Encyclopedia of African Religion

Molefi KeteAsante; Ama Mazama

doi:10.4135/9781412964623

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Circumcision

Edited by:
Molefi Kete Asante
&
Ama Mazama
In:Encyclopedia of African Religion
Chapter DOI:https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623
Subject:Black Studies
Keywords:circumcision

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Various forms of surgical and ritual operations known as circumcision are performed on human sex organs throughout the world. In Africa, it is an old practice. Erroneously believed by many people to be of Israelite or Islamic origin, circumcision actually predates the births of Jesus Christ and Mohammed. It is a much more ancient practice than Judaism and Islam, one that came to the Israelites from the Kemetians, the ancient Egyptians. This entry looks at that history and the practice in Africa.

Historical Background

The oldest documentary evidence for male circumcision comes from ancient Egypt. Proof of circumcision rite abounds in the ancient Egyptian temple reliefs and paintings; tomb artwork from the 6th dynasty (2345–2181 BC) shows men with circumcised penises. In addition, one relief from this ...

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  Asante, M. K., & Mazama, A. (2009). Circumcision. In Encyclopedia of African Religion (pp. 167-169). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623
  
  Asante, Molefi K., and Ama Mazama. "Circumcision." In Encyclopedia of African Religion, edited by Asante, Molefi Kete., and Ama Mazama, 167-69. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.
  
  Asante, M. K. and Mazama, A. 2009. Circumcision. In: Encyclopedia of African Religion. Molefi K. Asante and Ama Mazama Editors, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 167-169 Available at: <https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623> [Accessed 9 Dec 2023].
  
  Asante, Molefi K. and Ama Mazama. "Circumcision." Encyclopedia of African Religion. Edited by Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009, pp. 167-69. Sage Knowledge, doi: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412964623.
  
  Asante, Molefi K., and Ama Mazama. Circumcision. In Encyclopedia of African Religion. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.; 2009: 167-169. doi:10.4135/9781412964623
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