Amaxhosa Circumcision: Stories of Manhood and Mental Health

This book investigates amaXhosa circumcision and the psychological processes involved. Lauraine Vivian employs concepts such as resilience, orthodoxy, broken men, and reciprocity to examine the experiences of men who have developed mental health issues in relation to their initiation into manhood. The chapters cover sensitive topics such as physical injury, pain, harm, and women’s agency. Drawing on the stories of over seventy amaXhosa men, the book provides rare insight into circumcision and psychotic experience.

Lauraine M. H. Vivian is an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.