By Okechukwu Okugo | Founding Editor –

One of the Igbo people’s cultural practices is male circumcision. It dates back to the Stone Age. The Igbo live in the southern part of what is today known as Nigeria. In the past, they circumcised females alongside males. Today, all Igbo communities have stopped female circumcision and genital mutilation. As a matter of culture, they will circumcise the male on the 8th day after birth. The procedure removes the excess foreskin on the head of the male organ. One reason was to avoid an inability to retract the foreskin. This occurs when the excess skin is not removed. So, circumcision is a slight surgical operation. People use it to return the foreskin to its original location. In ancient times, traditional midwives or native doctors performed it. And today, for hygienic purposes, physicians perform it. When a healthcare provider performs this on a newborn, it takes no more than 10 minutes. But in some parts of Africa, where they perform circumcision on adult males, it might take up to an hour to perform. The healing process takes 5 to 7 days.

Male circumcision has some health benefits. It lowers the risk of STDs. It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infections and prevents penile inflammation. Though some have concerns about it. But most people believe the risks are low. It depends on the performer’s skill and experience, as well as the circumcision technique. Risks include pain, infections from unsterilized circumcision tools, and other injuries to the male organ. To show its cultural power, it’s shameful for an uncircumcised male among the Igbo, even today. Thus, it is cultural, hygienic, medical, and social, and has strong traditional significance to this day.