Around 2 weeks before my 24th birthday my father asked me if I wanted to attend a tribal coming of age ceremony. I was told that I just needed to follow some dance, prayers and rituals. After that, I will be given a welcoming gift, a cash prize that is enough to buy almost two new cars.
Of course, I accepted, it sounded like easy money.
Around a week before the ceremony, I was sent to tribal villages to live with them for a while and understand the traditions, customs etc, and what’s going on during the ceremony.
The day before the ceremony, I had to rehearse, and I was given the costume I had to wear – it looks like a kilt. I was asked to change into it. I kept my undies on and was asked to take them off. I negotiated and asked if something like a thong is OK (I came prepared, I saw some pictures of the traditional costume) – I was told no.
The fabric is really thin, you can easily see the outline, and really short – shorter than my girlfriend’s mini skirt – I was told it’s only purpose is to block sunlight. Other than that the less fabric the better to allow more freedom of movement.
They also need to paint some pattern on my chest , torso and back – having a brush painting on your body feels quite weird and I got a semi quite a few times – no one said a thing, and I just pretended like nothing is happening – I am really not sure if anyone even noticed
When standing, it barely covers the junk, and if there is wind blowing or when I sit (no chairs , sit on the ground) , I will be exposed. I was told not to worry as only adult tribal men (24 or older by tribal rules) – can attend. At least I don’t have to worry about women or my brother (1 year younger than me) seeing me naked
At first, I tried to cover it when the wind is blowing or adjust it when I am sitting to not expose myself, but I gradually got tired of it and stopped trying
And then as I performed the rituals and hunting, I do realize that it is much more comfortable this way
Since then, I have never been shy about being nude around other men – it’s just another part of the body