Different cultures and societies across the world uphold their own practices and beliefs. It is assumed that such practices help to create social cohesion and unite a particular group of people who share the same norms and values. Male circumcision is one of the age-old beliefs still practiced in a variety of ways depending on the tradition of a given tribe. In Africa it is traditionally practiced in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Male circumcision, in Africa and elsewhere, is the removal by cutting of the foreskin of the penis. Different methods are used according to locally held beliefs and practices. In former times the cutting of the foreskin was performed using traditional processes involving a sharp blade, a cloth, water and traditional medicine.

In Africa, circumcision has traditionally symbolised the graduation of a male member of the tribe to manhood, in that he was then able to reproduce and fend for his family. The renowned Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o, in his book The River Between, used a mythological approach to indicate the cultural value of circumcision. He gave an example of a character named Waiyaki who, because he was not circumcised, could not marry the girl he wanted. In many countries boys are circumcised so that they will be considered complete human beings, whereas those who are not circumcised are seen as being unclean and therefore outcasts. A traditional healer, Sekuru Guma Phiri of Nyabira in Zimbabwe, believes that circumcision is a way of defining the distinct ethnic values of Africanism, and that it symbolises tolerance, recognition and acceptance in society.

To take Zimbabwe as a specific example, there are many tribes and ethnic groups, each having its own beliefs and values. The Shona and Ndebele groups form the majority of the population but, traditionally, they have rarely followed the practice of male circumcision. However, it has long been prevalent and evident amongst the Xhosa and Fengu of Ntabazinduna in Matabeleland, the Tonga of Binga, and the Venda and Shangaan of Chiredzi and Mberengwa. These tribes practiced male circumcision as part of the initiation rite marking the passage to manhood, although there are differences in the way it was practised and perceived. The Shangaan of Chiredzi perform male circumcision in the bush away from the women, who are not allowed in the camp.

However, the practice of circumcision is now far more widespread, even among the ethnic groups without a traditional background of so doing. 

Male circumcision in Zimbabwe targets men from the age of thirteen upwards, such that most sexually active men will have been circumcised. It has long been considered that this practice is important for helping to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, with HIV/AIDS now wreaking havoc among young and middle aged people, male circumcision in Zimbabwe is also seen as a vital prevention tool against HIV and AIDS. In 2009, the Zimbabwe government’s Minister of Health and Child Welfare launched the Male Circumcision (MC) policy, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Now, a number of hospitals across the country are embracing this programme, with male circumcision centres now in operation. In these centres health workers first provide counselling before performing the procedure.

Circumcision hardens and thickens penile skin, which is thought to offer a degree of protection against HIV. There is also the fact that, during intercourse, there is always a chance that the foreskin could tear, thus offering a direct route to the bloodstream for the virus. Medical officials believe that circumcision has the potential to reduce the transmission of the virus from men to women, and also vice versa. It improves hygiene in men and their partners and is also considered to reduce the high rate of cancer of the penis.

Whilst circumcision has become widely available through health centres, there is still resistance. Younger men are accepting the practice and are being circumcised, but older men are less willing. They fear the general pain and losing their libido. Older men also have an unfounded belief that their foreskins will be used for ritual purposes. There is also a social aspect, in that men do not want to be made to expose their penis in front of women health workers. In most African countries this would be considered taboo.

However, since the launch of the male circumcision policy in Zimbabwe many men have gone through the process. For the record, the National Aids Council (NAC), Population Services International (PSI), Zimbabwe National Family Council (ZNFPC), UNPF and WHO have made tremendous strides in implementing the policy. From a medical point of view it has been proved that circumcision works well for men who experience premature ejaculation, and circumcision enhances their performance in bed. In 2009 more than 2200 men were circumcised in pilot projects, and the number rose to 6500 in 2010 with the trend continuing to rise.

More men in Zimbabwe are now seeking to be circumcised as a preventative measure against HIV. However, there is a danger that too many men will come to think of circumcision as an alternative to taking precautions such as wearing condoms. Although there is strong evidence that circumcised men are less likely to become infected than are those who are uncircumcised, this is not a sure-fire method of prevention, and it would be disastrous if men gave up using condoms because they thought that they were no longer necessary as a result of their having been circumcised.

Information about male circumcision has been spread to schools, colleges, universities, businesses and industries through posters produced by various public health institutions with a view to emphasising the importance of this once taboo subject. Male circumcision in Zimbabwe is now gradually being accepted as a natural thing to have done, and the road towards the use of circumcision as a common practice is now seen as stretching well into the future.