Circumcision is another largely cherished traditional practice observed in Africa and the world at large.

This practice, in many of the societies that practice it, is considered to be obligatory on every one, especially within Muslim communities, where the rite is a most for every one, with special emphasis on the male child. In certain quarters, however, emphasis is placed on both the male and female, a situation that date back from thousands of years until recently when the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) took centre stage, with a widespread criticism drawn from anti-Female Genital Mutilation groups, who argue that the practice poses serious health consequences on the girl child.

The rite of circumcision is seen as another stage for passage into man or womanhood; it serves as an avenue for to be preparing them to live in a mature word. The practice also served as an avenue for handing down of the traditional cultural norms and values to the youngsters as well as a disciplinary avenue geared towards maintaining the spirit of social, economic and political development in the world, especially in a typical African setting. Initiation of circumcision rites is usually greeted with high profile traditional cultural parties throughout the period of the ritual initiation.

As part of efforts meant for the promotion, development and preservation of this some what rich and cherished, but fading traditional cultural practice, Arts and Culture this week caught up with Honourable Foday Jiman Manka, National Assembly Member (NAM) for Janjanbureh. Honourable Manka is, by all measures, an encyclopedia for our traditional cultural norms and values.

His book, exploring almost every aspect of traditional cultural norms and values, will soon hit the bookshelves. It covers an extensive and in-depth analysis of African life, mainly in the Gambia, dating back about hundreds of years ago.

Honourable Manka spoke at length on circumcision from traditional cultural perspective, with special reference to the recently concluded one held in his Janjanbureh constituency, which, having been rated highly by many, was said to be a perfect exhibition of the African traditional cultural norms and values.

The honourable National Assembly member observed that in traditional Gambian society, the community is given more prominence than the individual interest, and that it is obligatory for the individual to respect and participate in almost all activities of the community, failure of which is normally punishable with exclusion, which may have series of severe and untold consequences on the individual and his immediate associates in the community. Thus the individual is forced to conform to the norms and values of the community. Circumcision is seen as a must for every one, irrespective of sex, before being qualified for entry into adulthood.

The word "Solima" in traditional Mandinka cultural terms, is applicable to someone who has not experienced the world of circumcision. Circumcision ceremonies in Janjanbureh was usually determined by good harvest and the number of people available to undergo the ritual initiation, followed by consensus and mutual agreement from community members to stage the event, Mr Manka explained.

He revealed that the 1946/47 traditional circumcision rite was the largest and famous one ever held in Janjanbureh, which he said attracted more than 100 initiates, between the ages of 13 to 19, drawn from Janjanbureh and its stateline villages. He delved on the circumstances that usually surrounded organisation of the ritual circumcision, especially the night before the circumcision day, which is characterised by high profile parties, reassembling of the initiates in the home of their "Karambas" among other activities, through out the period of the event.

The Janjanbureh National Assembly Member (NAM) spoke at length on circumcision from traditional cultural perspective, touching on different traditional cultural words such as Jujuwo, Nyansinbondoo, Kintagolu,Kangurang, Tamba Dokoo, Kanguransita, among others.