In Fiji, circumcision isn't done until the boys are around 9 to 12 years old. It is a "coming of age" thing. During the first week or so of our trip, we didn't see any of them, but once we did one, we got more and more and more. Some of them went better than others, but it was a good experience for all of us. Almost all of us med students got to do one, and some of us did multiple surgeries (I got to do two).

When the boys have had their operation, they tie their sulus (like a sarong) crossed around their necks and tied in back. This way, they can show off their operation. If a boy isn't circumcised, he is teased at school. The best way we dealt with the oddness of the culture was through laughter. So when, on our next to last night there, we all were given sulus, the guys in the dorm decided to model the traditional dress of a newly circumcised male... including facial expressions :-)
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