Traditional circumcision and Nursing in South Africa
3rd South African Nurses Conference, Birchwood Hotel
MJ Ntsaba RN, RM, RNE, RNA, RCHN, BA Cur (UNISA);
M. Tech: Nursing (DUT); PhD (UKZN)
HOD: WSU Department of Nursing
24 FEBRUARY 2016
, The following excerpt was mentioned by one of the
hospitalized initiate.
"Men will tell me that they did not come to hospital
for admission. They say we are disappointing them
yet they have failed in their intervention strategies
in the bush. "
,Brief History of Circumcision
, Visser (2012) defines male circumcision as the removal of the foreskin of the male penis.
Male circumcision is a very old practice, traditionally done as a mark of cultural identity or
for religious importance. The origin of the ritual is not clear but it seems that it was
performed for religious or ritual reasons. Adler (1984) estimates that more than three
hundred millions population of the world practise the circumcision custom and the
Muslims alone number about 250 millions. Circumcision in ancient people was practiced
as a punitive measure, a puberty or premarital rite, as an absolution against the feared
toxic influence of vaginal blood (that is blood of the hymen), and as a mark of slavery
(Milos & Macris, 1992). The Queensland Law Reform Commission (The QLRC) (1993)
states that Egyptians practised circumcision as early as 3600 BC. The arrival of Abraham
was 1600 years later when he was circumcised at the age of 80 years. Another view is
that Abraham was 90 years when he circumcised himself and his son Ishmael was
circumcised at the age of 13 years. Although, the Egyptians seemed to have started the
custom, Adler (1984) believes that the custom could have started from the Hebrews, and
they had to undergo it as a sign of covenant between them and God. Funani (1990) also
states that the origin of circumcision could have been from the Hebrews and the
Ethiopians, which eventually spread it to the Egyptians. The QLRC (1993) based its
argument of circumcision and its origin from the bible. In Genesis 17 of the Old
Testament, God is said to have directed Abraham to circumcise himself, his son and all
other males in his house. He said "This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me
and you and thy seed after thee; every child among you shall be circumcised". This
meant that all male children in Abraham's house were circumcised presumably by the
instructions of God.
3rd South African Nurses Conference, Birchwood Hotel
MJ Ntsaba RN, RM, RNE, RNA, RCHN, BA Cur (UNISA);
M. Tech: Nursing (DUT); PhD (UKZN)
HOD: WSU Department of Nursing
24 FEBRUARY 2016
, The following excerpt was mentioned by one of the
hospitalized initiate.
"Men will tell me that they did not come to hospital
for admission. They say we are disappointing them
yet they have failed in their intervention strategies
in the bush. "
,Brief History of Circumcision
, Visser (2012) defines male circumcision as the removal of the foreskin of the male penis.
Male circumcision is a very old practice, traditionally done as a mark of cultural identity or
for religious importance. The origin of the ritual is not clear but it seems that it was
performed for religious or ritual reasons. Adler (1984) estimates that more than three
hundred millions population of the world practise the circumcision custom and the
Muslims alone number about 250 millions. Circumcision in ancient people was practiced
as a punitive measure, a puberty or premarital rite, as an absolution against the feared
toxic influence of vaginal blood (that is blood of the hymen), and as a mark of slavery
(Milos & Macris, 1992). The Queensland Law Reform Commission (The QLRC) (1993)
states that Egyptians practised circumcision as early as 3600 BC. The arrival of Abraham
was 1600 years later when he was circumcised at the age of 80 years. Another view is
that Abraham was 90 years when he circumcised himself and his son Ishmael was
circumcised at the age of 13 years. Although, the Egyptians seemed to have started the
custom, Adler (1984) believes that the custom could have started from the Hebrews, and
they had to undergo it as a sign of covenant between them and God. Funani (1990) also
states that the origin of circumcision could have been from the Hebrews and the
Ethiopians, which eventually spread it to the Egyptians. The QLRC (1993) based its
argument of circumcision and its origin from the bible. In Genesis 17 of the Old
Testament, God is said to have directed Abraham to circumcise himself, his son and all
other males in his house. He said "This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me
and you and thy seed after thee; every child among you shall be circumcised". This
meant that all male children in Abraham's house were circumcised presumably by the
instructions of God.
