The 10 most shocking male initiation rituals (With Pics)

2. Adult Circumcision

via brentstirton.com

Circumcision is the practice of trimming the foreskin of the penis. It is traditionally done on a newborn because the pace of convalescence is so fast. But amongst the Xhosa people of South Africa, circumcision is performed on grown boys to mark their entry into adulthood. The abakwetha, male initiate, is shaved then celebrated with a feast. Afterwards, he’s taken to a hut erected by his family in the mountains. Without anesthetic, a surgeon operates on the boy. He must then stay in the hut without food or water until he is fully recovered. The risk of infection and STDs is high.