Following her older brother’s circumcision, his sister wears his sacred cow-horn headdress. In doing so she announces to the village her brother’s transition into manhood. The white powder on her face symbolizes her link to the spirit world.During the five days preceeding his circumcision, each initiate, known as Sana, performs a ritual dance each day. Dressed to accentuate purity and strength, he wears two strips of newly woven white cloth.A Taneka initiate holding two ritual fly whisks, performs a dance called a Duridjosa. During this dance he presents himself to the village elders before his circumcision.While shaking the fly whisks, the Sana initiate acknowledges in the crowd the priest and the villagers whom he has known since his youth. They accept that the person who leaves for circumcision will not be the same when he returns.During the initiates dance, and elder specializing in circumcision embraces the youth to test his ability to fearlessly face the ordeal that lies ahead. He feels the boys heartbeat against his own chest and watches to see if he is able to hold the fly whisks steadily above his head. If the initiates heart is racing he is given a herbal draught to calm him down.Placed in front of the village granary are eleven buffalo horn headdresses, called Biri, freshly painted for the occasion and indicating the number of young men undergoing initiation.The highly revered Biri buffalo horn headdresses are traditionally worn by those about to be circumcised. When the headress is put on, the initiate is ready to participate in a slow solemn dance called Yayiloon, proclaiming to the community “I am ready to be cut, I am strong.” After circumcision, this headdress will be given to the boy’s sister, who will wear it to dance in the village while singing her brother’s praises.A Taneka intiate anticipates the coming ordeal on his day of circumcision.The dancers’ headdresses are fashioned from clusters of white feathers bound to the end of red bamboo quills, which are in turn attached to a braided crown of hair. To complete their impressive appearances, the dancers wear beaded fringe skirts and have their heads shaved into intricate patterns.Following eight days of parading through the coutryside wearing feather headdresses, the Sana initiates gather in the village for the final day of dance. There, they perform the Ngani, known as the dance of force, to the accompaniment of tam-tam drums and ancient iron bells. In contrast to the other more energetic initiation dances, the Ngani emphasizes beauty, grace and suppleness.Wearing a headdress of white feathers and red bamboo stalks, a Taneka initiate displays his masculine strength in participating in the “the dance of force”. To the accompaniment of drums and iron bells, he will dance throughout the night, until the point of his ritualistic circumcision in the morning. His ebullient mood helps keep fear and anxiety at bay.Left: The village elders bring out the circumcision knives, honed to a peak sharpness by the blacksmith. The four knives that will be used for cutting the 11 initiates have been stored in the clan house. At right: Acting on the advice of his guardian each initiate selects a knife he wishes to be used for his circumcision. As each Sana holds his chosen knife, he tests the sharpness against his neck, confronting the pain he will have to endure.In great pain, the Sana still cannot show his distress, and must sit stoically, with only a small raffia fan to cool his burning wound. The banana-leaf sheath completely covers his penis. He will wear it for the next three months, and during this period must not engage in sexual activity or cultivate any crops.The jangling sounds of metal castanets announce the arrial of Kumpara Guardians who perform a mesmerising syncopated line dance. These guardians are the protectors and carers of the boys during the period of circumcision.The Kumpara Guardians are responsible for Taneka male initiates and act as travelling entertainers during the eightmonth period preceding the circumcision ceremony, as well as afterwards. Through provocative entertainment they raise the funds necessary to feed and care for the initiates.In their light hearted entertainments, the Kumpara guardians delight in acting out parodies of modern life. They smoke pipes, mock sophisticated photographers with cameras made of metal scraps, and imitate westerners by wearing hats decorated with photographs.Leather and horn talsimans are worn on the upper arm for protection, and colorful beaded waistbands are worn to decorate and identify the Kumpara guardians.The good natured teasing of the Kumpara eases tensions among village families whose young men will undergo the most serious transition in their lives.Some Kumpara some wear hats made from a collage of photographs, and others mimic anthropologists and photographers with binoculars and cameras.
