The Bush

On Tuesday night, Asanda and Simpiwe, two guys in their twenties who help with ArtWorks, came to the hostel to talk about The Bush. When a Xhosa male is 18-21, he'll go to the Bush with many other young men for three weeks to a month. He'll wear only a blanket while he's there and he'll paint himself with white clay. He'll slaughter a goat and he'll be circumcised. After the process is finished, they paint themselves with red clay and wear that with brand new, more adult clothes and we see these men out and about. They wear the red clay for a few months. Asanda and Simpiwe explained the whole process and took all of our questions. It was fascinating to hear how important this event is to them and that they can recognize anyone as a circumcised male just by his speech and eye contact. A man who hasn't been to The Bush will be forever mocked and humiliated. This also causes tension between the Xhosa, the Zulus and the Sotas.

This is Asanda at The Bush