The Wound is a moving portrayal of a rite-of-passage of pubescent boys of Xhosa, a south African tribe· In the ceremony, which is referred to as ulwaluko, the act sealing their manhood is circumcision· The boys receive their "manhood" education from the elders during the healing period. Kwamda, a city boy, is sent to the ceremony as an "initiate" by his father, who hires Xolan as a "caregiver"· Xolan has had a long-time intimate relationship with Vija, another caregiver· Vija is married with children· While seperated during most of the year, their relationship gets re-consummated at every ulwaluko· Kwamda, who himself is gay, quickly discovers