Penile subincision

Subincision was traditionally performed around the world, notably in Australia, but also in Africa, South America and the Polynesian and Melanesian cultures of the Pacific, often as a coming of age ritual.

Disadvantages include the risks inherent in the procedure itself, which is often self-performed, and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The Arrernte word for subincision is arilta, and occurs as a rite of passage ritual for adolescent boys.

Some academics theorise that a subincised penis is thought to resemble a vulva, and the bleeding is likened to menstruation.

According to Ken Hale, who studied Damin, no ritual initiations have been carried out in the Gulf of Carpentaria for half a century, and hence the language has also died out.