Moving on in our exploration of the rites regarding circumcision: following Papa K\u00e9dine last week, his grandson Jean brings us details on the ceremony and the actual operation as they used to be conducted.<\/p>\n
\n
Circumcision is a rite of passage from childhood to manhood, and physical mutilations may sometimes be combined with a change of name. Thus initiation implies a change within the individual, within their identity. As Jean K\u00e9dine mentions, \u201ca non-circumcised, socially speaking, was considered as a woman\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n
Consisting in the removal of the foreskin, male circumcision stands as the most-well known and accepted kind of sexual mutilation as it is considered by many as totally harmless, unlike female circumcision.<\/p>\n
\n
Presumably originating from Egypt where it accounted for an ordeal of courage for teenagers, circumcision is a very ancient practice. In other traditions, such as in Judaism, it is the sign of an alliance with God. Nowadays, and in a more secular perspective, male circumcision is mainly related to questions of hygiene, and is performed almost consistently in some countries. USA, for example.<\/p>\n
\n
\n