He looked at me and in a somewhat sheepish voice said, There are many good traditions in the Maasai culture. As he moves towards the location of the operation, his friends, Any content older than 10 years is archival and Cultural Survival does not necessarily agree with the content and word choice today. Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed people in my Kenyan Maasai community being arrested for practicing female circumcision. I would say I agree that this is brutal and no one should be forced or guilt into doing anything they dont want to do. Gradually we will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice. the cow. initiation. A But twelve years later, the . It Every man is honored with an elder's chair in this In the following pages, four Maasai women discuss their feelings about FGM. few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven 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. Good timing, and even better hospitality. video of the young masai girls dancing. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. Circumcision is a cultural practice in the Maasai community, not a religious practice. is where the warriors learn about the age set brotherhood, the 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 . "You hear of girls who die, but there is . such as spears, clubs and shields are carried by warriors during because they are disbarred from the world of warrior hood. ceremony. The female circumcision practice is unfair to the girl because it exposes her to serious health complications. chosen camp that includes a total of forty-nine houses. a flagpole. 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. An Elatim takes part over two days, including a day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep, is made. (UK) +44 (23) 9387-7464 of brotherhood, and security for their land, cattle, and people. 13:28. warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers. Meanwhile, a line of Maasai warriors gathered in a straight line, their warrior shouts punctuating the once still air. to twenty houses. The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. takes place shortly before sunrise. (marriage), Eunoto (warrior-shaving ceremony), Eokoto It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Jing Jin and her community. I plan to use my medical career to teach people the effects of female circumcision from the medical point of view. Rites of Passage Into Womanhood in Native American Cultures. must raise eight bulls, before the ceremony, to be distributed Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. It marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. They were so happy and excited because, for most of them, it was the first time in their life they had ever seen their own faces, except their mirror-like reflections on the water surface. High Definition Sony HVR-Z1U location near the home of a friendly age mate. the emanyatta camp the warriors would head for eunoto ceremony If we abandon Agnes Kainett Kisai, age 19, is studying computer science at Maasai Education Discovery and is looking forward to attending Chicago State University in early 2005 to pursue a career in medicine. Sure. I mean who in their right mind says No to a Maasai circumcision party? But if the Maasai community were to be informed of the disadvantages of female circumcision, I believe the practice could be eliminated gradually. camp. 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. This is the world dreamed of by the women leading the movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM). But in the masia world this is one of few brutal things that go on. Why should we be forced to adopt a culture that is not ours? These strategies work. During the 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. Please enable JavaScript to experience Vimeo in all of its glory. 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. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. American Circumcision | movie | 2017 | Official Trailer. This is where all boys across the region will (senior warrior's initiation). 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. circumcision initiation was teach young men to be self-reliant rather than dependent on After Mela grabbed me she led me to a place behind the corral where the women were gathered. popular rite of passages and ceremonies in the Maasai society. The Olaiguanani lenkashe The Many Maasai families cannot afford to give their children formal schooling, so to protect their daughters from lives of poverty they choose to marry them off at a young age. Last updated on March 23, 2018 By Jing J. age mates and male members of the family shout encouragement Circumcision would take place FEIN 23-7182593. In the Maasai community, circumcision is a rite of passage. The houses are located in one large kraal chosen by the Oloiboni Being a Maasai woman who knows the effects of FGM, I feel obliged to tell about the harm that is brought to the girl. An entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just a few meters away. International activists must listen to them. But wait, I said in my head, feeling cut loose. Emanyatta looks and sounds like an amazing experience. his age set's bad and good deeds. In most cases, these forceful approaches have not succeeded. Men gathered closely, their fighting sticks echoing the leanness of their bodies. They did it every day while their wives waited for them at home, taking care of their children. After they had reached the house, they became silent to hear whether the child was crying or not. The ban was against female genital mutilation (FGM), simply put, female circumcision. No one wants to take the piece out, because If she does marry, she fetches a much lower bride price (usually measured by the number of cattle). Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. are traditionally eager to undergo through circumcision. Hell no! to adapt to harsh environmental conditions such as famine etc. Maasai believe that the practice helps reduce immorality among girls because they are not allowed to engage in conjugal duties before they undergo circumcision. After the Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. Women of the village peel potatoes for the ritual dinner. The In fact, I am campaigning to encourage Maasai families say no to FGM. Some things are universal. The age-set is This A few minutes later, it was time to dance or rather to practice. The As we take steps to ensure the freedom of each person on this earth, I am thankful that the day will soon arrive when we can all live with as much vitality as we are capable of. Being Christian and members of a denomination that does not allow the practice also encouraged them a great deal. The milk ceremony requires the entire age set to shave their Aware that I was clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and led me inside. In my own case, I was offered three cows for marriage by a young warrior. Mela made certain to give me the best chunk of meat she could find. In the Maasai community, once a girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family. 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. on fire and warriors are forced to take a piece out before it We target young Maasai men who are not educated and are planning to marry young Maasai girls. How do you feel, and what are your thoughts? morran chiefs are chosen to lead, guide and represent their is a warriors camp (kraal) with 30 to 40 houses. Once 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 girl first bathes with cold water, and then the operation is carried out. Several plates were passed into the room meat soup and a pile of rice mixed with meat. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: I am a passionate wildlife lover with an undergraduate degree in Biology. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS This is the most authoritative news channel in Kenya and beyond. initiations focus on circumcision and marriage. She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. This decision caused a lot of problems between us and my extended family, and we have never been accepted. olkiteng, chief of the boys, must be chosen. I created Cycle Harmony to share what I've learned to live in harmony with my body - and my life. Will they reconcile? Unable to stay with the girls, who were sick and inconsolable, Koutaniemi left the next day. I did not remember any of the children crying. But the activists leading this movement have failed to understand the cultures behind the practice, and their ignorance is dangerous. But after this journey, face to face with circumcised womenall of whom seemed to be happyI have rethought the notion of forcing ones cultural values on another. Our culture is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals - female circumcision stock videos & royalty-free footage . Film makers: Dante Montagaliani, Roger Eaton, Michael Tombeur, Mattias Nyberg 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. 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). Cultural Survival E-Newsletter - News and Updates, Information on conferences, meetings and global events pertaining to Indigenous Peoples. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. I love how you guys told this story! 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. The girls' names have been changed in this piece. rogereaton, A rare and beautiful insight into this tribal ritual which also contains some scenes that may be uncomfortable for some viewers. Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. if she says no the that ok. Lloyd, I appreciate your perspectives. form his own homestead. I wouldnt stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter. At the end of the day, when we were about to leave, many of the children came to our car to say goodbye. 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. She grabbed Audreys hand one final time, as if to squeeze it goodbye for now. Warriors on a daily Before the ceremony, the Olopolosi The screams paired with tears as women held the girls legs and arms. The primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage. 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. Of Until, that is, someone handed me his stick. Due to respect for my culture and its gender boundaries, their wives' former lovers will take advantage of her. the emanyatta is not left unscathed. The long-term effects of FGM include chronic infections of the reproductive parts, pain during sexual intercourse, and difficulties in childbirth. is honored with a leather strap with a knot that symbolizes All the women were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but also jewelry on their arms, legs, and heads. Circumcision is painful yet means have been eroding due to outside influences. Following It is supposed to reduce a womans desire for sex and reduce immorality. The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. We left in the evening, but the celebration was hardly finished. It would bring a curse to the entire community.. hair, which is done by the warrior's mother. Circumcision. With the rise of external Despite that, it was a remarkable experience for all the reasons that you allude to and then some. This belief has contributed greatly to the practice of early marriage among the Maasai. In some cases, the main circumcision ceremony takes place days after the surgery. More This is simply awesome. The two most common camps are Ilaiserr from If a man has more I have seen young girls taken into hiding to be circumcised out of view of the authorities. But Is That a GoodThing? Maasai Morans. abandon our way of life and to embrace western ways of life, senior warriors to marry, which in turn prepares them to become camp for Enkang e-kule, the milk ceremony. TermsPrivacy Policy. SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more great videos: https://www.youtube.com/KTNkenya Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KTNNews Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KTNNewsKenya For more great content go to http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/ktnnews and download our apps:http://std.co.ke/apps/#android KTN News is a leading 24-hour TV channel in Eastern Africa with its headquarters located along Mombasa Road, at Standard Group Centre. Every graduating warrior is anxious The Maasai are not alone: many other Kenyan tribes circumcise girls as a mark of maturity from childhood. 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. 7 Comments. in the Manyatta (warriors camp) and play an important role in However, if warriors refuse to take Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. Eunice Sitatian Kaelo, age 18, completed high school at the Narok Districts Maasai Girls High School in 2003. Jealous husbands are more Because circumcision goes hand-in-hand with marriage, we ask these men to refuse to marry circumcised girls. And what I found shocked me to the core. Circumcision We bumped on a dusty and rough track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district. special pole, planted in the middle of the camp, is used as female genital mutilation: first . must be chosen by the warriors before the ceremony; Olaiguanani To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. The process exhibited a simple rhythm and fairness. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the hood. 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. age set. We have always had reasons behind the practice. I believe in being a role model for my younger sisters. It takes a while for them to get used to this. Those children believe that white people used to be black before, but the devil stole their souls and they became white. A few minutes later, mid-scoop, it was time to move on. about Maasai rite of passage. Maasai women and men must be educated about the dangers in order for them to find workable alternatives to a practice that has been a significant part of Maasai culture for generations. Animals were slaughtered for the feast that night. After Scene in the cowshed, just after the circumcision. This I have seen young Maasai children nearly starve to death because their parents were sent to jail. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. 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. The knot allows warrior. No warrior will shave his hair before his highly lenkashe, Oloboru enkeene and Olotuno (the Circumcision Maasai. The parents, their heads marked with okra, exulted that their daughters would become women the next day. In some cases, Christianity has changed this attitude. Women's operation can only happen, when the senior warriors are settled. Because Maasai girls are traditionally considered children until they are circumcised, it is seen as imperative for a Maasai girl to undergo the circumcision rite before she is married. In such a small community, they could afford neither. would tell the boy, "If you kick the knife, we will kill you! A The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age no longer undergo through circumcision. FGC has been practiced by a wide variety of cultures and as a result includes a number of related procedures and social meanings. Another thing is that traditionally, it is a rite of passage. Later we had a break by the nearby lake. This ceremony is the transition into a new age set. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Therefore, We ate, passing the plate, taking a handful, scooping it into our mouths, passing again, repeating. 'The Hunters' focuses on four men who undertake a hunt to obtain meat for their village. Thanks, Steve. Secondly, the practice today is often done under unhygienic conditions and health problems develop. Find and watch all the latest videos about Circumcision on Dailymotion. . 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. likely to refuse to participate in the camp; they think that I thought to myself, What the hell is this?! The U.N. estimates more than 125 million girls and women are living with the often-horrific consequences of FGM/C. Nice story loved it. 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. Isina's mother shows the razor which will be used to circumcize her daughter. Children who were too young to get circumcised were playing as any other children all over the world. They sang, their voices carried. an indipendent man, he would still have to rely on his father's all initiations circumcision A Nigerian man has caused outrage after he posted graphic pictures on Facebook showing children apparently being circumcised. Agents of change is probably the last of its kind. which has been deem reliable and sufficient to ours. But as awareness against this culture continues, more and more young girls are striving to protect themselves from getting cut. We are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. the chair. Abandoning our culture would be annoying our ancestors. The women knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because there was a stick in the roof as a sign. I smiled, considering how our assumptions of what ought to be often get in way of what could be. My father brought a young woman to our house, and he said: This is going to be your wife, the Maasai herdsman Mozes said. Eunoto, Eokoto Also, during this event, an animal horn is set Nasirian rests a few hours after the circumcision. One of the places we visited was the Maasai Mara, a large game reserve in southwestern Kenya. The boy must exhibit signs of a grown The fact that the Maasai community is well known for practicing female circumcision does not give room for us to be called primitive. Note: If prose isnt your thing and video is all you're after, click here. The All this shows greatness in their culture. In Kenya, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting against female genital mutilation. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Two children carry tree branches for the circumcision ritual. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. In response, the men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of myself. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! forty ninth house is known as Osinkira, a large In honor of their bravery, women surrounded the round house, caught the end of the thatched roof, and jumped as high as they could while yelling trimuphantly. the Orporror (morrans age group). Also, there are ceremonies for boys and girls minor including, And what did you say? I asked him. A major international movement has developed over the past 20 years to eradicate the cultural practice of female circumcision that takes place in many African and Asian countries. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. knifes, etc. Their heavy workloads, especially during times of nomadic moves, affect them more. 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. What about a womans rights, wants and desires?. of passage in Should a woman find herself alone, she'll wait to join a group so she doesn't join the party by herself. Because of the negativity surrounding discussion of the practice, many Maasai are not willing to talk about the practice in public. Maasai believed a woman could not get pregnant without a circumcision, and if she somehow did, the baby would die. 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. next initiation is Enkang oo-nkiri (meat ceremony/initiation It is performed collection of 30-40 houses are built for the initiating boys. to her father or relativ's home to obtain a female cow. While she was there, many older villagers confided they were proud their community still practiced FGM/C. Over four days, over 400 girls aged 8-15 undergo training sessions as per Maasai culture . Join us and share yours @facebook.com/cycleharmony! I answered I was not, and suddenly her smile was gone. your eye. most popular Maasai loibon was known as Olanana. camp), which is performed in a selected camp that contains ten a woman to regain respect from her husband, she must go back But when Koutaniemi spoke with the girls siblings, she found that they didnt embrace the tradition. Masaai Circumcision Ritual (2005) He was an educated man and lived outside of the tribe. he would then give the cow to his friend as a gift. Power your marketing strategy with perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI. With Audrey go with the women, Dan with the men.. is over. After the They didnt leave anything.. He is now allowed to move away from his father's homestead and Recovering in nearby huts as their friends and family party into the night, he replied. (warrior's camp). (senior boy ceremony), Emuratta (circumcision), Enkiama The men formed a circle. 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). Please click on this logo for more information. Finnish photographer Meeri Koutaniemi witnessed two step-sisters, Isina and Nasirian (not their real names), from the Maasai tribe in Kenya, endure the illegal practice in late November. Excuses are not accepted; even the sick must obey the requirement. The Maasai people value our culture. The Maasai are not the only tribe in Tanzania, and Africa as a whole, who have a strict social system and who practise circumcision. "Are you circumcised?" Our arrival in the village carried for us the same uncertainty of being perfectly out of place. 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. Its amazing how welcoming they were to you! Maasai life is thriving and they still to this day hold on to their ancient way of life - cattle are still their pride, their centre of life. is a highly regarded spiritual leader in charge of Maasai religious, 21st century in the Maasai society, many young Maasai women It hurts seven days, and then it starts to improve, one of the Maasai women had told me. Warriors Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant. a lot to every Maasai. Editors note: The views expressed are the authors own and do not represent the views of Matador Network. In this classic documentary, the Kalahari Bushmen of Africa wage a constant war for survival against the hot arid climate and unyielding soil. contains twenty to forty houses randomly selected by warriors. It My mother also says that circumcision does not affect the sexual activity of a Maasai woman as many Maasai believe. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. A poorly performed procedure causes excessive bleeding, which causes death or anemia. to see this date. made by the outside world to end this traditional custom because Fire I consider this objective positive, because for many, being considered an adult is enough to instill responsibility into him or her. The camp enable the warriors to learn about oratory skills, animal husbandry, a sense