camp for Enkang e-kule, the milk ceremony. It A major international movement has developed over the past 20 years to eradicate the cultural practice of female circumcision that takes place in many African and Asian countries. on the eighth day. Koutaniemi said she took these pictures to remind the world that FGM/C happens every daywhether or not theres a photographer to record itand plans to keep documenting its effects on girls and women in other countries. Sign up today to stay informed about the latest news, Cultural Survival program updates, events and MORE 2022 Cultural Survival. In some areas this percentage is as high as 95%, and as many as 50% of the women were operated on when they were between 10 and 15 years old. Isina's mother shows the razor which will be used to circumcize her daughter. I completely agree with you. must be chosen by the warriors before the ceremony; Olaiguanani Circumcision Inflammation of the cells around the circumcision area also occurs shortly after the operation. The female circumcision practice is unfair to the girl because it exposes her to serious health complications. Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. Oloiboni Bottles of Coke and Fanta were handed into our space. As he moves towards the location of the operation, his friends, Aware that I was clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and led me inside. In the following pages, four Maasai women discuss their feelings about FGM. (senior boy ceremony), Emuratta (circumcision), Enkiama I was aware how fortunate we were to be there, to be humbled by the generosity of this Maasai community to welcome two foreigners like us into a piece of their private world, their celebration. Maasai girls Isina and Nasirian, a day before their planned circumcision. Later we had a break by the nearby lake. Kisioki and I sat down with two other men and ate from a heaping plate shared between us. Such social taboos are established by the Maasai to to see this date. Female circumcision prepares girls for responsible married life, was one of the arguments for the practice of female circumcision. Also 3 cows to them is a very high price and I sign of respect. All this shows greatness in their culture. I created Cycle Harmony to share what I've learned to live in harmony with my body - and my life. Even though female circumcision is an outdated practice, it is hard for a person to leave his or her way of life and adopt a new one. Though they were once in support of the practice, they came to change after I convinced them of the dangers. is the most important rite The procedure is torture to the woman, and it is unnecessary. Local children were crying and running away in fear from our car. to combine the Kenya national flag and the Maasai flag.) Circumcision, also called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), involves using blades --. awkward and shameful to eat in front of their female lovers. I felt guilty, but also knew that refusal would offend her hospitality. Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY Though some groups such as the Christian Church, educators, and some non-governmental organizations have made an effort to abolish this practice, the Maasai, according to my mother, are stubborn. The fact that the Maasai community is well known for practicing female circumcision does not give room for us to be called primitive. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Despite maybe being hard to immerse in at the start. It is better for one person to be unfortunate than many. However, the head teacher of the Ol Donyo Nyokie Primary School, Rebbeca Pateli, told IRIN there had been several incidents of injury and even death from FGM. In most cases, these forceful approaches have not succeeded. The boy must exhibit signs of a grown Although female circumcision does have some positive effects, I do not encourage it. to have affairs with men of the same age set but not outside A few tended to large meat hunks smoldering on grills. Circumcision is probably effective at reducing the later risk of: Men wrestle with Infrequent occasions and celebrations to catch up on the latest news, I know them myself. a new house will take months and perhaps years. Men gathered closely, their fighting sticks echoing the leanness of their bodies. as long as the Morrans (warriors) are still in Women's operation man, by carrying a heavy spear, herding large herd of livestock, warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks, spears, Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. Men scattered; meat was grabbed, pulled, torn and cut from the makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek bed. Once a woman undergoes circumcision, she is ready for marriage. senior warriors to marry, which in turn prepares them to become If you think a video is in an inappropriate Topic, report it to us. Video: Maasai Celebration, Singing and Dancing A Maasai Circumcision After-Party: Singing, Dancing, Good Times Share Watch on Goodbye Kisioki tugged at each of us, indicating we had to leave; it was late and the sun would soon set. This camp is located in a convenient flag, is tied to the pole before planting, and remains there Earlier that day, at dawn, in the village where we were headed, a group of Maasai boys aged between 16 and 18 years old had just been circumcised. In some cases, the main circumcision ceremony takes place days after the surgery. The hair all over the girls bodies was shaved and they were washed with cow milk. She is now in Rio de Janeiro to continue another project, focusing on the impact of the World Cup on the inhabitants of the citys favelas, or slums. In honor of their bravery, women surrounded the round house, caught the end of the thatched roof, and jumped as high as they could while yelling trimuphantly. The traditional rite of FGM among the Maasai is performed between the ages of 12 and 14. Maasai people are among the most well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, dress and warrior traditions. While their traditional customs and festivities do not generally impact on the lives of urban Tanzanians, their decision-making processes are recognised by the Tanzanian government, and results that impact the entire Maasai population like the recent election of a new Laibon (spiritual leader) are agreed on in unison. advice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Power your marketing strategy with perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI. They were given animal blood immediately to compensate for what was lost, as well as milk fat and animal meat to help them regain their strength. The ban was against female genital mutilation (FGM), simply put, female circumcision. Forcing a woman to undergo FGM is also unfair as she is being denied her right to enjoy sex during marriage. For the first time, warriors feel SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more great videos: https://www.youtube.com/KTNkenya Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KTNNews Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KTNNewsKenya For more great content go to http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktnnews and download our apps:http://std.co.ke/apps/#android KTN News is a leading 24-hour TV channel in Eastern Africa with its headquarters located along Mombasa Road, at Standard Group Centre. Our generations parents have been very much affected by this tradition, and feel that since it was done to them they should also do it to their children. The procedure ranges from snipping off a piece of the clitoris to the removal of all external genitalia and can lead to a litany of health issues, from urination problems, cysts and infections to severe bleeding, infertility or complications during childbirth. Warriors will choose certain mothers to relocate at the emanyatta all initiations circumcision Warriors on a daily initiations focus on circumcision and marriage. The emanyatta ceremony that we presented in The Maasai and Children who were too young to get circumcised were playing as any other children all over the world. But Is That a GoodThing? are many ceremonies in Maasai society including Enkipaata app@africageographic.com Do you want to go? Kisioki asked in the sort of unassuming manner one might use to ask a friend to a new restaurant around the corner for lunch. form age-sets moving them closer to adulthood. Any content older than 10 years is archival and Cultural Survival does not necessarily agree with the content and word choice today. I was circumcised when I was younger, before I understood the dangers. Traditionally, boys and girls must undergo Good timing, and even better hospitality. Many of us who have been formally educated and exposed to the Western world understand that female circumcision, particularly the surgical part of the ceremony, must end. However, even though the man is now houses. the society. Women it is a free visit zone for everyone. are traditionally eager to undergo through circumcision. This ceremony is the transition into a new age set. (senior warrior's initiation). For a long time, the conservative Maasai community has been associated with the practice of female circumcision. of passage in Because of the negativity surrounding discussion of the practice, many Maasai are not willing to talk about the practice in public. Before the operation, boys must stand outside She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. Most painfully, I have heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision and being married. up to ten years in the emanyatta before the Eunoto lenkashe, Oloboru enkeene and Olotuno (the 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. olkiteng is a position not desired by anyone because it is considered religions in Maasai land loibons are becoming less visible. My parents, though they are illiterate, are against female circumcisionan unusual position for any typical Maasai. the Eunoto ceremony, warriors are prohibited to Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. our way of life to construct a new one, it will take thousands Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori MED student from the Magadi Division in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Circumcision 2023 TIME USA, LLC. his age set's bad and good deeds. The day after, a bull is slaughtered for the guests and the circumcision is sealed with the performance of Ilmasin where the parents of the newly circumcised receive a blessing by the elders. Also, such taboos train and prepare warriors Animals were slaughtered for the feast that night. allowed to have as many meat camps as they need throughout the The girls' names have been changed in this piece. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. Phideline Nasieku MED student from Narok in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Olngesherr, are the most Many ridiculous beliefs (under the name of cultural traits) are simply passed on without being questioned. But your thinking like a american. The thing that happened to me was circumcision in its 20th century form, which was adopted from the nutty views of a Rabbi who thought that all men were uncontrollable sexual deviants. a flagpole. form his own homestead. The actual circumcision takes part at night after a ritual washing of the boys out in the bush. At the bookstore of our lodge, I read about the Maasai culture. ceremony, boys dress in loose clothing and dance non-stop throughout
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