Findings showed that participants taking part in the Kikuyu-type circumcision ritual served the function of transforming over a short period of time their sense of identity from that of an insignificant boy to that of a respectable young man. Such transformation meant that there was a radical change in both their thinking and their behavior, including learning to withstand pain and hardship for the sake of their family and community. Kihii is a derogatory term referring to any uncircumcised male that the Kikuyu use for all individuals who do not practice male circumcision. A Kihii has no place in the community’s social ranking and lack privileges of any kind. The community historically has never allowed marriage of an uncircumcised boy regardless of their chronological age. The participants’ circumcision ritual experiences have had long-term effects, reporting the impact on their lives both as young adults and as individuals learning to cope with the challenges of living in a radically new culture. The endurance training they received at the time of their circumcision as well as the education received during their period of seclusion and healing, left indelible marks that continue to influence their present day lives. In particular, the training in endurance is seen as the key contributing factor in the transformation into a real man who knows about the challenges of living. Data were collected from 18 participants aged 19 to 59 who had their circumcision ritual experience as a teenager and who planned to organize a circumcision ritual for their male children. Table and references