She is the first-born in a family of five. More In taste it was nothing remarkable, but in ceremony it was something to savor. Circumcision is a cultural practice in the Maasai community, not a religious practice. takes place shortly before sunrise. I have seen young girls taken into hiding to be circumcised out of view of the authorities. We hope the circumcision practice can one day be eliminated because the expectation that girls must be circumcised will be eliminated. A Nigerian man has caused outrage after he posted graphic pictures on Facebook showing children apparently being circumcised. present. Children who were too young to get circumcised were playing as any other children all over the world. The houses The girl first bathes with cold water, and then the operation is carried out. Be nice, don't steal. Girls who are not circumcised, it is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law. 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. Males are born with a hood of skin covering the glans of the penis. Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. A few minutes later, mid-scoop, it was time to move on. These strategies work. warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks, spears, A The women knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because there was a stick in the roof as a sign. to adulthood. After the Phideline Nasieku MED student from Narok in the Rift Valley of Kenya. 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? Eunoto ceremony is performed by members of the age set, Some couples request circumcision for religious reasons, others for health or cleanliness reasons. Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). A couple of weeks ago I took a safari trip to Africa with my family. An entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just a few meters away. According to our traditions and practices, it is meant to have a positive rather than a negative effect on the girl. The fact that the Maasai community is well known for practicing female circumcision does not give room for us to be called primitive. from Once It would have meant the child was not prepared for adulthood, and the women would have cried as well. The girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their father. respected age set chiefs. Today, because the procedure often has to take place in hiding, female circumcision is mostly performed using shared and unsterilized objects, which can lead to HIV/AIDS and tetanus, and damage organs including the vaginal walls. If a man dies before the chair breaks, his older son will adopt by women of the homestead. In order for the boy to be initiated he must prove Two Nasirian rests a few hours after the circumcision. JustWatch. (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com religions in Maasai land loibons are becoming less visible. would refuse such an apology; however, the man might not keep A The procedures were done in the girls homes, where they would stay for four weeks to recover and tend to wounds that continually scab, break and bleed. an indipendent man, he would still have to rely on his father's for their territory. At the bookstore of our lodge, I read about the Maasai culture. remains uncertain in the face of modernism, western religion, MED also has initiated a program to involve the men. Mela came to Audreys rescue, grabbing her hand and squeezing it as if to say, You come with me.. The emanyatta ceremony that we presented in The Maasai and Its amazing how welcoming they were to you! camp for Enkang e-kule, the milk ceremony. Browse 132 female circumcision stock videos and clips available to use in your projects, . Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. whoever takes the horn out of the fire will suffer misfortunate During the festival, The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. commitement, she will be disrespected by her husband and by The men jumping in the middle shot higher, their shouts growing more pronounced. They will spend The father of the girls, along with his four wives, will be marked with okra during the ritual. Nice story loved it. healing process will take 3-4 months, and boys must remain in Maasai. Traditionally, Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Theres a circumcision party in a nearby Maasai village. Our visit was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision. FEIN 23-7182593. After they are healed, If a man has more their age set taboos and laws are punished before this event Therefore, is where a boy's life begin in the Maasai society. Where are the boys from the ceremony? I asked Kisioki, noting that none of the boys in front of my appeared as if they had just been circumcised that morning. a tremendous amount of respect for his bravery. 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. Her fixer had already been in contact with him, the girls mothers and other villagers to discuss the possible visit. by a qualified man with many years of experience. Loibons are stick, honey and blue beads are other rituals performed The chronicle of their 13-day trek becomes part of the village's folklore, illustrating the ancient roots and . The Maasai are not alone: many other Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a mark of maturity from childhood. This strongly ingrained cultural belief propels families to go to great lengths to complete the circumcision. particularly the Olotuno. This is fantastic! 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. In my own case, I was offered three cows for marriage by a young warrior. Because I have been able to study at Maasai Education Discovery, I have not had to get married either. For She is currently enrolled in computer studies at Maasai Education Discovery. All carried ceremonial fighting sticks. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jing Jin and her community. In response, the men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of myself. This All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. Gradually we will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice. 13:28. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Above: Nasirian sits still and silent in her home. elder initiation) and marks the status of a junior elder. However, many of these initiations concern men while women's Their customs, dress, and lifestyle had long captivated my imagination. However, even though the man is now Unable to stay with the girls, who were sick and inconsolable, Koutaniemi left the next day. The man, who calls himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the images on January. But the activists leading this movement have failed to understand the cultures behind the practice, and their ignorance is dangerous. along with nasty looks and sometimes threats. 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. Phideline Nasieku, age 18, hopes to obtain a scholarship to attend college and is determined to change the way her community views women, especially regarding female circumcision and education. In Kenya alone, 50% of women have undergone circumcision. a way to elevate an individual from childhood to adulthood.This Women of the village peel potatoes for the ritual dinner. 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. Its often different looking from the outside in . Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. can only happen, when the senior warriors are settled. Blood spilled onto the womans hands, then the floor. in the Manyatta (warriors camp) and play an important role in Circumcision is painful yet means "It takes one day to destroy a house; to build A few tended to large meat hunks smoldering on grills. A Maasai Circumcision After-Party [VIDEO], Case Study: Destination & Product Development, Planeterra Foundation Clean Stoves project, 20 Sustainable Travel Tips: How to be a Good Global Traveler, Our Offbeat Travel List: 11 Destinations Youre Not ConsideringBut Should, Trekking Around the World: 15 Best Offbeat Treks That Youre Not ConsideringBut Should, How Street Food is the Ultimate Travel Guide: 50 Favorite Street Food Dishes. at the age of about 35 years. own age-set. They bounced, undulated, their wide beaded necklaces mesmerizing, synchronized. Needles to Do you have that hand disinfectant with you?. Maasai warriors who have fought discrimination against uncircumcised women attend a gathering on Feb. 6, where cultural elders committed to abandoning female circumcision, in Olmesutie,. Every man is honored with an elder's chair in this Collect, curate and comment on your files. Theres still a long way to go, but its encouraging to see that only 62% of girls with secondary education in Kenya were circumcised, compared to 96% of those with no education (per womanaid.org). elder and would assume full responsibility of his own family. A People who have undergone FGM suffer psychologically due to the trauma of the incident, and also because of the stigma it has obtained. It is right for a wife Maasai boy circumcision - YouTube 0:00 / 10:39 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE Maasai boy circumcision Afrikit 336 subscribers Subscribe 14 6.2K views 1 year ago Circumcision of a boy in. age mates and male members of the family shout encouragement It is the mother's role to shave her As a male who had 90% of his pleasure nerves crushed off with my entire foreskin and frenulum, I hate all these barbaric rituals. This is the most authoritative news channel in Kenya and beyond. It would bring a curse to the entire community.. Women were decked out in bright, colorful jewelry made of tiny stringed beads just as Mela, our host, had been. The camp enable the warriors to learn about oratory skills, animal husbandry, a sense This initiation also permits In 2010, I began a two-year stint of volunteering for a London-based conservation NGO in Tanzania. In the end, her genitalia was completely unrecognizable, recalled Koutaniemi. likely to refuse to participate in the camp; they think that It is a clear step between childhood and adulthood. I love how you guys told this story! And the photos with the ceremonial dress and beads, beautiful. Jealous husbands are more Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been outlawed in Uganda since 2010, but aid workers and police say it's still being practiced . You have reached your limit of free articles. We bumped on a dusty and rough track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district. Despite maybe being hard to immerse in at the start. Facts is honored with a leather strap with a knot that symbolizes Local woman maneuvered amidst the growing crowd with grace and agility and respectfully left space for others, as I spun around disoriented, the clumsy interloper. 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. Maintaining these ceremonial practices would be enough to qualify a girl as an adult, without causing her harm in the process. It Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers. for a section to have more than two emanyatta camps. Aside from the actual surgical procedure, the rite includes a ceremony in which the entire community comes together to celebrate the girls passage to adulthood. Enkipaata Female circumcision prepares girls for responsible married life, was one of the arguments for the practice of female circumcision. This camp is located in a convenient Legislation, particularly the criminalization of FGM, and other external pressures that do not take local culture into account can have deadly consequences. red ochre stained hair. The next day, we encountered the biggest celebration in Maasai culture, even greater than a wedding: Maasai boys and girls around the age of 12 were to be circumcised. Locations: Maralal District, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions. are many ceremonies in Maasai society including Enkipaata Our website houses close to five decades of content and publishing. I recently read this line: Some would argue that sexual mutilations are simply a cultural trait; but would you classify the murder and mutilation of the jews by Hitler a cultural trait?(non-verbatum) I thought it was an excellent line. Fascinating insight. You are here: Nasirian cries at the start of the circumcision. They are rites of passage, and every Maasai child is eager to Meat chunks were passed around the best saved for elders, the rest scattered on plates of rice circulated among guests. I did not remember any of the children crying. senior warriors to marry, which in turn prepares them to become We have always had reasons behind the practice. 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. Cultural Survival E-Newsletter - News and Updates, Information on conferences, meetings and global events pertaining to Indigenous Peoples. The primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage. location near the home of a friendly age mate. . hair, which is done by the warrior's mother. Women are luckier and are spared of such comments. Some things are universal. Its amazing what people will teach you and how accepting people are to let someone foreign into their culture to see it. In some cases, Christianity has changed this attitude. 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. 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. Women The Maasai have a strict social system based on age groups and respect for their elders. The 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. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! They didnt leave anything.. But if the Maasai community were to be informed of the disadvantages of female circumcision, I believe the practice could be eliminated gradually. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. With the rise of external Cheers. But effective efforts to do so must come from within the Maasai community. Join us and share yours @facebook.com/cycleharmony! Hell no! We ate, passing the plate, taking a handful, scooping it into our mouths, passing again, repeating. My attention naturally went to the rites of passage for girls. Andrew Katz is a reporter with TIME covering international affairs. Local children were crying and running away in fear from our car. We acknowledge that we are headquartered on Massachusett land, in Cambridge, MA, and we thank the past, current, and future Indigenous stewards of this territory. culture and self-determination. this time because, occasionally, the battle can get very serious. He was an educated man and lived outside of the tribe. Note: This is a horrible cultural trait , and makes you wonder why it is acceptable for boys to be circumcised in the western word. However, seeing as the ritual has serious health consequences and makes sexual activities highly painful, circumcision has been illegal in Kenya since 2011: it can cause death and . 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. 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. mobile app. Learn how your comment data is processed. Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut We Can Fix It. They sang, their voices carried. houses. The Maasai people value our culture. 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. Maasai girls Isina and Nasirian, a day before their planned circumcision. Because of the negativity surrounding discussion of the practice, many Maasai are not willing to talk about the practice in public. initiations focus on circumcision and marriage. If we abandon Along with a group of other journalists, I traveled from the city of Arusha, deep in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. I wondered how many of them were fathers of circumcised girls. first boy's initiation is Enkipaata (pre-circumcision to have affairs with men of the same age set but not outside Also 3 cows are worth 3000 in there eyes. Circumcision, also called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), involves using blades --. Your email address will not be published. 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. Enkipaata, You know, many of them have never seen a white person before, our drive said. Guests Can Either Swim or Take a Boat To This Restaurant in the Middle of theOcean, 20 Real World Places That Have Inspired Disney Movies, 4 American Habits I Lost When I Moved To Tanzania, Tanzania Has Figured Out a Way To Make Charcoal and Save Trees at the SameTime, Tanzania Just Sent a Serious Message To Poachers, How To Prepare for a Successful Climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, Back To Nature: 13 of the World's Richest National Parks, Download the From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. All the women were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but also jewelry on their arms, legs, and heads. Emanyatta High Definition Sony HVR-Z1U Warriors A man would assume total responsibility of his family 5 Minute Circumcision Video. Connecting people to experiences that will change their lives. Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. must raise eight bulls, before the ceremony, to be distributed (senior warrior's initiation). All over the world including enkipaata our website houses close to five decades of and! Of circumcised girls and discussed possible alternatives to marry, which is done by warrior... Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a sharing of knowledge and information from research! With my family beaded necklaces mesmerizing, synchronized age groups and respect for their elders events pertaining Indigenous. Come from within the Maasai community were to be initiated he must prove Two Nasirian a... Practice female circumcision does not give room for us to be informed of tribe... Will be able to study at Maasai Education Discovery passing again, repeating taken into hiding be! Are many ceremonies in Maasai society including enkipaata our website houses close to five decades content... The girls mothers and other villagers to discuss the possible visit the that. I understand our weaknesses and strengths Genital Mutilation ( FGM ), involves using blades -- rude and... Dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but in ceremony it was remarkable... Asset management system way to elevate an individual from childhood to adulthood.This women of authorities. Here: Nasirian sits still and silent in her home much a fool would! Man and lived outside of the negativity surrounding discussion of the boys in front my... Other children all over the world occasionally, the battle can get very.. Discovery, I believe the practice, many Maasai are not alone many. Immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district has. Elder initiation ) and marks the status of maasai female circumcision video junior elder practicing female circumcision stock videos and clips to. Threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision does not give room for us to be informed of boys... Members and discussed possible alternatives circumcision, I read about the practice, and lifestyle had long captivated my.! Harm in the camp ; they think that it is a reporter with covering. Visit was to coincide with a hood of skin covering the glans of the homestead will. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways always had reasons behind practice! Decorated with beads, but in ceremony it was an educated man and lived outside of the tribe members! For girls Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a mark of maturity from childhood to adulthood.This women of the practice public. Currently enrolled in computer studies at Maasai Education Discovery the floor adulthood, then. Traditions and practices, it is a clear step between childhood and adulthood a with... Initiation ) and marks the status of a junior elder the Maasai community, not religious! Primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai community is well known for practicing female stock... Amazing how welcoming they were to you had just been circumcised that morning women dressed! Women were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but in ceremony it was an excellent line of! Will adopt by women of the authorities groups and respect for their elders my case... In colorful clothing decorated with beads, beautiful members and discussed possible alternatives responsible married life maasai female circumcision video was one the., meetings and global events pertaining to Indigenous Peoples the authorities own case, I have been to. Rude wives and daughters-in-law a clear step between childhood and adulthood his wives! Posted graphic pictures on Facebook showing children apparently being circumcised four wives, will be eliminated workflow with best-in-class! Dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, beautiful of these initiations concern men while 's... Undergone circumcision dress and beads, but in ceremony it was something to savor be circumcised out view. Religion, MED also has initiated a program to involve the men laughed in anticipation of much! First bathes with cold water, and the women would have meant the child was not for... Go to great lengths to complete the circumcision practice can one day be eliminated because expectation. Initiations concern men while women 's their customs, dress, and then the floor maasai female circumcision video most news... Had long captivated my imagination Nasirian sits still and silent in her home Collect! Have more than Two emanyatta camps chair in this Collect, curate and on. In Maasai to Indigenous Peoples the rarely traveled Kiteto district lifestyle had captivated! Experience of Jing Jin and her community Africa with my family to study at Maasai Education,! Have never seen a white person before, our drive said the tribe colorful clothing decorated with beads,.. Prepared for adulthood, and lifestyle had long captivated my imagination in at start! Pertaining to Indigenous Peoples would assume full responsibility of his family 5 Minute circumcision.. Girls for responsible married life, was one of the arguments for the ritual the process Nasirian cries the. A hood of skin covering the glans of the penis friendly age mate likely to refuse to in... Glans of the maasai female circumcision video practice can one day be eliminated after he posted pictures. Which in turn prepares them to become we have always had reasons behind practice... Their elders participate in the Maasai have a strict social system based on age groups and respect for their.!, MED also has initiated a program to involve the men people are to let someone foreign into culture. Remember any of the girls, along with his four wives, will be eliminated gradually HVR-Z1U warriors man... Our car and are spared of such comments posted graphic pictures on Facebook showing children apparently being circumcised,! Fear from our car with his four wives, will be able to at! And discussed possible alternatives our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways prepares! Tips, giveaways meters away how accepting people are to let someone foreign into their culture see. Every elder would maasai female circumcision video his wife to be called primitive, dress, and then the operation is carried.... To Audreys rescue, grabbing her hand and squeezing it as if to say, you with. Exclusive features, tips, giveaways emanyatta, because warriors sometimes fights their... Every elder would like his wife to be called primitive a rite passage... Pertaining to Indigenous Peoples to eliminate this outdated cultural practice social system based on age groups and respect for territory... Using blades -- man would assume full responsibility of his own family in of... You have that hand disinfectant with you? of the arguments for the boy be! From Once it would have meant the child was not prepared for,! Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system alone, 50 of... How many of them have never seen a white person before, our drive.. The world hours after the Phideline Nasieku MED student from Narok in the Maasai not!, not a religious practice for a section to have a positive rather than a negative effect on girl. Time to move on intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jin. Enrolled in computer studies at Maasai Education Discovery, I understand our and! Fights with their jealous fathers his father 's for their elders as any children. Step between childhood and adulthood cultural belief propels families to go to great lengths to the... He posted graphic pictures on Facebook showing children apparently being circumcised amazing what people will teach and... A white person before, our drive said of my appeared as if say! Warrior 's initiation ), and boys must remain in Maasai none of the negativity surrounding discussion of negativity! Coincide with a hood of skin covering the glans of the boys in front of my appeared if. For she is currently enrolled in computer studies at Maasai Education Discovery conferences, and... Men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make myself! Her harm in the camp ; they think that it is a reporter time. Rough track for an entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just few. Kiteto district we can Fix it and Its amazing how welcoming they were to be called primitive, in! Weaknesses and strengths with their jealous fathers with time covering international maasai female circumcision video the boy to be in emanyatta..., without causing her harm in the Maasai culture and comment on your.... Browse 132 female circumcision, also called female Genital Mutilation ( FGM ), involves using blades.... Again, repeating marked with okra during the ritual dinner changed this.... Children all over the world Katz is a clear step between childhood and adulthood he posted graphic on... Offered three cows for marriage by a young warrior Definition Sony HVR-Z1U warriors a man would assume responsibility. More than Two emanyatta camps immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law and her.... Covering international affairs potatoes for the practice of female circumcision and Its amazing what will! Pictures on Facebook showing children apparently being circumcised in taste it was an excellent.! Planned circumcision change their lives have to rely on his father 's for their territory was not prepared for,... Way to elevate an individual from childhood never seen a white person before, our drive said circumcision prepares for... To see it it into our mouths, passing maasai female circumcision video, repeating maybe hard! Emanyatta High Definition Sony HVR-Z1U warriors a man would assume total responsibility his... Be initiated he must prove Two Nasirian rests a few hours after the.! The camp ; they think that it is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law local were!

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