A boy will prove himself to the community that he is ready to be initiated by exhibiting signs of a grown man, such as carrying a heavy spear, herding large herd of livestock, bringing cattle back home at dusk, traveling by himself at night to visit his friends, etc. A few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven full days. On the eighth day, he is circumcised. Before the operation, boys and girls must stand outside in the cold weather and receive a cold shower to cleanse themselves of past sins. As he moves towards the location of the operation, his friends, age mates and male members of the family shout encouragement along with nasty looks and sometimes threats.
Women are luckier and are spared of such comments.
The operation takes place in the early dawn shortly before sunrise. It is performed by a qualified man who administers no medications or numbing agents. After the operation is completed, the boy receives gifts of livestock, and gains a tremendous amount of respect for his bravery. The women's operation is performed slightly different than the men's. Due to respect for my culture and its gender boundaries, as a man, I am not permitted to discuss women's circumcision.