Gũthiĩ Rũũĩ
Going to the river
Before modern medicine, circumcision was done by the river very early in the morning, hence the term "gũthiĩ rũũĩ" (going to the river).
At this time of early morning, the water is ice cold, making it an excellent natural anaesthetic.
At the Riika Program, to symbolize gũthiĩ rũũĩ, the boys take turns to take a dip in the freezing early morning swimming pool water before going into theatre for circumcision surgery.
When
Dawn, on the morning of circumcision
At Riika
A cold dip in the swimming pool