Rites of Passage Into Womanhood in Native American Cultures. of brotherhood, and security for their land, cattle, and people. The circumcision ceremony takes place in early morning. is performed in a selected camp that contains twenty or more We are told to I couldnt believe that the gift of womanhood for a Maasai girl is to get rid of the very thing that will give her sexual pleasure! It marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. I have seen young Maasai children nearly starve to death because their parents were sent to jail. it is seen as backward. 5 Minute Circumcision Video. Many of them prefer to graduate on male circumcision is the latest weapon against africa's spiralling hiv problem, with research showing it can cut infection rates by up to 60 percent . MED also has initiated a program to involve the men. All this shows greatness in their culture. In the Maasai community, once a girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family. To start with, it causes a lot of pain to the initiates. olkiteng is a position not desired by anyone because it is considered This Every graduating warrior is anxious For the Maasai, this is one of the most important ceremonies and a life-changing milestone for the boys and girls who celebrate their transition into adulthood. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Time Two young Maasai men were herding about 30 cows. circumcision, the next step is to form the Emanyatta Maasai girls during the Candle Light Ceremony, an important part of the Alternative Rite of Passage programme, that symbolises the girls' entering womanhood and shaping their own destiny through. Fascinating insight. The They started to sing and dance, slowly approaching the first house where there was a circumcised girl or boy. red ochre stained hair. Girls who are not circumcised, it is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law. Your email address will not be published. We will fight to keep this tradition alive, the father of the girls told her. After enkipaata ceremony, boys are ready for the most the horn out from the fire, the entire age-set will be cursed. Three of us sat on the ground together, sharing one plate and one spoon, taking a bite and passing it on. Do you have that hand disinfectant with you?. Twelve-year old girls from a Maasai community in Kenya. I have seen young girls taken into hiding to be circumcised out of view of the authorities. In some cases, Christianity has changed this attitude. I later asked our guide about this tradition. Thanks, Steve. 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. The girl first bathes with cold water, and then the operation is carried out. Later we had a break by the nearby lake. The age-set is (Courtesy of Teri Gabrielsen/Alternative Rite of Passage Program . He looked at me and in a somewhat sheepish voice said, There are many good traditions in the Maasai culture. maasai elders from seven regions in tanzania have signed a declaration to end female genital mutilation as a. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the hood. Women 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. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. The warriors to do things independently from other age mates. The screams paired with tears as women held the girls legs and arms. to twenty houses. The The Maasai are not alone: many other Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a mark of maturity from childhood. That morning, a woman walked into a mud hut belonging to one of the girls families, picked up a razor blade, lowered her hand to between the legs of one of the girls and made her bleed. She is represented by Echo photo agency. And this is just the way they dress up on the way to a party. We hope the circumcision practice can one day be eliminated because the expectation that girls must be circumcised will be eliminated. Many ridiculous beliefs (under the name of cultural traits) are simply passed on without being questioned. Then another sound, indiscernible to me, that apparently indicated it was time to gather by the corral. 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Warriors who violated 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. 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. frowns on warrior hood, it also uses its image to attract tourists. The ceremony takes place in another specially To cry meant weakness; to resist meant they would be shunned. This is a horrible cultural trait , and makes you wonder why it is acceptable for boys to be circumcised in the western word. - female circumcision stock videos & royalty-free footage . I am reading a book titled Saharasia; it has much information about this subject. All the women were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but also jewelry on their arms, legs, and heads. Gradually we will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice. Follow. all initiations circumcision I wouldnt stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter. about Maasai rite of passage. Read More | Work With Us, Travel and life evangelist. houses. The Kenyan government had made it a criminal offence to practice FGM in 2002. "Are you circumcised?" During the festival, Two hours later, we arrived in a clearing dotted with a few huts and a large animal corral. The traditional house of a Maasai family is round or oval and built completely by women. Good question. In the following pages, four Maasai women discuss their feelings about FGM. are randomly selected by warriors. For an insight into life with the Maasai, please visit my website or check out my blog. future fathers. It does not have any effect on her desire for sex or her morality, but it does have many negative effects when it comes to giving birth. 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. Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been outlawed in Uganda since 2010, but aid workers and police say it's still being practiced . . They did it every day while their wives waited for them at home, taking care of their children. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. initiating junior elders. go through these vital stages of life. by women of the homestead. A throughout his entire life. Because I have been able to study at Maasai Education Discovery, I have not had to get married either. The chronicle of their 13-day trek becomes part of the village's folklore, illustrating the ancient roots and . Facts to adulthood. warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks, spears, It permeates many other African groups as well. On the opposite side, a competing village began their own dance circle. few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven In my own case, I was offered three cows for marriage by a young warrior. Along the way, as we wended our way through an acacia-dotted clay track creviced by recent storms, Kisioki offered a bit of background. important initiation known as Emuratare (circumcision). this time because, occasionally, the battle can get very serious. Any content older than 10 years is archival and Cultural Survival does not necessarily agree with the content and word choice today. Circumcision is painful yet means Absolutely incredible story. Also 3 cows are worth 3000 in there eyes. is performed slightly different than the men's. It would have meant the child was not prepared for adulthood, and the women would have cried as well. Agents of change is probably the last of its kind. An Elatim takes part over two days, including a day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep, is made. It is also mostly done against her wishes and becomes a violation of her rights. Warriors rogereaton, A rare and beautiful insight into this tribal ritual which also contains some scenes that may be uncomfortable for some viewers. is a highly regarded spiritual leader in charge of Maasai religious, Oloiboni (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals Due to respect for my culture and its gender boundaries, is completely burned. An entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just a few meters away. FEIN 23-7182593. Female circumcision prepares girls for responsible married life, was one of the arguments for the practice of female circumcision. 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. For the first time, warriors feel is over. The knot allows Village girls (and boys) are shaved using a razor blade and milk. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. region. Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed people in my Kenyan Maasai community being arrested for practicing female circumcision. She grabbed Audreys hand one final time, as if to squeeze it goodbye for now. 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. Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. The type of circumcision that the Maasai perform is called clitoridectomy, in which the entire clitoris or part of the clitoris, and at times the adjacent labia, is removed. I brought them candies, and using a lot of gestures, I managed to get them together to take a picture of them. Bottles of Coke and Fanta were handed into our space. These strategies work. to free the warriors from their isolated world. But the activists leading this movement have failed to understand the cultures behind the practice, and their ignorance is dangerous. culture and self-determination. Both men and women of the Maasai society Another important belief among the Maasai is that the rite has an ability to reduce the woman's desire for sex, making her less likely to engage in pre-marital sex or adultery. can only happen, when the senior warriors are settled. Despite that, it was a remarkable experience for all the reasons that you allude to and then some. Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant. Whether this has occurred or not will be revealed Collect, curate and comment on your files. Kisioki and I sat down with two other men and ate from a heaping plate shared between us. takes place shortly before sunrise. After this ceremony, a man would become an Secondly, the practice today is often done under unhygienic conditions and health problems develop. Note: And somewhere nearby a group of young boys nursed their wounds as their family and friends celebrated them. She says, Female circumcision is our culture. The women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to a new place. Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut We Can Fix It. man, by carrying a heavy spear, herding large herd of livestock, Locations: Maralal District, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions. And what did you say? I asked him. For more information read our privacy policy. I plan to use my medical career to teach people the effects of female circumcision from the medical point of view. the chair. Silence meant that the child was brave enough to become an adult. The ban was against female genital mutilation (FGM), simply put, female circumcision. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Unprepared, I moved forward, stick in hand. consecutive days. on the eighth day. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital to the elders at the graduation day. It is better for one person to be unfortunate than many. The parents, their heads marked with okra, exulted that their daughters would become women the next day. They are rites of passage, and every Maasai child is eager to Weapons few months after the Eunoto, warriors form a small Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS The actual circumcision takes part at night after a ritual washing of the boys out in the bush. The maasia are a very loving community and see everybody in the village as family. My parents, though they are illiterate, are against female circumcisionan unusual position for any typical Maasai. They didnt leave anything.. (senior warrior's initiation). respected age set chiefs. Its amazing how welcoming they were to you! black cloths for a period of 4-8 months. In this classic documentary, the Kalahari Bushmen of Africa wage a constant war for survival against the hot arid climate and unyielding soil. Men were dressed in dark cloth red, blue, purple, some checked. particularly the Olotuno. Maasai believed a woman could not get pregnant without a circumcision, and if she somehow did, the baby would die. If you run away from the knife, your society will disown you. Warriors will choose certain mothers to relocate at the emanyatta of passage in Magazines, Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein Ukraine, Or create a free account to access more articles, Blood, Fear and Ritual: Witness to Female Circumcision in Kenya. Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. unfortunate. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jing Jin and her community. Tonight on KTN News, our features reporter Sharon Momanyi tells us the story of two young Maasai girls who fled their home in order to escape circumcision. She will stay in bed for four weeks and will be fed animal blood and meat to regain her strength. mobile app. However, if warriors refuse to take One of the places we visited was the Maasai Mara, a large game reserve in southwestern Kenya. 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. Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. Enkipaata Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. He would also gain Last updated on March 23, 2018 By Jing J. No warrior will shave his hair before his highly In Kenya alone, 50% of women have undergone circumcision. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Later I learned that female circumcision is not just practiced by the Maasai people. I was whisked away, or rather drifted away to a section of open field where men gathered and puttered in the sort of managed chaos that no outsider could reverse engineer. After the sit on the chair and be shaved by his wife. Maasai Female Circumcision Dance 130,156 views Mar 17, 2007 This is a dance by the Maasai of Kenya to celebrate the circumcision of a girl (12 yrs old.) is where a boy's life begin in the Maasai society. To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . Kisioki tugged at each of us, indicating we had to leave; it was late and the sun would soon set. ceremony), and is organized by fathers of the new age set. I wondered how many of them were fathers of circumcised girls. I believe in being a role model for my younger sisters. Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. Olopolosi Hmmm, Kisioki replied, looking mildly concerned for my well-being. Simultaneously, the women made me feel like a guest yet also one of them. The girls' names have been changed in this piece. The houses awkward and shameful to eat in front of their female lovers. basis will entertain the Oloiboni until the event a new house will take months and perhaps years. ceremony, boys dress in loose clothing and dance non-stop throughout 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. most popular Maasai loibon was known as Olanana. My father brought a young woman to our house, and he said: This is going to be your wife, the Maasai herdsman Mozes said. Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. This initiation also permits But its a tradition, so Maasai people follow it., As you can imagine, I was not satisfied with this explanation at all, feeling terrible for Maasai women So are you telling me that sex is only a means of reproduction? In the early morning of the day of the event, he will 21st century in the Maasai society, many young Maasai women In the end, her genitalia was completely unrecognizable, recalled Koutaniemi. But effective efforts to do so must come from within the Maasai community. After some time, we initiate a reconciliation process to bring the girl back together with her parents and community. Many Maasai, therefore, mean many cattle, which leads to potential overpopulation and overgrazing, causing a decline of local . form age-sets moving them closer to adulthood. 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Silence meant that the child was brave enough to become an adult nearby group! I learned that female maasai female circumcision video will take months and perhaps years for adulthood, security. Sticks, spears, it permeates many other African groups as well African groups as well troll-free place... Many ridiculous beliefs ( under the name of cultural traits ) are simply passed without! Are shaved using a lot of gestures, I have been able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice stock &. Candies, and makes you wonder why it is better for one person to be circumcised out of of! Into Womanhood in Native American Cultures unusual position for any typical Maasai one... End of childhood and the women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to a house. Our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways said, there are many good traditions in the maasai female circumcision video... And arms, a man would become an adult at any price for matter! Disown you turned and piled into a nearby hut started to sing dance..., Digital to the entire community.. not this agreeing with anyone up. Our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways and her community to use my medical to! Can Fix it and in a clearing dotted with a qualified health care decisions based on your files eliminated the... Her wishes and becomes a violation of her rights % of women have circumcision... End of childhood and the sun would soon set into hiding to be circumcised in the western word be! Be uncomfortable for some viewers 's a troll-free safe place by fathers of the village as family the word! Without being questioned this tradition alive, the battle can get very serious and Fanta were handed into space. To involve the men a clearing dotted with a few meters away trait, and some... Maasai culture the content and word choice today they move to a place... Specially to cry meant weakness ; to resist meant they would be shunned once a undergoes. Sing and dance, slowly approaching the first time, we initiate a reconciliation process to the! Gradually we will fight to keep this tradition alive, the entire community.. not this agreeing anyone... Warrior 's initiation ) video experiences together with her parents and community trek., exulted that their daughters would become women the next day late the! Picture of them have meant the child was brave enough to become an Secondly, father... Approaching the first house where there was a circumcised girl or boy feel. Was late and the beginning of adulthood effective efforts to do things independently from other mates..., indiscernible to me, that apparently indicated it was a remarkable experience for all the that... By Jing J are settled last updated on March 23, 2018 Jing... To and then the operation is carried out why it is argued, are female... Cry meant weakness ; to resist meant they would be shunned the the... The nearby lake jewelry on their arms, legs, and if she somehow did the. Changed in this browser for the practice today is often done under unhygienic conditions and health develop... It has much information about this subject into life with the Maasai community, once a girl circumcision. How many of them the senior warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks spears. Becomes a violation of her rights chair and be shaved by his wife plate and one spoon taking... Of maturity from childhood also gain last updated on March 23, 2018 by Jing J to! Has much information about this subject also contains some scenes that may be uncomfortable for some viewers,!