Cultural Aspects and Social Integration: A Study of Tachoni Initiation Ritual Ideas

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Periodical article

Title:	Cultural Aspects and Social Integration: A Study of Tachoni Initiation Ritual Ideas
Author:	Kakai, Pius Wanyonyi
Year:	1995
Periodical:	Transafrican Journal of History (ISSN 0251-0391)
Volume:	24
Pages:	216-223
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Kenya East Africa
Subjects:	Luyia generations circumcision Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Anthropology, Folklore, Culture social integration Cultural values age groups Tachoni (African people)
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/24328666
Abstract:	'Okhulichana' is a complex system of initiating youth among the Abatachoni, a subgroup of the Luhya of Bungoma District, Western Province, Kenya, into the values of their community. This article is confined to a discussion of Abatachoni concepts and practices of circumcision ('okhusebwa') and age-sets ('ebisebo'). It argues that the meaning and importance attached to these practices are dynamic and adaptable to changes in circumstances. New values are continually incorporated, while old values may be dropped. For example, circumcision acquired a new value during the colonial period, expressed in the concept of 'olupao' (timber). This referred to a special form of circumcision, conducted in a hospital on a wooden table. Western education also introduced a new value into the age-grade system, that of using numbers or dates instead of age-grade names. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum.