Circumcision as a 'tourist attraction'.

[Minuteman]

I came across these examples of circumcision being used as a 'tourist attraction' (result of googling 'circumcision tourist attration' - no quotation marks), which might also be useful for others drafting policy responses and the like.

Please add more to this thread, if you are aware of them (preferably with a link).


Malaysia -

Located near Bukit Puteri in Kuala Terengganu, it is the pride of the Sultanate institution in Terengganu. This palace is still used for official ceremonies such as the inauguration of Sultan Terengganu, circumcision, ear piercing, marriage and welcoming official state guests.

Source: Tourism Malaysia http://www.tourism.gov.my/destinatio...ate=terengganu

Kenya -

'What is featured at Mayers is the bravery of the Maasai warrior, the glorification of youth and maleness, Maasai at the "Lords of East Africa," cattle raids, lion hunting, male circumcision, the diet of raw foods (milk and blood), the primitive Maasai, the "natural man," and the affinity between tribesmen and wildlife.' (p. 4).

Source: Maasia on the Lawn: Tourist Realism in East Africa http://www.nyu.edu/classes/bkg/tourist/maasai.pdf

Uganda -

Eastern Uganda is another common destination where tourists gather once every two years during summer to witness the circumcision ceremonies of the Bugisu people.

Source: Uganda Famous Landmarks, Tourist Attractions & Best Places to Visit http://famouswonders.com/category/uganda/

Madagascar -

The Sambatra: It is a tribal celebration which lasts for 4 week. The festival is celebrated by the Antambahoaka Tribe and is a collective circumcision ritual. Lots of celebration takes place during the festival. The tribal communities eat, drink, dance and indulge in frenzy.

Source: Festivals in Madagascar http://travel.mapsofworld.com/madaga...in-madagascar/

Tanzania -

(Note: Written by a female American travel consultant promoting her company's 'Safari tours' in Tanzania)

I felt immediately connected to the Maasai and particularly the boys' for allowing us to witness the single most important event in a Maasai man's life. It was unbelievably humbling and reminded me of how beneficial and socially solidifying rites of passages are. I cannot think of a single event in the average American's life that harbors the social significance of this event I have just described. I cannot help but feel that perhaps we are missing out on this idea or construct that strengthens bonds and builds character in the way the Maasai circumcision does. It was not barbaric, gross, pagan or fanatic; it was, in fact, the opposite. The extremely rare event that I was fortunate enough to witness is not only soul building, pride rearing and so completely admirable...it is, in a way, even beautiful.

If you would like more information on how to expereince something similar yourself, please contact...

Source: The Cutting Edge - Observation of a Maasai Male Circumcision Ceremony http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Cuttin...emony&id=84778

[Minuteman]

Thailand -

IT IS THE DAY the foreskins have to go. About 30 young boys are set for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, under the knife.
...
Most seem to be extremely tolerant of public exposure of their bodies, as do their parents. This is, after all, a special occasion, a Sunrat, when boys aged four to nine lose their foreskins and join the path to adulthood.

Source: Phuket's Mass Circumcision Photo Special - Phuket Wan http://phuketwan.com/entertainment/p...special-12341/

[z726]

Hmm… how about anti-circumcision at a tourist attraction?

Those of you familiar with Los Angeles may have heard of its famous Venice Beach, known for its "boardwalk" littered with street performers, artists, and one too many vendors. The amount of foot traffic it gets on a daily basis is huge, making it an popular place for political speech. The message many of us are trying to spread is well represented:





EDIT: the first photo was from a rally during genital integrity awareness week. I just found a bunch more here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fb...60234400676350

[Minuteman]

More from the Philippines -

"Ouch, It’s Circumcision Time for the young boys!" in 'Live in the Philippines Web Magazine' 25 June 2011.

http://liveinthephilippines.com/cont...he-young-boys/

June 25, 2011 By GenSan Chris 62 Comments

Every year within the period of the school holidays which are held over April, May and into June it is not unusual to see the younger boys around the age of 8 to 10 years old walking around in either rather large T shirt, Big Baggy Shorts or even girls dresses, one thing that all these boys are doing is holding the cloth away from their private parts as the reason for such strange dress is simply because they have just been circumcised!

Here in the Philippines the average age for circumcision is 8 years old while in most countries boys are circumcised just after birth before the nerves come to life and in fact, most boys do not even know that they have had it trimmed. I did not know until I was about 12 years old but one time in the school showers after playing sports some of the boys were laughing at one of the class because he had not been trimmed, I went and had a look for myself and noticed the difference. When I got home I asked my mum about it and she told me that mine had been trimmed within the first few hours of my life so that was a mystery solved even though it was a word had never heard of before. We were not the sharpest knives in the box up in Bradford in them days.

[Minuteman]

If any readers happen to have knowledge or expertise (or even just a keen interest) in anthropology, tourism studies, or the social sciences, and can source quality references in the academic literature or from government websites etc., that would be great.

[finman]

while in most countries boys are circumcised just after birth before the nerves come to life

No getting that lie in. The baby having to be strapped down or held tightly, the screaming in despair, the writhing and obvious agony the child is in shows this to be untrue. I thought that idea was a thing of the past.

[Minuteman]

Newspaper article using a celebrity to glorify "medical missions" exclusively (or near exclusively) for the purpose of performing circumcisions ( acknowledgment: originally posted by Joseph in the Press Room section http://www.foreskin-restoration.net/...ighlight=Tebow ).

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/...al-santos-city

During spring break, Tebow added a new facet to his fame. In an impoverished village outside General Santos City in the Philippines, Tebow helped circumcise impoverished children.
...
More than 250 people underwent medical and dental procedures, some of them from "Dr. Tebow," who has no formal surgical training.

"The first time, it was nerve-racking," he said. "Hands were shaking a little bit. I mean, I'm cutting somebody. You can't do those kinds of things in the United States. But those people really needed the surgeries. We needed to help them."

Would still welcome quality references sourced from the academic literature or from government websites etc., by any readers who happen to have knowledge or expertise (or even just a keen interest) in anthropology, tourism studies, or the social sciences.

[finman]

I thought sex crimes performed in another country could be tried in the home country.

[finman]

Is this an alternative to bellowing bulls, squawking fighting cocks, squealing bears or yapping fighting dogs as the latest torture to entertain tourists?

[Minuteman]

A pair of female 'medical researchers' fascinated by tribal and traditional male circumcision practices, who apparently also enjoy watching and being in the vicinity of newly circumcision boys:

http://www.aids.harvard.edu/news/spo...eca_plank.html

Q & A: REBECA PLANK

Dr. Rebeca Plank is the Principal Investigator of a new clinical trial, Infant Male Circumcision in Gaborone, Botswana, and Surrounding Areas: Feasibility, Safety and Acceptability. Plank is an Infectious Disease and HIV specialist who trained at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She recently spoke with Martha Henry, Editor of Spotlight

What is the history of circumcision in Botswana?

Plank: Circumcision had traditionally been practiced into the 19th century to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood. This practice was discouraged through the influence of Western medical missionaries. As of a few years ago, up to 15% of men in Botswana were circumcised, only rarely as infants.