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Non-therapeutic circumcision is seen as a rite of passage in many African tribal traditions.<ref>Schloss, Marc R. ''The Hatchet’s Blood: Separation, Power, and Gender in Ehing Social Life.'' Tucson: {{UNI|University of Arizona|UArizona}} Press, 1988.</ref><ref>Heald, Suzette. ''Controlling Anger: The Sociology of Gisu Violence.'' Manchester: {{UNI|Manchester University|UOM}} Press, 1989.</ref><ref>Bloch, Maurice. ''From Blessing to Violence: History and Ideology in the Circumcision Ritual of the Merina of Madagascar.'' Cambridge: {{UNI|Cambridge University|UCam}} Press, 1986.</ref><ref>Beidelman, T. O. The Cool Knife: Imagery of Gender, Sexuality, and Moral Education in Kaguru Initiation Ritual.Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1997.</ref><ref>Turner, Victor. "Mukanda: The Rite of Circumcision." ''In The Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual.'' Ithaca: {{UNI|Cornell University|CU}} Press, 1967.</ref> In some African societies, a man who has not been circumcised is seen as a child, and unfit to take on the duties of a "man" (IE, someone who has been circumcised), such as positions of office and authority.
Boys and men are circumcised at different ages depending on the African society. Practices obviously vary. Among the Ehing of Senegal, the major idea of the ritual is to "spill sexual blood," and with the very young just the tip of the [[skin ]] is considered sufficient for them to have entered the initiation. Children whose wounds have closed too completely were subjected to repeat operations, with the second cutting being much more extensive.<ref>Schloss, Marc R. The Hatchet’s Blood: Separation, Power, and Gender in Ehing Social Life. Tucson: {{UNI|University of Arizona|UArizona}} Press, 1988. pp. 76-77.</ref> Among the Gisu of Uganda, only youths aged eighteen to twenty-four are eligible for circumcision, which is perceived as a crucial test of masculine bravery and endurance. The youth must stand absolutely still while first their foreskins are being cut and then stripped from around the glans penis. They are required to display total fortitude under the knife, betraying no signs of fear, not even involuntary twitching or blinking. The Gisu describe the pain as "fierce, bitter, and terrifying."<ref>Heald, Suzette. Controlling Anger: The Sociology of Gisu Violence. Manchester: {{UNI|Manchester University|UOM}} Press, 1989. pp. 60.</ref>
=== Australia ===
However, in In the 613 mitzvot, Jews are commanded:
:''"do not mark your [[skin ]] with tattoos." (Lev. 19:28) "you shall not cut yourselves." (Deut. 14:1)''
:''"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh. (Lev. 19:28)''