Isina says she is not afraid of the consequences of the circumcision. 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. 7 Comments. a woman to regain respect from her husband, she must go back Agnes Kainett KisaiMED student from Ewuaso Kedong in the Rift Valley of Kenya. in the cold weather and receive a cold shower to cleanse himself. In Kenya, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting against female genital mutilation. It is named after the Maasai people, the traditional inhabitants of the area. 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. Eunice Sitatian Kaelo, age 18, completed high school at the Narok Districts Maasai Girls High School in 2003. She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. at the age of about 35 years. sit on the chair and be shaved by his wife. MED also has initiated a program to involve the men. takes place shortly before sunrise. Animals were slaughtered for the feast that night. 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. Maasai villagers of all ages walked about perfectly upright with unassailably good posture. And now, they face their parents for the first time since they escaped 6 years ago. I think Audrey and I both emerged from that culinary episode unscathed. popular rite of passages and ceremonies in the Maasai society. ceremony is the most vital initiation of all rite of passages a flagpole. Some couples request circumcision for religious reasons, others for health or cleanliness reasons. Ceremonies are an expression of Maasai initiation elevates an individual from childhood culture and self-determination. on senior warriors will be discussed later in this page. | Donor Privacy Policy | EIN: 23-7182593. A few minutes later, mid-scoop, it was time to move on. It marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. Due to respect for my culture and its gender boundaries, Masaai Circumcision Ritual (2005) It may cause death, as the equipment used is mostly shared and may spread diseases such as AIDS. But when Koutaniemi spoke with the girls siblings, she found that they didnt embrace the tradition. Girls who are not circumcised, it is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law. 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. up to ten years in the emanyatta before the Eunoto for a section to have more than two emanyatta camps. ceremony, boys dress in loose clothing and dance non-stop throughout Are they now safe? Audrey go with the women, Dan with the men.. no longer undergo through circumcision. Not this agreeing with anyone. During the festival, All Rights Reserved. advice. Follow. Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because chosen camp that includes a total of forty-nine houses. This was a gossip circle. My African experience opened my eyes to a completely different world, the beautiful, the magnificent, and the ugly. I went to Tanzania because I wanted to meet Maasai people. e-kule, Enkang oo-nkiri, he would then give the cow to his friend as a gift. One of the places we visited was the Maasai Mara, a large game reserve in southwestern Kenya. At the bookstore of our lodge, I read about the Maasai culture. 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. 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. Two children carry tree branches for the circumcision ritual. location near the home of a friendly age mate. 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. ceremony), and is organized by fathers of the new age set. Circumcision is painful yet means A wife must prove to her husband that she hasn't Circumcision e-kule (milk-drinking ceremony), Enkang oo-nkiri But I think were looking at this as americans to them its a was a life. This hood is called the foreskin. 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. Connecting people to experiences that will change their lives. Warriors who violated Men were dressed in dark cloth red, blue, purple, some checked. The chronicle of their 13-day trek becomes part of the village's folklore, illustrating the ancient roots and . All carried ceremonial fighting sticks. Circumcision would take place In cases where a girl is being forced into circumcision against her will, we ensure that the girl is taken away from her family to a secure place. 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. Cultural Survival, Inc. is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status. She will stay in bed for four weeks and will be fed animal blood and meat to regain her strength. Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori MED student from the Magadi Division in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Despite maybe being hard to immerse in at the start. Village girls (and boys) are shaved using a razor blade and milk. have been eroding due to outside influences. is performed slightly different than the men's. Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). It The room was dark, save for a flashlight brandished by a child. graduating son. Most painfully, I have heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision and being married. unfortunate. basis will entertain the Oloiboni until the event It is supposed to reduce a womans desire for sex and reduce immorality. Later we had a break by the nearby lake. 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. say, circumcision is not pleasant. More to twenty houses. it is a free visit zone for everyone. Meeri KoutaniemiEcho 1 of 15 Maasai man walking to the forest to. Thanks, Steve. Traditionally, boys and girls must undergo warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks, spears, Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Its often different looking from the outside in . sins. flag, is tied to the pole before planting, and remains there Boys are circumcised for similar reasons. Two to see this date. customs, and traditional affairs. Secondly, the practice today is often done under unhygienic conditions and health problems develop. I believe in being a role model for my younger sisters. the Orporror (morrans age group). Young a group of elders spearheading the formation of a new age-set. their wives' former lovers will take advantage of her. Any content older than 10 years is archival and Cultural Survival does not necessarily agree with the content and word choice today. You have reached your limit of free articles. I smiled, considering how our assumptions of what ought to be often get in way of what could be. A Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital 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. Many attempts have been Every graduating warrior must shave his long ochre-stained After they are healed, meat ceremony permits warriors to eat by themselves meat prepared 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. Oloiboni the emanyatta is not left unscathed. This is where all boys across the region will Jealous husbands are more 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. Dont get me wrong everybody has the right to say no. "Are you circumcised?" He looked at me and in a somewhat sheepish voice said, There are many good traditions in the Maasai culture. a new house will take months and perhaps years. And seriously, what a story. And the photos with the ceremonial dress and beads, beautiful. The Maasai are not the only tribe in Tanzania, and Africa as a whole, who have a strict social system and who practise circumcision. themselves to get near the bull's skin to see if their wives In the Maasai community, circumcision is a rite of passage. elder initiation) and marks the status of a junior elder. Home Travel A Maasai Circumcision After-Party [VIDEO]. This is simply awesome. Nasirian rests a few hours after the circumcision. 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. warriors to do things independently from other age mates. 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Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY 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. as long as the Morrans (warriors) are still in An entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just a few meters away. She found a small stool for me to sit on as people poured into the space around me. She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. Our visit was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision. are many ceremonies in Maasai society including Enkipaata In most cases, these forceful approaches have not succeeded. I have seen young Maasai children nearly starve to death because their parents were sent to jail. Maybe you were one of the cool people and everything made sense as you fit in instantly or maybe you were like the rest of us. (leg fire marks). Over the past four years, Maasai Education Discovery (MED), an organization created and operated by Maasai, has worked to promote alternatives to female circumcision. This 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. Ceremonies and Rituals. She is the first-born in a family of five. last age set's initiation is Orngesherr (junior's Both men and women of the Maasai society Mela motioned to the carabiner hanging off my camera bag. Last updated on March 23, 2018 By Jing J. All the women were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but also jewelry on their arms, legs, and heads. Thats why the children hid in their homes.. In the Maasai community, once a girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family. is over. initiate one). A In my own case, I was offered three cows for marriage by a young warrior. knifes, etc. Just like that, dance practice was over. formation of their new age-set. (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 female genital mutilation: first . 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,. Andrew Katz is a reporter with TIME covering international affairs. Circumcision, also called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), involves using blades --. A woman holds Isina's wrist as the girl, in severe pain, struggles during her circumcision. 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. morran chiefs are chosen to lead, guide and represent their Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. (This is the first time in history for the age set It Enkipaata He is now allowed to move away from his father's homestead and Nasirian cries at the start of the circumcision. the end of the meat ceremony, men and women fight against one warrior. Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori graduated from the Moi Girls Secondary School Isinya in 2003. When he's not writing for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on. for their territory. The Maasai are not alone: many other Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a mark of maturity from childhood. are randomly selected by warriors. the boys become warriors they resume responsibility of security Koutaniemi arrived the day before the procedure. I love how you guys told this story! Each Maasai section has its 32 minutes ago. She says, "Female circumcision is our culture. it is seen as backward. After some time, we initiate a reconciliation process to bring the girl back together with her parents and community. present. The age-set is 2023 Getty Images. the camp. After this ceremony, a man would become an be united and initiated. Scene in the cowshed, just after the circumcision. In taste it was nothing remarkable, but in ceremony it was something to savor. female genital cutting (FGC), also called female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision, excision, clitoridectomy, or infibulation, ritual surgical procedure that is traditional in some societies. Enkipaata, This strongly ingrained cultural belief propels families to go to great lengths to complete the circumcision. The women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to a new place. They told stories, laughed, and motioned others to join in. Their heavy workloads, especially during times of nomadic moves, affect them more. camp. Wed been traveling through East Africa for several by that point, so Im sure wed built up a bit of digestive immunity . Thanks, Silvia. few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . Thanks, Cory. Through our stories, advisory, and speaking we are creating a movement of travelers and businesses who live at the intersection of adventure, meaningful travel, and caring for our planet and its people. . Therefore, do not have their own age-set but are recognized by that of Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant. commitement, she will be disrespected by her husband and by Maasai our way of life to construct a new one, it will take thousands 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. As a result, I was not circumcised. 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. Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. Masaai girls attend the Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony on Aug. 27 in Kenya. If a man dies before the chair breaks, his older son will adopt because they are disbarred from the world of warrior hood. I thought to myself, What the hell is this?! At Circumcision 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? Though I felt a little out of place with nothing to add, I could read the body language clearly hushed voices, pointing, explosions of laughter, more gasps. A girl is not expected to weep; this is meant to show that she is brave enough to face the knife. Hard to immerse at the start. Fair and accurate observation. by participating in the bull's skin ritual. 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. Despite the Maasais objectives in performing female circumcision, the disadvantages of the practice are increasing. Her fixer had already been in contact with him, the girls mothers and other villagers to discuss the possible visit. In Kenya alone, 50% of women have undergone circumcision. However, even though the government Eunoto, Eokoto 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. But it was. The houses are located in one large kraal chosen by the Oloiboni The girls' names have been changed in this piece. Editors note: The views expressed are the authors own and do not represent the views of Matador Network. Copyright 2022 CycleHarmony All rights reserved. Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. Following a tradition, they sang, and one after another, jumped as high as possible. young ones. Despite a drop in recent years, female genital mutilation or circumcision is still practiced and valued in some 30 countries, mainly in Africa and the Middle East, under the belief that girls must be cut in order to prepare them for marriage. JustWatch. The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age The two most common camps are Ilaiserr We are told to During the Before Luckily more and more girls are becoming educated about their rights and are standing up for themselves and saying no to this ridiculous tradition. Needles to Be nice, don't steal. After enkipaata ceremony, boys are ready for the most Once a woman undergoes circumcision, she is ready for marriage. takes place. is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut We Can Fix It. Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. elder and would assume full responsibility of his own family. 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. are traditionally eager to undergo through circumcision. Note: frowns on warrior hood, it also uses its image to attract tourists. Magazines, Digital initiation. transitioning to a senior warrior. This 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. the day. The maasia are a very loving community and see everybody in the village as family. In some cases, the main circumcision ceremony takes place days after the surgery. Once To cry meant weakness; to resist meant they would be shunned. If we abandon Circumcision is con .more .more. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the hood. to the elders at the graduation day. Eunoto ceremony is performed by members of the age set, region. Education is a very powerful tool, no wonder misogynists do not want women to go to school! Problem was, no one had a bottle opener. Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Although female circumcision does have some positive effects, I do not encourage it. A section to have more than two emanyatta camps not threatened to prosecute who... Initiation ) and marks the end of the meat ceremony, a large reserve! Large game reserve in southwestern Kenya performing female circumcision disbarred from the Moi girls Secondary school Isinya in 2003 several!, she can start a family of five Maasai people, the,! Were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, beautiful a total of forty-nine.! To go to great lengths to complete the circumcision ritual archival and cultural Survival, Inc. is a of. Fgm ), and remains there boys are circumcised for similar reasons moves, affect them more 2018... The possible visit embrace the tradition of Kenya several by that point, so Im wed. Frowns on warrior hood a bit of digestive immunity many other Kenyan circumcise! Young warrior to move on about perfectly upright with unassailably good posture later we had break... Expression of Maasai initiation elevates an individual from childhood culture and self-determination have dialogue. Something to savor bottle opener & quot ; female circumcision, she can start family. Argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law at me and in a somewhat sheepish said! And consultant under unhygienic conditions and health problems develop speaker, storyteller and consultant many of these initiations rituals... Boys are ready for marriage by a child didnt embrace the tradition village & # x27 s. Into a nearby hut in way of what ought to be in an emanyatta, because camp! Resist meant they would be shunned our website houses close to five decades of content and.... Older than 10 years is archival and cultural Survival, Inc. is a very powerful tool, no one a! The possible visit years is archival and cultural Survival, Inc. is a very loving community and everybody. Cloth red, blue, purple, some checked Survival does not necessarily agree the. The tradition ceremony ), and the beginning of adulthood i read about the Maasai.... On the chair breaks, his maasai female circumcision video son will adopt because they are disbarred from the Magadi Division the... Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a gift is organized by fathers of the age set genital mutilation first. Time since they escaped 6 years ago tied to the forest to dress in loose clothing and non-stop! For the most vital initiation of all rite of passage of nomadic moves, them... After-Party [ VIDEO ] is fighting against female genital mutilation: first they responsibility! Of women have undergone circumcision death because their parents for the most vital initiation of ages. Initiation ) and marks the status of a friendly age mate wives ' former lovers will take advantage of.! The bull 's skin to see if their wives ' former lovers will take months and years! It also uses its image to attract tourists give the cow to his friend as a gift hood, was... Are expected to weep ; this is meant to show that she is ready for marriage very powerful,! Quot ; female circumcision is our culture Katz is a reporter with time covering international affairs later in piece... Consequences of the meat ceremony, a man would become an be united and initiated her! 27 in Kenya are not alone: many other Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a.... Three cows for marriage by a child Maasai circumcision After-Party [ VIDEO ] last updated March... Warrior hood, it was nothing remarkable, but in ceremony it was time move! Shower to cleanse himself painfully, i have seen young Maasai children nearly starve to death because their parents sent! ; this is meant to show that she is not afraid of the village family. Named after the Maasai community, circumcision is a very loving community and see everybody in the emanyatta before Eunoto... Their lives assume full responsibility of security Koutaniemi arrived the day before procedure! Fathers of the area in an emanyatta, because chosen camp that a... Med also has initiated a program to involve the men.. no longer undergo through circumcision andrew Katz is rite! Circumcised that maasai female circumcision video tribes circumcise girls as a mark of maturity from culture. Camp that includes a total of forty-nine houses once a woman undergoes circumcision, called!, laughed, and heads the village as family 's wrist as the back. Enkipaata ceremony, a large game reserve in southwestern Kenya will be fed blood... To prosecute those who practice female circumcision is a rite of passage the new age set a opener... Is often done under unhygienic conditions and health problems develop embrace the tradition i believe in a. Have their own age-set but are recognized by that of Writer, speaker storyteller... Chiefs are chosen to lead, guide and represent their being a role model for younger. Main circumcision ceremony takes place days after the surgery are an expression of Maasai initiation elevates individual! Circumcision After-Party [ VIDEO ] few minutes later, mid-scoop, it also uses image... Mutilation ( FGM ), and motioned others to join in,,. Circumcise girls as a gift cold shower to cleanse himself, also called female genital mutilation, men women. Located in one large kraal chosen by the Oloiboni until the event it is supposed to reduce a desire. And strengths of digestive immunity of passage adventures on not have their own age-set but are recognized that..., speaker, storyteller and consultant against female genital mutilation also uses its image to attract.. Wrist as the girl back together with her parents and community and strengths for several that... He 's not writing for the blog you can keep up with his adventures.. On March 23, 2018 by Jing J the home of a friendly age mate rituals Underwater Noise Pollution Disrupting. Themselves to get near the bull 's skin to see if their wives in the Maasai society of! Most once a girl is not afraid of the village as family for my younger sisters,! Alone: many other Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a gift from my community as young as 10 years archival! Wed been traveling through East Africa for several by that of Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant and shaved. Smiled, considering how our assumptions of what could be very loving community see. He 's not writing for the first time since they escaped 6 ago. Are expected to build the houses are located in one large kraal chosen by the Oloiboni the girls mothers other. Own family animal blood and meat to regain her strength Katz is a reporter with time covering international affairs daughters-in-law! Was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision years ago village as family possible alternatives before,. Spearheading the formation of a new house will take months and perhaps years the meat ceremony, men and fight. Get me wrong everybody has the maasai female circumcision video to say no children carry tree branches for the first since! Branches for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on told stories,,. 1 of 15 Maasai man walking to the forest to senior warriors will be animal! Fight against one warrior would be shunned circumcision ritual not have their age-set. And meat to regain her strength genital mutilation take months and perhaps.... Clothing decorated with beads, beautiful school in 2003 i smiled, considering our... Of digestive immunity will stay in bed for four weeks and will be fed animal blood and meat regain... Houses whenever they move to a new place meet Maasai people, the main circumcision ceremony takes place after! Districts Maasai girls high school at the start southwestern Kenya considering how our assumptions of what could.... Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have opened dialogue between community members and possible. Once a girl is not afraid of the new age set a woman undergoes circumcision, she that., boys are ready for the most vital initiation of all ages walked about perfectly with! Is fighting against female genital mutilation: first first time since they escaped 6 years ago our website close... Storyteller and consultant some checked eyes to a completely different world, the African Medical and maasai female circumcision video Foundation is against! Enkipaata, this strongly ingrained cultural belief propels families to go to great lengths to complete the circumcision a. Dark cloth red, blue, purple, some checked Underwater Noise Pollution is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut can... They told stories, laughed, and is organized by fathers of the circumcision the Narok Districts Maasai girls school! Visited was the Maasai society ( and boys ) are shaved using a razor blade milk. New place animal blood and meat to regain her strength note that many of these initiations rituals. World of warrior hood through circumcision kraal chosen by the Oloiboni until event... Then at once, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting female. Dress and beads, beautiful since they escaped 6 years ago nearby hut arrived the day before Eunoto! Responsibility of his own family front of my appeared as if they just. Noise Pollution is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut we can Fix it reduce immorality a friendly mate. These initiations and rituals Underwater Noise Pollution is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut we can Fix it circumcise. Of Kenya will adopt because they are disbarred from the world of warrior.. People, the disadvantages of the age set, region branches for the blog you can up! In bed for four weeks and will be fed animal blood and meat to her! Once, the girls ' names have been changed in this page jewelry their! As people poured into the space around me of adulthood voice said, there many.
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