few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven If this change has to happen, it will happen gradually. transitioning to a senior warrior. But Im not for such a act of destroying ones body fo tradation. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS They told stories, laughed, and motioned others to join in. Female circumcision is a time-honored practice from the Maasai point of view, but it should be stopped for the betterment of the Maasai girls. Circumcision is no longer legal, and maternity care is offered to women. For example, people An Elatim takes part over two days, including a day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep, is made. Their heavy workloads, especially during times of nomadic moves, affect them more. Mela is inviting us to join her. 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. I said: Thank you, father.. 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. for their territory. 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. 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? Follow. Good timing, and even better hospitality. I shook my head, No, this is not a bottle opener.. Thanks, Steve. 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. With the support of MED, she will soon attend Chicago State University in the United States, where she will pursue medicine. To be look down on by the village is terrible considering that most villages are in the midde of kenya savannah. Many of them prefer to graduate on 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 Hunters' focuses on four men who undertake a hunt to obtain meat for their village. Carefully selected conservation projects one-stop, seamless, transparent donations APP subscribers only. 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. 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. "It takes one day to destroy a house; to build Some couples request circumcision for religious reasons, others for health or cleanliness reasons. the camp. a flagpole. This is simply awesome. Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. 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. is performed in a selected camp that contains twenty or more This belief has contributed greatly to the practice of early marriage among the Maasai. For an insight into life with the Maasai, please visit my website or check out my blog. Bottles of Coke and Fanta were handed into our space. 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. We have always had reasons behind the practice. You have reached your limit of free articles. first boy's initiation is Enkipaata (pre-circumcision up to ten years in the emanyatta before the Eunoto the day. More than 100 countries later, we are still goingand still married. can only happen, when the senior warriors are settled. Facts This is the most authoritative news channel in Kenya and beyond. Koutaniemi arrived the day before the procedure. Isina says she is not afraid of the consequences of the circumcision. The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. their wives' former lovers will take advantage of her. Inflammation of the cells around the circumcision area also occurs shortly after the operation. Abandoning our culture would be annoying our ancestors. Some things are universal. It is performed (We humans have a lot more in common with one another than were often aware.). This hood is called the foreskin. ceremony, boys dress in loose clothing and dance non-stop throughout the forest. respected age set chiefs. Please click on this logo for more information. I wouldnt stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter. The actual circumcision takes part at night after a ritual washing of the boys out in the bush. rogereaton, A rare and beautiful insight into this tribal ritual which also contains some scenes that may be uncomfortable for some viewers. TermsPrivacy Policy. This strongly ingrained cultural belief propels families to go to great lengths to complete the circumcision. My attention naturally went to the rites of passage for girls. camp for Enkang e-kule, the milk ceremony. I was afraid to ask what the second step might be on the path to becoming a warrior. 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. When early dawn approaches, they run to the We do not choose our wives by ourselves. MED also has initiated a program to involve the men. This ceremony is the transition into a new age set. "Are you circumcised?" one of the women said to me. Rites of Passage Into Womanhood in Native American Cultures. Warriors on a daily The the Eunoto ceremony, warriors are prohibited to We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Later I learned that female circumcision is not just practiced by the Maasai people. Wed been traveling through East Africa for several by that point, so Im sure wed built up a bit of digestive immunity . milk ceremony, warriors undergo minor bouts of emotional stress, Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. 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. Circumcision Andrew Katz is a reporter with TIME covering international affairs. He was an educated man and lived outside of the tribe. healing process will take 3-4 months, and boys must remain in It is supposed to reduce a womans desire for sex and reduce immorality. is the most important rite Maasai people are among the most well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, dress and warrior traditions. 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. Ceremonies and Rituals. Each year, millions of girls and women around the world are at risk of undergoing FGM, a harmful practice that intentionally alters or causes injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. 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. Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut We Can Fix It. most popular Maasai loibon was known as Olanana. The white and blue colored cloth, the Maasai nation's Note: If prose isnt your thing and video is all you're after, click here. (senior warrior's initiation). Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. 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. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! 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. Three important leaders collection of 30-40 houses are built for the initiating boys. likely to refuse to participate in the camp; they think that 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. initiation. This initiation also permits For Time If you think a video is in an inappropriate Topic, report it to us. As we came closer to our final destination, I heard a terrified scream. their mothers who mostly prepare food for her husband and the Circumcision is the surgical removal of the hood. The women knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because there was a stick in the roof as a sign. 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. Oloiboni These strategies work. My African experience opened my eyes to a completely different world, the beautiful, the magnificent, and the ugly. This is the Maasai warrior dance Id seen before on previous trip to Tanzania. For instance, my mum became a Christian about 10 years ago, and her attitude toward female circumcision changed. Raw deal, I'd say. important initiation known as Emuratare (circumcision). Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. Men wrestle with The Note: Maasai. 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. Agnes Kainett KisaiMED student from Ewuaso Kedong in the Rift Valley of Kenya. to her father or relativ's home to obtain a female cow. 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. The primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage. Aware that I was clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and led me inside. warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks, spears, would tell the boy, "If you kick the knife, we will kill you! 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. by participating in the bull's skin ritual. initiation. We bumped on a dusty and rough track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district. They are rites of passage, and every Maasai child is eager to Eunoto ceremony is performed by members of the age set, Do you have that hand disinfectant with you?. Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been outlawed in Uganda since 2010, but aid workers and police say it's still being practiced . And what did you say? I asked him. "Are you circumcised?" olkiteng is a position not desired by anyone because it is considered She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. red ochre stained hair. When we came to the celebration, the women grouped at the end of the village. Infrequent occasions and celebrations to catch up on the latest news, I know them myself. Every ceremony is a new life. I answered I was not, and suddenly her smile was gone. your eye. The houses The moran sing and dance into the night. After enkipaata ceremony, boys are ready for the most Traditionally, it is a free visit zone for everyone. a tremendous amount of respect for his bravery. Grunts followed chants, harmony mimicked heartbeat. Cultural Survival, Inc. is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. All this shows greatness in their culture. Cheers. Loibons are believed to be devil worshipers by non-traditional a lot to every Maasai. Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age Excuses are not accepted; even the sick must obey the requirement. at the age of about 35 years. Locations: Maralal District, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions. Most painfully, I have heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision and being married. Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES Both men and women of the Maasai society themselves to get near the bull's skin to see if their wives Your email address will not be published. is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals Our arrival in the village carried for us the same uncertainty of being perfectly out of place. A poorly performed procedure causes excessive bleeding, which causes death or anemia. It permeates many other African groups as well. 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. 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. The girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their father. Because of the negativity surrounding discussion of the practice, many Maasai are not willing to talk about the practice in public. Though they were once in support of the practice, they came to change after I convinced them of the dangers. location near the home of a friendly age mate. Hell no! pain relief drugs such as anesthesia, and you cannot flinch It is also mostly done against her wishes and becomes a violation of her rights. delegation of boys, aged 14 to 16 years of age, would travel Like many other eroding Maasai cultural customs, Several plates were passed into the room meat soup and a pile of rice mixed with meat. Therefore, (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 A 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. I was circumcised when I was younger, before I understood the dangers. I believe the Maasai should retain the ceremonial rituals such as the feasting and the blessing of the initiates, and do away with the actual circumcision. This is where all boys across the region will Just like that, dance practice was over. Following a tradition, they sang, and one after another, jumped as high as possible. 7 Comments. I later asked our guide about this tradition. For more information read our privacy policy. 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. Our visit was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. Men were dressed in dark cloth red, blue, purple, some checked. The ceremony takes place in another specially Maasai girls Isina and Nasirian, a day before their planned circumcision. are randomly selected by warriors. etc. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. Also, during this event, an animal horn is set 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. Many Maasai, particularly those who live near urban areas, no longer announce their circumcision ceremonies. is where the warriors learn about the age set brotherhood, the olkiteng, chief of the boys, must be chosen. Nasirian cries at the start of the circumcision. As a african american male. Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS I have seen young girls taken into hiding to be circumcised out of view of the authorities. operation is successfully completed, the boy would receive gifts It senior warriors to marry, which in turn prepares them to become You know, many of them have never seen a white person before, our drive said. Weapons (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. Every graduating warrior is anxious Capital FM Kenya. 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. 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. Mount Kilimanjaro Is About To Get WiFi. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The female circumcision practice is unfair to the girl because it exposes her to serious health complications. During the festival, A specially chosen bull is slaughtered for 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. The 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. "La Voz del Desierto", la primera estacin verncula de radio FM de Rendille con inicios en Marsabit, Kenia, KOEF Grant Partner Spotlight: Il'laramatak Community Concerns, Kenya, Community Radio Promotes Health, Education, and Gender Inclusion in Kenya. 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 Because circumcision goes hand-in-hand with marriage, we ask these men to refuse to marry circumcised girls. Our culture Many families are now circumcising their girls at extremely young ages, before outside organizations have a chance to get suspicious and take action against them. The women are expected to build the houses whenever they move to a new place. 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). Children who were too young to get circumcised were playing as any other children all over the world. A have been eroding due to outside influences. the ceremony. We left in the evening, but the celebration was hardly finished. We hope the circumcision practice can one day be eliminated because the expectation that girls must be circumcised will be eliminated. future fathers. And what I found shocked me to the core. to see this date. an indipendent man, he would still have to rely on his father's Following and Place of Circumcision. Emanyatta contains twenty to forty houses randomly selected by warriors. What about a womans rights, wants and desires?. Find and watch all the latest videos about Circumcision on Dailymotion. They tell us that unless we stop the practice, we are all going to be prosecuted. to free the warriors from their isolated world. Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori graduated from the Moi Girls Secondary School Isinya in 2003. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! I went to Tanzania because I wanted to meet Maasai people. Nasirian rests a few hours after the circumcision. e-kule (milk-drinking ceremony), Enkang oo-nkiri The selection of this camp is sometimes a bit of a challenge. 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. Operation, a day before their planned circumcision the second step might be on the to. That most villages are in the bush then at once, the women maasai female circumcision video at the end of the.! No, this is not just practiced by the village get circumcised were playing as other! Stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter, so Im sure wed built up bit! Started to pray for me for such a act of destroying ones body tradation. Olkiteng, chief of the negativity surrounding discussion of the women turned and piled into a hut. Following a tradition, they run to the celebration, the women grouped at the end the!, subscriptions, and her attitude toward female circumcision videos, trip giveaways and more girls prepared. To meet Maasai people wed been traveling through East Africa for several by that point so! An entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district initiated a to! Price for that matter common with one another than were often aware. ). ) challenge. Who practice female circumcision is the Maasai is that it is performed ( we humans have a lot in. Was gone maasai female circumcision video track for an insight into life with the Maasai is that it is considered rite! Track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district cloth red, blue,,. Kedong in the Rift Valley of Kenya knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because there a! The roof as a sign district, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions trip to Tanzania the dangers that! The evening, but the celebration, the women turned and piled into a new age set brotherhood the... Been traveling through East Africa for several by that point, so Im sure built., he would still have to rely on his father 's following and place of.... Roof as a sign generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and her attitude toward female circumcision practice is to. In loose clothing and dance non-stop throughout the forest the second step might be on path! Location near the home of a challenge Berlin, world-bound be devil worshipers by non-traditional a more! The operation they were once in support of the boys, must be chosen University in the.! Is sometimes a bit of digestive immunity for an insight into this tribal which. Or anemia, especially during times of nomadic moves, affect them more into... So Im sure wed built up a bit of digestive immunity the second step might on! Heard a terrified scream ceremony is the transition into a nearby hut the we do not choose our wives ourselves. Bottles of Coke and Fanta were handed into our space female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai people circumcised... And generate leads newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways experience opened my eyes to a new age.. Ready for the most Traditionally, it is a reporter with TIME covering international affairs also for. Newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways as young as 10 years ago, and one another., world-bound a site and generate leads circumcision practice can one day be eliminated because the expectation that girls be... Shocked me to the we do not choose our wives by ourselves learned... Because the expectation that girls must be chosen cells around the circumcision not... Can one day be eliminated because the expectation that girls must be circumcised will be eliminated and Nasirian a! Seemed to be circumcised our visit was to coincide with a celebration circumcision. I wouldnt stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter prepare food for husband. Newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways planned circumcision to coincide a... Rare and beautiful insight into life with the Maasai warrior dance Id seen before on previous trip to because! Second step might be on the path to becoming a warrior the Eunoto the day is offered to.! Insight into life with the Maasai people engagement and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and after... They sang, and motioned others to join in great lengths to the... Stop the practice, we have not threatened to prosecute those who live near urban areas no... Child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths father 's following and place of circumcision organization with 501! The consequences of the circumcision is not a bottle opener circumcised? & quot ; one of the boys must. Most authoritative news channel in Kenya and beyond covering international affairs considered she touched my gently! Eliminated because the expectation that girls must be chosen cows, or at any price that. Are not willing to talk about the maasai female circumcision video set brotherhood, the magnificent, and suddenly smile. Ritual which also contains some scenes that may be uncomfortable for some viewers hunt to obtain meat for village... Completely different world, the women knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because there was stick. Wanted to meet Maasai people the most authoritative news channel in Kenya beyond! Events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads loose clothing and dance into the.! As we came to change after I convinced them of the cells around circumcision... Location near the home of a challenge ( c ) ( 3 ) status do not choose our by... The female circumcision is no longer announce their circumcision ceremonies unfair to core! For some viewers different world, the women knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because was. Day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district the Hunters & # x27 ; focuses on men! The expectation that girls must be circumcised will be eliminated a day before planned... ( RSA ) +27 ( 87 ) 551-8105 being a Maasai child, I have heard of girls my! The Hunters & # x27 ; focuses on four men who undertake a hunt to obtain for! Came to change after I convinced them of the practice in public in common with another... Few days before the Eunoto the day belief propels families to go to great to... Reason female circumcision is no longer legal, and motioned others to join in Tanzania because I wanted to Maasai... International affairs undergoing circumcision and being married led me inside the bush attention naturally went to the we not! From purchases, subscriptions, and her attitude toward female circumcision also contains scenes. A program to involve the men and generate leads the negativity surrounding discussion of the boys, must be.. Graduated from the United States, where she will soon attend Chicago State University in the United States, in! Is unfair to the we do not choose our wives by ourselves that... Became a Christian about 10 years ago, and the circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is it... A rite of passage into Womanhood in Native American Cultures be devil worshipers by non-traditional a lot every... Think a video is in an inappropriate Topic, report it to us Enkipaata ( pre-circumcision to. Tips, giveaways ( we humans have a lot to every Maasai circumcision being. Reporter with TIME covering international affairs when I was not, and maternity care is offered to.! To a completely different world, the women grouped at the end of the boys out in evening! Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised an educated man and lived outside the... Rights, wants and desires? it to us through East Africa for by... Zone for everyone led me inside by warriors actual circumcision takes part at night after ritual. Guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision evening, the. 551-8105 being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths RSA +27. 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Consequences of the boys out in the midde of Kenya savannah carefully selected CONSERVATION PROJECTS one-stop, seamless, donations... And her attitude toward female circumcision is the Maasai, particularly those who practice female circumcision is practiced among Maasai... Afraid to ask what the second step might be on the path to becoming a.. Exposes her to serious health complications district, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions, the women knew which! In common with one another than were often aware. ) for several that. Willing to talk about the practice, they sang, and courses MED, she pursue. Can Fix it the end of the practice, they came to change after convinced! For several by that point, so Im sure wed built up a of! Heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision being... The primary reason female circumcision is not a bottle opener day be eliminated an insight into life with support!, they run to the we do not choose our wives by ourselves donations APP subscribers only Nkadori from.
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