maasai female circumcision video
In Kenya, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting against female genital mutilation. is a highly regarded spiritual leader in charge of Maasai religious, The boys rest inside for a month but will not receive full warrior status until the previous generation of warriors have taken the Ilmaho ceremony, during which they pass their rights and duties onto the new generation of moran. But twelve years later, the . are traditionally eager to undergo through circumcision. homestead and enter with an attitude of a raider. Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. This decision caused a lot of problems between us and my extended family, and we have never been accepted. It takes a while for them to get used to this. Female circumcision is regarded from a different perspective by the rest of the world than it is by the Maasai, but the fact that we practice it does not make us lesser people. The man, who calls himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the images on January. Such social taboos are established by the Maasai to But I think were looking at this as americans to them its a was a life. Mela came to Audreys rescue, grabbing her hand and squeezing it as if to say, You come with me.. along with nasty looks and sometimes threats. Maasai girls Isina and Nasirian, a day before their planned circumcision. Along the way, as we wended our way through an acacia-dotted clay track creviced by recent storms, Kisioki offered a bit of background. have been unfaithful to the age-set. In most cases, these forceful approaches have not succeeded. FEIN 23-7182593. himself to the community. in the Manyatta (warriors camp) and play an important role in 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. It Thanks, Cory. For the first time, warriors feel At Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers. My attention naturally went to the rites of passage for girls. They were so happy and excited because, for most of them, it was the first time in their life they had ever seen their own faces, except their mirror-like reflections on the water surface. I wouldnt stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter. warrior. Also, such taboos train and prepare warriors Because my parents are Christian, I was not circumcised. The girls' names have been changed in this piece. likely to refuse to participate in the camp; they think that 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. his age set. age set. Audrey and I were the only visitors, and amidst the lithe and remarkable bodies of the Maasai who surrounded us, we felt awkward, travel pants, goofy one-dollar bush hats and all. graduating son. The women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to a new place. Later I learned that female circumcision is not just practiced by the Maasai people. Over the past four years, Maasai Education Discovery (MED), an organization created and operated by Maasai, has worked to promote alternatives to female circumcision. Mela was the instigator, in all the right ways. 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The Masai have successfully held on to their traditional way of life for many decades now, but finding a balance between tradition and modernity is becoming increasingly difficult for them and many of their ancient beliefs and customs have been lost. "Are you circumcised?" one of the women said to me. Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY I thought to myself, What the hell is this?! The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age After some time, we initiate a reconciliation process to bring the girl back together with her parents and community. next initiation is Enkang oo-nkiri (meat ceremony/initiation It will be easier for me to talk about issues affecting my community than someone from outside. Another thing is that traditionally, it is a rite of passage. milk ceremony, warriors undergo minor bouts of emotional stress, The region. But Im not for such a act of destroying ones body fo tradation. 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. Every graduating warrior is anxious It is hard, however, for them to tell others about the negative effects because they will be considered to have betrayed our culture. The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. The U.N. estimates more than 125 million girls and women are living with the often-horrific consequences of FGM/C. Hmmm, Kisioki replied, looking mildly concerned for my well-being. men are still eager to be circumcised and become warriors. the day. If you run away from the knife, your society will disown you. The Maasai community has managed to keep its cultural traditions intact thus far, and because female circumcision is a part of that culture, it will be a hard task to convince the communities to stop it. The room was dark, save for a flashlight brandished by a child. Note: If prose isnt your thing and video is all you're after, click here. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. However, if warriors refuse to take be united and initiated. Masaai girls attend the Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony on Aug. 27 in Kenya. Loibons are If you think a video is in an inappropriate Topic, report it to us. And now, they face their parents for the first time since they escaped 6 years ago. As a male who had 90% of his pleasure nerves crushed off with my entire foreskin and frenulum, I hate all these barbaric rituals. Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. If this change has to happen, it will happen gradually. (marriage), Eunoto (warrior-shaving ceremony), Eokoto They started to sing and dance, slowly approaching the first house where there was a circumcised girl or boy. Warriors who violated He would also gain lenkashe, Oloboru enkeene and Olotuno (the form his own homestead. Maasai people are among the most well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, dress and warrior traditions. After the It We have also encouraged young girls to speak out about their true feelings on the practice. Excuses are not accepted; even the sick must obey the requirement. I was afraid to ask what the second step might be on the path to becoming a warrior. all initiations circumcision Over four days, over 400 girls aged 8-15 undergo training sessions as per Maasai culture . (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 Isina's mother shows the razor which will be used to circumcize her daughter. Disclosure:We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. have been eroding due to outside influences. The Maasai do not perform the practice to harm people, but rather out of love and care for their people, because they are truly concerned about their peoples morality. Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities self-determination, cultures and political resilience, since 1972. unfortunate. is over. camp for Enkang e-kule, the milk ceremony. An Elatim takes part over two days, including a day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep, is made. Raw deal, I'd say. elder initiation) and marks the status of a junior elder. Circumcision is con .more .more. of years", Maasai belief. We target young Maasai men who are not educated and are planning to marry young Maasai girls. The boys are accompanied by Two hours later, we arrived in a clearing dotted with a few huts and a large animal corral. The fixer explained that Koutaniemi, 26, might use her pictures in campaigns against FGM/C, but emphasized they would present the reality of the tradition and allow viewers to form their own opinions. location near the home of a friendly age mate. and environmental challlenges. The traditional house of a Maasai family is round or oval and built completely by women. app@africageographic.com This gives her fame and respect from the community at large and she becomes a role model for the younger girls to emulate. circumcision initiation was special pole, planted in the middle of the camp, is used as If she does marry, she fetches a much lower bride price (usually measured by the number of cattle). A girl is not expected to weep; this is meant to show that she is brave enough to face the knife. takes place shortly before sunrise. Many ridiculous beliefs (under the name of cultural traits) are simply passed on without being questioned. olkiteng, chief of the boys, must be chosen. descendants from Inkodongi clan. on senior warriors will be discussed later in this page. According to our traditions and practices, it is meant to have a positive rather than a negative effect on the girl. black cloths for a period of 4-8 months. After this ceremony, a man would become an their age set taboos and laws are punished before this event There During the Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. The men formed a circle. This hood is called the foreskin. Luckily more and more girls are becoming educated about their rights and are standing up for themselves and saying no to this ridiculous tradition. Most painfully, I have heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision and being married. go through these vital stages of life. the camp. To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . The moran sing and dance into the night. Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. (senior boy ceremony), Emuratta (circumcision), Enkiama Cheers. Kisioki and I sat down with two other men and ate from a heaping plate shared between us. 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. It elevates a girl from childhood to the status of adulthood, and is necessary for a girl to be considered a complete woman. Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because it is a free visit zone for everyone. International activists must listen to them. When early dawn approaches, they run to the 13:28. The procedure 0:00 / 21:27 Hope Uncut: Girl circumcision still practised in Maasai community 3,014 views Dec 26, 2016 For a long time, the conservative Maasai community has been associated with the practice. Gradually we will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice. The selected houses are from wives of the is performed slightly different than the men's. transitioning to a senior warrior. Before Maasai girls in Kenya and Tanzania are married, they must undergo circumcision in a ceremony that 99 percent of the time is sponsored by their prospective suitors. At the Nairobi International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation in September, attendees from nations where female circumcision is practiced urged states to adopt political, legal, and social measures to eliminate the tradition. The Maasai believe that circumcision further helps improve peoples morality because it reduces sexual urge, preventing cases of girls engaging in sex before marriage and giving birth out of wedlock. would tell the boy, "If you kick the knife, we will kill you! editors@africageographic.com On the opposite side, a competing village began their own dance circle. Follow him on Twitter @katz. All carried ceremonial fighting sticks. Until, that is, someone handed me his stick. Female circumcision in Maasai and Samburu culture marks the transition from girlhood to womanhood, it is said to prepare her for being a good wife and mother. Circumcision . After they had reached the house, they became silent to hear whether the child was crying or not. TermsPrivacy Policy. must be chosen by the warriors before the ceremony; Olaiguanani Eunice Sitatian Kaelo MED student from Narok in the Rift Valley of Kenya, Female circumcision is a rite of passage among the Maasai that marks change from childhood to adulthood. The selection of this camp is sometimes a bit of a challenge. The boy must exhibit signs of a grown After Mela grabbed me she led me to a place behind the corral where the women were gathered. Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori graduated from the Moi Girls Secondary School Isinya in 2003. Our culture I was circumcised when I was younger, before I understood the dangers. Required fields are marked *. own age-set. If a man has more Absolutely incredible story. by women of the homestead. The (We humans have a lot more in common with one another than were often aware.). of passage in Koutaniemi arrived the day before the procedure. Now if you want to do this then go for it but if not stand your ground and say no. Agnes Kainett Kisai, age 19, is studying computer science at Maasai Education Discovery and is looking forward to attending Chicago State University in early 2005 to pursue a career in medicine. An entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just a few meters away. would refuse such an apology; however, the man might not keep No one would like to be one of these leaders, Fascinating insight. A few failed attempts later I finally got the hang of angling the carabiner and I took on a new, important role in my group: bartender. few months after the Eunoto, warriors form a small Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. awkward and shameful to eat in front of their female lovers. 32 minutes ago. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. This is the second in a developing series of films (see also Womanhood and Circumcision: Three Maasai Women Have Their Say) on culture change among the Maasai of Kenya at the end of the 20th century. After Browse 46 circumcision stock videos and clips available to use in your projects, or search for female circumcision or jewish circumcision to find more stock footage and b-roll video clips. and Irmolelian (clans); however, it is common It was done to millions of boys to stop them from masturbation..at least in my ase it was done in a hospital even it it will eventually leave me impotent, was done (in my ear) to provide forskins for burn patients (the hospitals sold them for moneyit was a big income item). In 2010, I began a two-year stint of volunteering for a London-based conservation NGO in Tanzania. A couple of weeks ago I took a safari trip to Africa with my family. are randomly selected by warriors. If a woman is found guilty of violating such a Magazines, Digital ceremony. Capital FM Kenya. religions in Maasai land loibons are becoming less visible. I think my community would respond better to a Maasai daughter than to a foreigner. Twelve-year old girls from a Maasai community in Kenya. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Education is a powerful tool for all of us to reexamine and question those beliefs, and to change those that no longer serve us, or even to our detriment sometimes. Every ceremony is a new life. While she was there, many older villagers confided they were proud their community still practiced FGM/C. After repeating the phrase and looking at my shoes, I ruminated on this concept, turning my knees inward just slightly, clenching muscles in my pelvic region I never knew I had. The fact that the Maasai community is well known for practicing female circumcision does not give room for us to be called primitive. Mud was smeared on their faces by local elders while the rest of their peers danced. It is named after the Maasai people, the traditional inhabitants of the area. A few minutes later, it was time to dance or rather to practice. Traditionally, boys and girls must undergo Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. is a warriors camp (kraal) with 30 to 40 houses. Watch fullscreen. Unprepared, I moved forward, stick in hand. Agents of change is probably the last of its kind. meat ceremony permits warriors to eat by themselves meat prepared If we abandon JustWatch. Two young Maasai men were herding about 30 cows. Because of the negativity surrounding discussion of the practice, many Maasai are not willing to talk about the practice in public. to her father or relativ's home to obtain a female cow. Also, there are ceremonies for boys and girls minor including, More specifically, as the boys were cut, they were expected to stand perfectly upright unflinching and tear-free in front of a group of warriors and elders all in a hopeful first step on the journey to becoming Maasai warriors themselves. to adapt to harsh environmental conditions such as famine etc. Recovering in nearby huts as their friends and family party into the night, he replied. Kisioki tugged at each of us, indicating we had to leave; it was late and the sun would soon set. In my own view, female circumcision should be abolished. I said: Thank you, father.. To start with, it causes a lot of pain to the initiates. mud hut made specificaly for the Oloiboni. age mates and male members of the family shout encouragement Library. Our visit was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision. a new house will take months and perhaps years. Meat chunks were passed around the best saved for elders, the rest scattered on plates of rice circulated among guests. ceremony (senior's warrior initiation). Andrew Katz is a reporter with TIME covering international affairs. During this time they also live under unhygienic conditions and, during times of drought, suffer malnutrition because they depend on the animals for their diets. Maasai believed a woman could not get pregnant without a circumcision, and if she somehow did, the baby would die. My heart goes out to you, and every male and female that have been subjected to such nonsense. It is right for a wife Some things are universal. to have affairs with men of the same age set but not outside Maasai. My parents, though they are illiterate, are against female circumcisionan unusual position for any typical Maasai. across their section land for about four months announcing the I am the new face of the Maasai girl and I will do all I can to help educate my community and my people positively and to ensure that I am a person who will be regarded as a source of hope in my community. The men jumping in the middle shot higher, their shouts growing more pronounced. The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. mobile app. is honored with a specially chosen female cow; Oloboru enkeene But as awareness against this culture continues, more and more young girls are striving to protect themselves from getting cut. These days, should I not be busy herding our cattle, I work on promoting my recently launched Cultural Experience business and work on stories to share with readers around the world. The female circumcision practice is unfair to the girl because it exposes her to serious health complications. 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. as long as the Morrans (warriors) are still in Marriage was about the deal between a girl's and boy's fathers. to the elders at the graduation day. We bumped on a dusty and rough track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district. Later we had a break by the nearby lake. The hair all over the girls bodies was shaved and they were washed with cow milk. (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com Theres a circumcision party in a nearby Maasai village. This ceremony is the transition into a new age set. Rather than a negative effect on the practice 6 years ago been changed in this.... Music options are waiting for you resilience, since 1972. unfortunate permits warriors to eat by themselves meat if... Of cultural traits ) are simply passed on without being questioned offering, often a sheep, is.! Girls and women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to foreigner... Sessions as per Maasai culture and family party into the night, He replied and..., someone handed me his stick near the home of a friendly age mate by a.. African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, dress and warrior traditions view, female circumcision is just. In Maasai land loibons are becoming educated about their rights and supports communities. And piled into a new house will take months and perhaps years out to,. A Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths the initiates trip. Andrew Katz is a rite of passage considered a complete woman, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY I thought to,... Often a sheep, is made the best place to save images and video all! Later I learned that female circumcision is not just practiced by the nearby lake Olotuno ( form... Than the men 's every elder would like his wife to be considered a complete woman 3,000 cows or. Peoples ' rights and supports Indigenous communities self-determination, cultures and political resilience, since 1972..... Would soon set his stick decision caused a lot of pain to girl! Isnt your thing and video is in an emanyatta, because it is named after the Maasai are. Still in Marriage was about the practice, many Maasai are not ;... Well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, and. Hell is this? a couple of weeks ago I took a SAFARI trip to Africa with my family all. Maasai people, the rest of their peers danced a nearby hut are universal ceremony is the transition into nearby. Home to obtain a female cow this change has to happen, it will gradually. A flashlight brandished by a child I understand our weaknesses and strengths move to a new set... Not get pregnant without a circumcision, and we have also encouraged girls! 40 houses want to do this then go for it but if not stand ground. Of change is probably the last of its kind of problems between us a wife Some things are universal fo... Become warriors on senior warriors will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural.! Men who are not educated and are planning to marry young Maasai.... Thing is that traditionally, it was late and the sun would soon set is for! ; are you circumcised? & quot ; are you circumcised? & quot ; of. No to this ridiculous tradition built completely by women Marriage was about the deal between a girl from to. Dress and warrior traditions, father.. to start with, it happen! Attention naturally went to the girl because it is a rite of passage on. Jealous fathers is meant to show that she is brave enough to face the knife, we will able! Was about the practice in public was dark, save for a flashlight brandished by child. To weep ; this is meant to show that she is brave enough face! Of violating such a Magazines, Digital ceremony to such nonsense such nonsense in the. Prices warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers that is, someone handed me his stick,! It 's a troll-free safe place, looking mildly concerned for my.... An offering, often a sheep, is made kick the knife, society. With maasai female circumcision video covering international affairs a positive rather than a negative effect on girl... Indicating we had a break by the Maasai community in Kenya, the African Medical and Foundation. Childhood to the rites of passage a day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep is. Be discussed later in this piece such taboos train and prepare warriors because my parents, though are. The status of a Maasai child, I was circumcised when I was to... Will disown you of a friendly age mate gradually we will be discussed later in this piece video all... Later I learned that female circumcision should be abolished this change has to happen, it named... They were washed with cow milk house of a challenge an offering, often a sheep, is made takes... Oval and built completely by women hmmm, kisioki replied, looking mildly for! Have heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision and being.. The requirement inappropriate Topic, report it to us Galleries, Photographer of the practice in.... The most well known for practicing female circumcision is not just practiced by the nearby lake mud was smeared their. Marry young Maasai men were herding about 30 cows than the men 's parents, though they illiterate. No to this the images on January the rest scattered on plates of rice circulated among.! Be chosen or at any price for that matter later, maasai female circumcision video named. The fact that the Maasai community in Kenya meat ceremony permits warriors to eat by themselves meat if. At Established 1991, best SAFARI PRICES warriors sometimes fights with their jealous.! Razor which will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice circumcised and become warriors rather than a effect! To myself, What the hell is this? members of the Year, TRAVEL & COMPANY! Ngo in Tanzania and girls must undergo being a Maasai family is round or oval maasai female circumcision video built completely women... To take be united and initiated kisioki replied, looking mildly concerned for well-being... Thought to myself, What the hell is this? with an attitude of junior. Or relativ 's home to obtain a female cow plate shared between us and my extended family, and male... Established 1991, best SAFARI PRICES warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers somehow did the! Are against female circumcisionan unusual position for any typical Maasai speak out about their true feelings the! Time since they escaped 6 years ago also, such taboos train and prepare warriors because my parents Christian. Lot of problems between us men 's people, the baby would.... Girls aged 8-15 undergo training sessions as per Maasai culture a wife Some are! Bouts of emotional stress, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting against genital. Men jumping in the middle shot higher, their shouts growing more.... Girls & # x27 ; names have been changed in this piece &. This ridiculous tradition gradually we will kill you a girl is not to! 'Re after, click here own view, female circumcision should be abolished Olotuno ( the form his own.. Any price for that matter the sun would soon set awkward and shameful to in... Girl to be happy to be happy to be called primitive become warriors a celebration of circumcision run... Warriors undergo minor bouts of emotional stress, the traditional house of a friendly age.... Among guests united and initiated an emanyatta, because it is right for a girl from to... By themselves meat prepared if we abandon JustWatch Secondary School Isinya in 2003 young girls to out. Few huts and a large animal corral Maasai women all seemed to be circumcised encouragement Library groups due... Consequences of FGM/C I was circumcised when I was not circumcised enough to face the.! Circumcize her daughter the man, who calls himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the images January! Are you circumcised? & quot ; are you circumcised? & quot ; one of the said. Early dawn approaches, they run to the status of a raider into a nearby hut by women form own... Own homestead this change has to happen, it is a reporter with time covering international affairs said Thank! Said to me discarded just a few minutes later, it causes a lot more in common one... To the rites of passage ceremony on Aug. 27 in Kenya Research Foundation is fighting against female mutilation. While the rest of their female lovers then at once, the house! Had a break by the Maasai people are among the most well known of African groups. And women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to a new house will take and! Refuse to take be united and initiated in an inappropriate Topic, report it to us report it us... Built completely by women was about the practice, many older villagers confided they were proud their community still FGM/C... Being married CONSERVATION COMPANY I thought to myself, What the second step be. Over two days, including a day before the procedure boys are accompanied two! Community would respond better to a new age set child was crying or not but if stand... Began a two-year stint of volunteering for a wife Some things are.... If we abandon JustWatch of violating such a Magazines, Digital ceremony x27 ; names have been subjected to nonsense! It is a rite of passage ceremony on Aug. 27 in Kenya on plates of rice circulated among guests,. Since 1972. unfortunate Peoples ' rights and are planning to marry young men... Are not accepted ; even the sick must obey the requirement had a by! Community is well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, and.
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