View source for Imbalu

{{Short description|Ceremony practiced by the Bamasaba people of Uganda}}
[[File:Mutoto3.jpg|alt=Mutoto Circumcision Site|thumb|Mutoto Circumcision Site]]
'''Imbalu''' is a public [[circumcision]] ceremony practiced by the [[Bamasaba]] people of [[Uganda]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thousands throng Mutoto cultural ground for Imbalu launch|url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Thousands-throng-Mutoto-cultural-ground-Imbalu-launch/688334-4707810-aitdvez/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816190935/https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Thousands-throng-Mutoto-cultural-ground-Imbalu-launch/688334-4707810-aitdvez/index.html|access-date=2019-11-30|website=Daily Monitor|archive-date=2018-08-16|language=en}}</ref> It takes place at the Mutoto cultural site (also called Mutoto cultural ground) near [[Mbale]] in eastern [[Uganda]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wambede|first1=Fred|last2=Kitunzi|first2=Yahudu|date=August 8, 2016|title=Uganda: Bamasaba Move to Build Giant Imbalu Centre|work=[[Daily Monitor]]|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201608080173.html|postscript=. Full text of article available [https://utb.go.ug/news-and-views/bamasaba-move-build-giant-imbalu-centre here].}}</ref> It is mostly active in the 8th month of every even year. The ground is believed to be the place where the first Mugishu (Mumasaba) was circumcised. This community affair is characterized by dance and food. The ceremony has been heavily promoted as a tourist attraction, and tens of thousands of people attend.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Uganda Turned a Public Circumcision Ritual into a Tourist Attraction|url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/zn84x4/how-uganda-turned-a-public-circumcision-ritual-into-a-tourist-attraction|access-date=2020-09-11|website=www.vice.com|date=September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mutizwa|first=Nyasha K.|date=June 13, 2016|title=Ugandan Imbalu circumcision ceremony attracts tourists|url=https://www.africanews.com/2019/06/13/ugandan-imbalu-circumcision-ceremony-attracts-tourists/|access-date=2020-09-11|website=[[Africanews]]}}</ref>  Imbalu marks the initiation of boys into manhood and  every year, hundreds of boys aged 16 and above qualify for the Imbalu.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-26 |title=WHO Guides the Bagisu Community on Carrying out a Cultural Norm while observing COVID-19 Guidelines |url=https://www.afro.who.int/news/who-guides-bagisu-community-carrying-out-cultural-norm-while-observing-covid-19-guidelines |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=WHO {{!}} Regional Office for Africa |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, about 6,000 boys were initiated into manhood during the cultural ceremony that happens every year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=From lockdown to inflation: Imbalu goes under the knife |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/from-lockdown-to-inflation-imbalu-goes-under-the-knife--3912424 |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}}</ref> This is because the ceremony had not happened ever since 2020 when Uganda was locked down due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=":0" />
The age old tradition  defines and unites the people in Bugisu sub-region including the [[Masaba people|Bamasaba]] people of Mbale, Manafwa, Bulambuli, Sironko and Bududa districts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-13 |title=Hundreds throng Mutoto cultural ground for Imbalu launch |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/hundreds-throng-mutoto-cultural-ground-for-imbalu-launch-3913388 |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Monitor |language=en}}</ref> This is because they  are believed to be descendants of Masaba.<ref name=":1" />
== See also ==
* [[Gisu people]]
* [[Circumcision in Africa]]
* [[Dominica Dipio]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.mak.ac.ug/documents/Makfiles/theses/Makwa_Dominic.pdf MUSICKING AND DANCING IMBALU CIRCUMCISION RITUALS (KHUSHINA IMBALU): PERFORMING GENDER AMONG THE BAGISU OF EASTERN UGANDA]
== Further reading ==
* {{Cite web|date=May 15, 2014|title=Thanks to Mutoto, imbalu still reigns|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1340726/thanks-mutoto-imbalu-reigns|access-date=2020-09-11|website=[[New Vision (newspaper)|New Vision]]}}
* {{Cite web|last=Kakembo|first=Titus|date=July 9, 2020|title=COVID-19 disrupts Imbalu festival|url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1522320/covid-19-disrupts-imbalu-festival|access-date=2020-09-11|website=[[New Vision (newspaper)|New Vision]]}}
{{Circumcision series}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Circumcision]]
[[Category:Events in Uganda]]
[[Category:Mbale District]]
[[Category:Tourist activities]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Uganda]]
[[Category:Festivals in Uganda]]