his legs out in front of him while a man from the Ndorobo tribe cuts through the top of his foreskin.  
 
The idea is that the young man is stoic. He's not allowed to register any expression or emotion. The elders watch to make sure there's not a flicker, or a blink of the eye.    
 
Historically, there would be some shame attached to you if you showed pain.
 
I've never actually seen it, though I've always wanted to. It's not a tourist event. This year, I've finally got my chance to go. As a spectator.

A PASSION FOR AFRICA:  About Sandor Carter

Sandor's first career was seven years with the British Army. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst he went on to see active service as a troop leader in the Middle East during the First Gulf Conflict of 1990/91. In 1993 he was employed by Elephant Back Safaris and it was there that he learned the ropes of the safari business, as a camp manager, guide and elephant mahout. This is also where he met Passage to Africa founding partner Michael Lorentz. After seven years in Bots
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