Circumcision in Various Cultures

Boys are born with a hood of skin, called the foreskin, covering the head (glans) of the penis. In circumcision, the foreskin is removed, exposing the end of the penis. Those who choose circumcision often do so based on religious beliefs, concerns about hygiene, or cultural or social reasons.

Circumcision customs vary widely across the globe. Here are some examples:

Polynesia

In Tikopia, a tiny island in Western Polynesia, it is a source of shame not to be circumcised. It is said that women will not look at a man with a foreskin, because he is "not a real man." Boys on the brink of puberty are superincised, whereby a single cut is made from front to back on the top of the foreskin.

The Tikopian boy is treated sympathetically through his ordeal and given every encouragement to endure it stoically. He is cradled in the arms of one of his uncles, while another does the cutting and the whole family crowds around. Special songs (laments) are sung, sympathizing with the boy's pain. When they have already gone through the maturity rite as "men," boys who have cut penises will not let uncut boys play with them.

Melanesia

For most of Solomon Islands, men are intact. At one stage, circumcision showed signs of becoming fashionable among adolescent boys in the Solomons "because the Araikwao (white man) does it."

A variety of methods are used in those regions where it is done. One is called in Pijin, fo-kona ("four corner") where four fore-to-aft cuts are made, on top, bottom and sides. But perhaps the most bizarre method is that practiced in parts of the Western Solomons. A cut is made across the top of the foreskin at the back, and the glans is threaded up through it. As the penis grows, it becomes impossible to unthread it. The foreskin then forms a little wrinkled bunch under the glans, about the size of a pea. This is, of course, thought to improve heterosexual intercourse.

FREE Report on the Most Effective Penis Enlargement Methods! >>

Australia

Some Australian aboriginal tribes subincise (slit underneath), not just the foreskin, but most of the length of the penis, opening up the urethra. The reason given for the operation is to draw blood for ritual uses.

Japan

Circumcision is rare in Japan - only about three percent. Although in the town of Komaki, about 250 miles south of Tokyo, the Japanese celebrate Hounen Matsuri "Penis Day" each year on March 15. The mile-long procession echoes with the sounds of bamboo flutes and the chanting of men carrying a large wooden phallus, erect but obviously intact. It is offered at the shrine as a symbolic prayer for hounen, a fruitful year of abundant harvests and growth for all living things.

the Philippines

In the Philippines, it has strong elements of a "rite of passage" to manhood. Peer-pressure, parental pressure, medical pressure and the stigma against being sup󴦬t;/i> (intact) make childhood circumcision almost - but not quite - inevitable.

A few decades ago, genital incision of Filipino boys (pagtutuli) was purely a traditional custom. An manunuli would perform it on local boys. Their foreskins were drawn forward, the skins 'chopped' with a quick blow of a knife and the boys were told to run into the cold river.

More recently pagtutuli is becoming medicalized (and commercialized).

Penis Stretching Devices: a complete report

view archive... >>

More Penis Enlargement articles can be found at PenileFitness.com

FREE Report on the Most Effective Penis Enlargement Methods! >>

Get indepth, independent reviews on the best penis enlargement products! Get comprehensive reviews on Prosolution Pills the #1 rated penis pill available. SizeGenetics Device every guy's best option for penis enlargement. Penis Health a great quality exercise program. Proenhance penis patches now penis enlargement can be convient and discreet. SEE OUR REVIEWS BEFORE YOU BUY!

FREE Men's Wellness Newsletter, Articles & Tips!

Get great articles like this one directly to your email every week, along with great tips on sex, penis enhancement, health, fitness and more!
Enter your email address here and click submit >

If you wish to unsubscribe from our newslwetter please click here

| penis enhancement | sex & dating | fitness & health |

Copyright 1998-2005 MaleInternational.com, All Rights Reserved.
Any Reproduction In Whole Or In Part Is Strictly Prohibited.
Protected By US Copyright Law and International Treaties.

Men's Wellness News | Men's Wellness Newsletter |
| Penile Fitness | Male Sexual Fitness | Men's Forte |

	Your source for penis enlargement and penis health information