 |
A history of the circumcision shelter Kondi Pegue: The choice of the site The rock shelter Kondi Pegue appears to have been used for the first time as a place for circumcision in the last quarter of the 19th century. According to the Guindo, the place was regarded as most suitable as a circumcision site because it is easily accessible from the village, while still being hidden from direct view. Also, it offered sufficient space for the growing number of initiates. The land, and with it the site, belonged to the Karembé family, but they surrendered it on the demand of the Guindo. It is claimed that the shelter had never been used in any way until it became a circumcision site, and that no paintings existed at this place previously. All paintings are said by the Guindo to have been made during the first circumcision ritual at Kondi Pegue by the elders of their family and to have been modelled on the motifs at the old circumcision site at Songo Kolo. | |
