 | |  | | : Community projects | 
 | | | Guludo boys return home after a month in the bush | |
| | | | Early-rising visitors were fortunate enough to enjoy the faraway sounds of celebratory drumming as the sun rose over Guludo every December morning. The
annual Koombe ceremony, lasting thirty days and involving approximately 40
boys aged 5-11 years, recently drew to a close. Traditionally known as a
circumcision ceremony, the locals no longer circumcise the boys as part of
the ceremony and instead refer to the event as an 'entrance into manhood'.
For one month the boys stay out in the bush, each one accompanied by a
chaperone - a father, uncle, neighbour or friend who remains by his side and
helps him to procure food, drink and shelter.
The boys dance, sing and drum, catch their own fish and seek out their own
provisions. In colonial times the ceremony lasted 3 months because,
according to local resident Kombo Abibo, "When the Portuguese were here
there were many coconuts, cashew trees and mangos. Food was not a problem
and the boys would stay out for 3 months. Now they can only go for 1 month
because there isn't enough food to stay for longer."
The boys spent 2 days returning home to the village, who in turn celebrated
their long-awaited return. Women dressed as men, sporting rifles and knives
to greet these new 'men'. Shortly afterwards the local Riga ceremony began,
a 3-day party for 15-17 year old girls. The girls dance within their homes,
shedding their clothing as a symbol of their entrance into womanhood. They
eat goat, rice and special cakes and are rewarded with new clothing
afterwards. Once the girls have participated in Riga they are ready for
marriage.and the local men know where to find them.
: more stories
 Guludo boys return home after a month in the bush > 12/2005
Guludo School Scholarships Awarded > 22/01/2007
Problem Elephants around Guludo > 14/09/2003
THIRD SECTOR: Frontline - Serf > 2/11/2005
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