The Goat

Overview

Ukwaluka is an ancient circumcision ritual for young men still widely practiced by the Xhosa in South Africa. It marks the transition from youth to manhood. A boy who has just undergone circumcision sits in semi-darkness in a simple hut on a hill, far away from the village, as prescribed by the initiation ritual. He is covered from head to toe with a paint made from clay which makes him look as white as a goat. This should be a period of healing, but he is cold and in pain. His grandfather, who is supposed to induct him into his new life, has not yet appeared. According to the belief system of the Xhosa, Ukwaluka also purges the boy from homosexual desires, for which there is no place in the world of adults.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

January 1, 2014

Original language

Xhosa

Spoken languages

Xhosa

Countries

South Africa

Cast

Nkosipendule Cengani,Mbasa Tsetsana,Hlangi Vundla,Thando Mhlontlo

Director

John Trengove

Writer

John Trengove

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

IMDb

tt3509848