Lebollo la banna

rdf:langString Lebollo la banna

rdf:langString Lebollo la banna is a Sesotho term for male initiation. Lebollo is a cultural and traditional practice that transitions boys in the Basotho society to manhood. It is a rite of passage where dzwiya (transl. "boys") pass puberty and enter adulthood to become monna (transl. "men") by circumcision. This practice is commonly found among Basotho men in the Free State Province of South Africa as well as in Lesotho. The prevalence of traditional male circumcision among the Sotho people, who mostly reside in the Free State, is at 57.3%. Despite much criticism directed towards lebollo, there is an increase in the number of boys attending traditional initiation schools in post-apartheid South Africa. This is argued to be due to the resurgence of young men's respect for traditional authority as well as the government support of research reporting reduced risk of HIV infection when circumcised. Many government-based organizations provide clinical circumcision, but many Basotho still opt for circumcision at traditional initiation schools due to cultural beliefs.