The Nandi Circumcision Ritual

by Kevin Kurgat
(Nairobi, Kenya)

These pictures are from the Nandi tribe of Kenya. This is the Nandi circumcision tradition that only takes place during December. It is one of the surviving cultures of all time, since a very long time I am told.

Comments for The Nandi Circumcision Ritual

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
star
Oyoo we chicho,,
by: Arap samoei

Ngikilen tumdonyo manai lem nai keiyo,, ngaiborjii bororiet

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Ptyo we kotnyo ilelitu we chicho!iborji ingony tumdo nyo!
by: matiriot eng nandi

ilelitu ako yam k*t # wewe

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
culture preservation
by: kibet

Indeed we must preserve our precious culture.If we abandon it how then shall we make real men in the community.Or shall we rely on the childish faction that is kipkanisa??

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
lets open our minds and see the future
by: Anonymous

so far we nandi is losing our culture due lack of recording, we should open avenues for recording it.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Tereno village nandis
by: Anonymous:Vincent arap korir kiposho

we can share our vews but we can't share our safering when we expose our culture men,be much careful and always try 2 remain red-eyed

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Warning 2 careless nandis who unfold our beloved precious culture
by: Anonymous:VINCENT ARAP KORIR KIPOSHO

Wee murenju oripkei moexposenji lemek tumtonyo asimakaron orirtaenej, hoo!akoi ole...kou chep.....

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
ongerib tumdonyo manailem bichu chok bo nandi
by: Kipchirchir Arap Rotich

our culture remain our culture untill the end of the world stupid 4 those who hate our culture(nai keiyo)

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
sptonok
by: arap musee eng septonok

tumto ko kiit nebo kamanut mising engekonyit amu mi biik olin bo reserve che takotiekee culture.... I wittnessed this when i was invited to attend 1 after many years so take precaution, nga kikoyait emeet kityo

Rating
starstarstarstar
Nandi culture
by: Kirwa malakwen

It s good 4 our children to learn the following; The word of God.
Education, Culture.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
tumdo nyo manai ng'eta
by: Anonymous

even the westernaz have their secrets they wont let others know....


Rating
starstarstarstarstar
my culture
by: Anonymous

its a shock to come across such photos publicly,murenchu ngokilin tumdo nyo manai lem ak kapchimi, ingolelit nokoyaei chu

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
tumdo tradition
by: a Nandi from eldoret

I went through this ritual when I was 15 years old..I am an educated man with an engineering degree and an MBA. I an engineer by profession and I tell ignorant and very shallow minded people that this is a ritual that is over 1000 years old..the process and endurance is what has allowed me to face every challenge in life..of course as a Christian I thank God..n this ritual for making me the man I am today..long live the Tumdo tradition.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
tumdo tradition
by: a Nandi from eldoret

I went through this ritual when I was 15 years old..I am an educated man with an engineering degree and an MBA. I an engineer by profession and I tell ignorant and very shallow minded people that this is a ritual that is over 1000 years old..the process and endurance is what has allowed me to face every challenge in life..of course as a Christian I thank God..n this ritual for making me the man I am today..long live the Tumdo tradition.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
nandi keel
by: arap limo

that amounts to crime...how could you?? there are so many other things you could post that could assist in the improvement of the economy of our great nation..then the least you do is post photos of our tarusiek..? even the Britts do respect us..who could you be not to fear? myself i more than fear...then after doing this, you saw urself very modern and hippy? let me tell you..this makes you look very ignorant and oblivious of what belonging really pertains to..personally i not only disrespect individuals like you...i dont talk to them for fear of getting mentally lost...i just had my phD and i have never thought myself to good to defy kapsooi... who then are you? may you languish..TUMDO NYO NEBO KOIKENY AK KOIKENY...MANAI LEM AK NYANJA

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Rick Rayne
by: Anonymous

Rick Rayne if u a bigot or u used to do dat wit ua father n fore fathers their then dont blame others.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Stupid Traditions
by: Rick Rayne

Well...i think the above comnents on this idiotic culture is quite stone aged...these Bigots want to make us believe there is anything sacred in this pervasive rite you call tumdo or whatfuckingever you brand...if u should know these dark rites are accompanied by alleged sodomy that these dudes keep as secrets...they are stupid old fashioned and pervasive... i am a nandi and am
ashamed to b part if these unimaginable silly vulture

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Stupid Traditions
by: Rick Rayne

Well...i think the above comnents on this idiotic culture is quite stone aged...these Bigots want to make us believe there is anything sacred in this pervasive rite you call tumdo or whatfuckingever you brand...if u should know these dark rites are accompanied by alleged sodomy that these dudes keep as secrets...they are stupid old fashioned and pervasive... i am a nandi and am
ashamed to b part if these unimaginable silly vulture

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Taboo
by: Anonymous

Its a taboo for other communities to know it just respect it.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
nandi
by: Anonymous

tuwe criaz kiaci.not something to internalize

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
keep it secret!!
by: Anonymous

Onkeriib tumdonyoo kou keny.yo mamalaat kot ko mamalaat.benyebich lemechu biikyook.abunuu kapchekendi kimaren matil beek eng aldai

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Nandi Circumcision: Poorly Kept Secret
by: Anonymous

Are guys living in the Stone Age? Ati Tumdo manai lem? The Nandi Circumcision Rites (both male and female)have been in the PUBLIC DOMAIN for 110 years. Please refer to the 1904 book by Anthropologist A.C. Hollis: The Nandi, their Language and Folklore. You may download it for free by clicking this link
http://archive.org/stream/cu31924029888777/cu31924029888777_djvu.txt

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Let's Change
by: Kiprono Al B

Hey U Idiot Y Post Somethink Like Tis ,hata Ka Nikuexpose 2mdo Ye2 C Ivo Bana Mpaka Kwa Kwa Internet Thiz Iz Kind Ov A Joke 2rekebishe Hapo .Tumdo Nyo Makiteschi Kesesnatet Che Uchu Agoi Ilelit

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Nandi culture
by: Mutai

I humbly request my fellow nandiz 2 stop posting such pictures.kitakelen tumdo nyo manai chi lakini itei konai amu ngot ke posteni pictures kotamne kemwa.ngobenyech chi kolelit.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Remove this pictures
by: Benedict Kiptoo

......tumdo nyo mania lem.......

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Respect
by: Anonymous

plz nandiz let's prsav our culture.kwong'ut kenyor pichainik cheu cho.ngobenyech chi kolelit

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
MATIRENIK
by: NANDI GAA

MATIRENIK, ongerip tumdo nyoo sitekebe koigeny.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Christian faith and african Traditions
by: Nicholas

His Eminence MAKARIOS, Archbishop of Nairobi and Metropolitan of the Greek-Orthodox Church of Kenia, visited the Nandi-Region every year to attend and participate at the Circimcision Ritual of the young people of the Nandi Tribe as the orthodox Church shows absolute respect to the culture of their faithful in Africa. (His newly elected Auxiliary Bishop Neophyt is a Nandi)

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
manai lem
by: Anonymous

toa hii picha weeeeeee…nkt

Rating
starstarstar
Be extra careful
by: Simao

Nandi is a unique tribe with unique culture and passage of right. I demand the admin to careful mind any information published on public tethering our tribe's rituals. . . Tum manai lem, nai nandi ak keiyo.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Nandi culture
by: Anonymous

please, dont expos nandi culture, be totally careful.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
zii
by: kimutai

l love nandi but not the little imbeciles exposing us here............

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
makipeny
by: kipsang arap Koec

take time on other things.Our culture should be protected.Ngopenya chi kolelit.....

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Love it
by: kiptanui Ruttoh

The culture it is iam proud of being a Nandi

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
swali
by: Anonymous

Amune si komi chepyoso ak tarushek eng pichait?

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
unblievable
by: Anonymous

nandi circumcision like what my fellow mates had said,it should not be exposed as athers think.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
may curse be upon you
by: Kiprotich Arap koskei

I can't believe that someone in his right sense decided to post these pictures to the world to see!!! Nandi circumcision is sacred and shouldn't be mention to the non-Nandi or nandis who decided not to undergo this traditional right of passage.. I believe that the gods will punish whoever irresponsible for "unmasking" our culture. Ilelitu kou chepkelelok

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
tumdonyo
by: Anonymous

tumdo ne manae lemek

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Tumdo nebo nandi
by: Kipkoech arap Bor

What are you peopke saying? kongete cheptilet akoi suiyet komi ra internet. Kiitakelen manai lem. Kikonai ngo'ny.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
circucision
by: arap kogo

ilike it that is why we were born as nandiek,let's
respect our culture handed down by our ancestors
(kapkuku).westernization has brought devastating
effects on our cherished culture.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
circucision
by: arap kogo

ilike it that is why we were born as nandiek,let's
respect our culture handed down by our ancestors
(kapkuku).westernization has brought devastating
effects on our cherished culture.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
let it be what it is
by:

Ngo katam koek katam...inye ne kikisichi komeatite lakwa nebo chi eng or nemaititaat. mi matirenik si komi lakok.

culture is what makes us. it is our bride, our legacy what then will those who sell it will say?
when people get rich they run away from home but then they realize their kids have a rite to pass and they mix horny,milk and child's puke in the Name of circumcision in Nairobi.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Nandi Circumcision Ritual.
by: Ndung'u

I see nothing wrong with sharing our cultures with the world. How else can they respect us? How else can tey know and believe when we tell them what we undergo during our circumsicion/intiation ritual?

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Tumto nyo nai nandi ak keiyo
by: Arap Misoi

Tumdo nyo manai lem..lets keep on on our tradition..even my sons will pass thru' this ritual ata kama nini itafanyika..

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
no internet photos
by: Anonymous

What is happening to the believe that were once given to us by our. Old men. Safe gaurd our heritage..........

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
TUMWEKAB BIICH
by: Chemumbe

The Nandi refered "TUMTO" as "unknown".. No one knows exactly who the owner is.. Thats is spiritualy belonging to "SACRED" as the words subscribed remained fully secret under Nandi cultural circumcision.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Not Allowed
by: Arap bere

This Tumndo should not be displayed on the web because it is our secret tumdo.
matopenyench amu ngopenyet negapennyet kolelit kou.........!!

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
culture takers
by: Anonymous

we should not expose our culture this way 'ngopenyech chi kolelit........' koparch lemek tumdo,.. all photos n information to be removed and no more post..,.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
tumdo
by: kiprotich kemboi

yain

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
tumdo nyo manai lem
by: emmanuel chepsiror

lets keep our culture save kanyit kotoror kote tany ak muren tumdo nyo manai lem nai nandi ak keiyo

Rating
starstarstarstar
this is totaly a sacret
by: cheptoum tororei

ngo penyech che kolelit.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
manai lem
by: kibet Too

our culture is private and confidential plz not public...let them respect this.no more posts plz keep it secretive..how comes our young boys learn of this..be sensitive enough since we r important than to be exposed...

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
nandi circumcision
by: arap Tendenei

Tumto nyo maanai lem..

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Nandi circumcision
by: Kipyegon Arap Korir

The nandi people circumcision is only meant for those who undergo it it will remain unknown to those who did not undergo it and never should they be let to know whatsoever. the photos and any other information relating to it should be removed from the internet. the culture is only within the nandi territory alone.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
The Nandi Circumcision Ritual
by: Anonymous

Keeping our Cultures does not mean we should not let others know whom we are, what we believe in, or what we do different from them! It’s a thousand traditional behaviors, ceremonies and rituals that were inherited from those who came before us, behaviors and beliefs that we model today and then pass on as our legacy for those who come after us. It’s behaviors and attitudes that are core to who we are: respecting differences, customs and believes and the uniqueness of whom we really are! Let the world know that we re not like them. How else can we do that? Only by showing them; in this time of digital era, through photos! Let's post them so that when we tell them circumcision to us has a deeper meaning than just removing the foreskin, they will see it to understand the pains that we undergo! the Westerners are circumcised at birth. Circumcision has no meaning to us! They remain boys for life. For us, we shed off boyhood after circumcision. SHOW THEM, in pictures!!!! They will understand why you get mad when they call you a BOY!

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
NO JOKES
by: kabisaga gaa

keep culture secret plz.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
our way our rout
by: Arap kosgei

When a man becomes a man, each day passing makes him better. a boy is a man to be...pain, blood and acceptance made me. a modern family man who knows God and respects culture....i love that i was born a Nandi.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
The Nandi Circumcision Ritual
by: Anonymous

There is nothing wrong with posting pictures of our cultures that we are proud of! We are we because of what our cultures are. It is our pride! Hiding our cultures makes them be deemed as barbaric! It is our behaviours and beliefs characteristic to us ONLY!

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Watch Out!!!!!
by: Abel Kiptarus Limo

It's indeed an absurd and weird act to reveal anything I repeat anything including even pictures of Nandi circumcision,anyone doing that is an outcast.This is a Nandi custom and not a public affair.Talk of FGM

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Unfortunate
by: Kirwa

This is a cultural aspect of the Nandi people which guarded by edifice of traditional structures and for it to do rounds in the Internet without the permission of the said people is not just wrong, it is sacrilege. May the grace of the nine-feeted Asis protect his people, from the gentle plains of Uasin Gishu to the ragged terrains of Nandi Hills.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Ritual rite
by: Anonymous

"May the wrath of the Nandi people fall on you outcast" who unfolded our cultural activity to the public.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Ritual rite
by: Anonymous

"May the wrath of the Nandi people fall on you outcast" who unfolded our cultural activity to the public.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
genital mutilation
by: Anonymous

The idea of female circumcision comes to fore. It should be encouraged as a way of retaining our rich culture. I believe it was done for a purpose as i will highlight in my book. Let us discourage those who call it genital mutilation, it is female circumcision. If we are to call mutilation let us with one accord in the same measure also call male genital mutilation what we otherwise call male circumcision. nice photo

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Some things should not be photographed
by: Anonymous

As a westerner and professional photographer I find the sharing of these photographs to be offensive. These photographs depict a sacred ritual which should not be shared or documented via the internet or through a photograph. I suggest these photographs are removed from your website.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Female Circumcision is OK?
by: Anonymous

Let me guess. Male circumcision is fine and female circumcision isn't. Neither are OK in my book.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
try to evade stupidity
by: Cheruiyot arap Kosgei, Cherang'any

It is stupid to unveil the contents of one's hidden cultural secrets. If at all one did not underwent the ritual of the initiation he/she should leave it to the owners. I am severely hurt by your move to openly spread our culture's secrets to the entire world. "Ngobenyaak chii kolelit" didn't the elders of old say this? May the wrath of the Nandi people fall on you outcast.

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
its circumcision time
by: Anonymous

Circumcision is now a practice of the nation. even Luo's have taken it up in full swing. let all men get it's benefits.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Kenya Picture Gallery.