Chapter 8 Summary

Of course, following their encounter with Konden Diara, the young boys face the real test of circumcision. Laye is now in his final year of school and is apprehensive about his transition from childhood to manhood. All the young men feel nervous about the circumcision, but the outward manifestations of the ceremony are joyous. The main square in Kouroussa is filled with music and dancing all week long. The young men to be circumcised have special clothing made for the occasion. They wear a boubou, a long tunic that reaches to the heels but is split up the sides, a skullcap decorated with a pompom, and a brightly colored silk handkerchief tied about their loins. The handkerchiefs are given to them by their acknowledged sweethearts, so while they're dancing they kick up their heels to make their boubous fly more freely so everyone...