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A Bukusu youth stands covered in mud in preparation for a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A Bukusu youth stands covered in mud in preparation for a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. Circumcision rituals, which take place in August, are celebrated amongst some Kenyan tribes as an annual rite of passage into adulthood. The Bukusu group, a sub-tribe of the Luhya tribe which is one of the largest in Kenya, is one community to continue the tradition. The day before the ceremony, the boy's uncle slaughters a cow and dresses him in a chunk of the meat as a personal gift and as permission for him to proceed with the circumcision. The boys, aged 16 and under, bathe in the river to numb their bodies before the ritual, which they must undergo without flinching. Similar circumcision rituals and rites of passage are celebrated in many parts of Africa. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




Bukusu boys dance in preparation for a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

Bukusu boys dance in preparation for a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




A Bukusu youth waits outside his uncle's home for a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A Bukusu youth waits outside his uncle's home for a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




A Bukusu youth is addressed by an uncle as they take part in rituals related to circumcision ceremonies in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A Bukusu youth is addressed by an uncle as they take part in rituals related to circumcision ceremonies in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




Bukusu villagers observe a ritual which is part of circumcision ceremonies taking place in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

Bukusu villagers observe a ritual which is part of circumcision ceremonies taking place in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




Bukusu villagers escort a youth, who is wearing a piece of beef, from his uncle's home as part of a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

Bukusu villagers escort a youth, who is wearing a piece of beef, from his uncle's home as part of a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




Bukusu villagers escort youths as part of a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

Bukusu villagers escort youths as part of a circumcision ritual in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




People crowd around a Bukusu youth who just underwent circumcision outside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

People crowd around a Bukusu youth who just underwent circumcision outside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




People crowd around a Bukusu youth who just underwent circumcision outside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

People crowd around a Bukusu youth who just underwent circumcision outside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




A Bukusu youth who just underwent circumcision is assisted by his father outside their home in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A Bukusu youth who just underwent circumcision is assisted by his father outside their home in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 9, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




A traditional Bukusu circumciser checks on the condition of a youth who just underwent circumcision inside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A traditional Bukusu circumciser checks on the condition of a youth who just underwent circumcision inside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




A boy who underwent circumcision rests inside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A boy who underwent circumcision rests inside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




Bukusu boys crowd outside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

Bukusu boys crowd outside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)




A Bukusu family sits next to their son who just underwent circumcision inside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)

A Bukusu family sits next to their son who just underwent circumcision inside a house in Kenya's western region of Bungoma August 8, 2014. (Photo by Noor Khamis/Reuters)
19 Sep 2014 09:27:00