BAUS Poster Library

Penile subincision is a form of urethrotomy where an incision of the ventral aspect of the penis is performed dividing the corpus spongiosum and urethra from the meatus, usually for two to three centimeters, toward the base of the penis. The practice, termed burra, is described in historical journals as a coming of age ritual in young men in indigenous Australian communities in Western and Central Australia. Some reports describe repeated ceremonial blood-letting where the incision is gradually extended by making further small cuts toward the base of the penis. The blood from these cuts was described as sacred, and used to anoint pieces of wood or stones during ceremonies, or to anoint other initiates prior to their subincision.

The cultural practice and reasoning behind this ritual tradition is not well understood or published. There is speculation as to whether the subincised penis was thought to resemble the grooved kangaroo penis – a sacred animal and major food resource with prolonged copulation ability. There are in fact many marsupials that are mentioned in Walbiri (central Australian tribe) stories featuring the burra, and interestingly most of these animals have either a bifid or grooved penis. Others argue the sub-incised penis resembles female genitalia, and 'blood-letting' symbolises menstruation and fertility.

The origin of penile subincision has somehow remained a mystery, and despite lacking data on current trends including incidence and prevalence, is a presumed diminishing or even extinct practice.