Embalu (circumcision) is a sacred rite of passage practices among sons of Masaaba; Mukisu and Mubukusu. Practiced every even year, male sons coming of age ultimately get their foreskins cut off by balusanya (spiritually-endorsed circumcisers).
Among the multiple
rituals associated with this ritual include the singing of Sioyaye. This
ancient chant fortifies the Omusinde (the candidate), preparing him to complete
the transition into a formidable man in society.
No one know for
sure, when it was first sung, but it has stayed engraved in our culture and
DNA. Some hold that it began with Omurwa Omubichu who circumcised Mango son of Bwayo
Omukhurarwa the serpent slayer back in 1800s.
It is said
sioyaye mimics the words of Mango’s mother who broke down upon realizing her
son will face the brutal knife. But, history rememberers point out that embalu
pre-dates Mango. He only re-ignited the ritual after calamities like diseases and inter-tribal wars had made Bukusu
“forget” the practice
Sioyaye chant
is sung as Omusinde makes way from the salt-lick (Esitabicha/Esilongo) to his
father’s home for impending circumcision khutiang’i
However,
sioyaye is sung four times;
- · Sioyaye
siekhuchukhila
- ·
Sioyaye
siebhukhocha
- ·
Sioyaye
sielikhoni
- ·
Sioyaye
siekhwama esitabhicha
Can you
remember the words in Sioyaye?
1.
Hee-hee-hee
Heee
Hee-hee-hee
Hee
Hee-hee-hee
Hee
2. Wangwe maalule
Haa-haaa
Omusindewe
Haa-haa
Omusindewe
Haa-haa hooh!
3. Embalu Yefwe
ekhalakhale
Hoooh
Omusindewe
Hoooh-hoooh
4. Mango we Mwiala wakhuwa embalu
Haa-haaa
Wakhuwa embalu
Haa-haaa
Wakhuwa embalu
Haaaha-hoooh!
5. Omusinde oteremaka acha
Ebunyolo
Haa-haa
Acha
Ebunyolo
Haaa-hoooh!
6. Embalu elumabubi eli ematabula
Haaa-haa
Eli ematabula
Haaaaa-hoooh!
7. Kumwoyo nekalimboro wibele
Hoooooh
Omusindewe
Hoooooh
Omusindewe
Hooooh!
(The Leopard that scratches hard lies waiting to pounce on
you...Our age-old circumcision tradition remains with you...It was handed down to
us by Mango of Mwiala...A coward seeks refuge in Luo land...When the knife come
to an end, it hurts most....If you are unprepared better give up now)
Kimilembe khu basanii
bayakha
Omukikwameti
III No 8
Sya Sifuna Watenya
