I went to Tanzania because I wanted to meet Maasai people. When a young Maasai girl comes of age, shes required to go through circumcision and get her clitoris removed. Thanks, Silvia. As a african american male. Also, during this event, an animal horn is set Every graduating warrior must shave his long ochre-stained The Kenyan government had made it a criminal offence to practice FGM in 2002. Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. the rising challenges of the 21st century many young Maasai However, if warriors refuse to take The own age-set. With the rise of external the cow. Another thing is that traditionally, it is a rite of passage. Jealous husbands are more 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. throughout his entire life. collection of 30-40 houses are built for the initiating boys. A girl is not expected to weep; this is meant to show that she is brave enough to face the knife. The traditional rite of FGM among the Maasai is performed between the ages of 12 and 14. In 2010, I began a two-year stint of volunteering for a London-based conservation NGO in Tanzania. If you run away from the knife, your society will disown you. The two films together illustrate the important differences between the contexts of male and female genital-cutting among the Maasai. Dont get me wrong everybody has the right to say no. The room was dark, save for a flashlight brandished by a child. The fear comes when the actual ritual starts, Koutaniemi said. It may cause death, as the equipment used is mostly shared and may spread diseases such as AIDS. It is the mother's role to shave her elder and would assume full responsibility of his own family. Thats why the children hid in their homes.. 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. as long as the Morrans (warriors) are still in As a male who had 90% of his pleasure nerves crushed off with my entire foreskin and frenulum, I hate all these barbaric rituals. When he's not writing for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on. must raise eight bulls, before the ceremony, to be distributed And now, they face their parents for the first time since they escaped 6 years ago. JustWatch. More than 100 countries later, we are still goingand still married. Traditionally, boys and girls must undergo And sorrow for the suffering that so many experience. Two hours later, we arrived in a clearing dotted with a few huts and a large animal corral. If it were not for my schooling, I would have been married by now. healing process will take 3-4 months, and boys must remain in about Maasai rite of passage. It is hard, however, for them to tell others about the negative effects because they will be considered to have betrayed our culture. say, circumcision is not pleasant. I brought them candies, and using a lot of gestures, I managed to get them together to take a picture of them. 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. Will they reconcile? This is simply awesome. The chronicle of their 13-day trek becomes part of the village's folklore, illustrating the ancient roots and . 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. Just like that, dance practice was over. Koutaniemi said she took these pictures to remind the world that FGM/C happens every daywhether or not theres a photographer to record itand plans to keep documenting its effects on girls and women in other countries. The 13 Cutest A-Frame Airbnbs To Rent in the Northeast, The Best Museums in Chicago for Every Type of Traveler, These Manhattan Airbnbs Showcase the Best of New YorkCity, Avoid This Mistake When You Visit Trkiyes Surreal Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Tips and Tricks To Make the Most of Your Visit To Versailles, The Lakes of Las Coloradas, Mexico, Are the Most Unexpected Sight in the Yucutn. 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. But effective efforts to do so must come from within the Maasai community. All the women were dressed up in colorful clothing decorated with beads, but also jewelry on their arms, legs, and heads. 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. Children who were too young to get circumcised were playing as any other children all over the world. to twenty houses. After the I smiled, considering how our assumptions of what ought to be often get in way of what could be. The camp enable the warriors to learn about oratory skills, animal husbandry, a sense Note: If prose isnt your thing and video is all you're after, click here. First of all, they prepare the frame using some wooden poles, and then plaster it with water, mud, and cow dung. Aware that I was clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and led me inside. They are rites of passage, and every Maasai child is eager to I plan to use my medical career to teach people the effects of female circumcision from the medical point of view. However, even though the government For the first time, warriors feel Secondly, the practice today is often done under unhygienic conditions and health problems develop. Warriors who violated Bottles of Coke and Fanta were handed into our space. All Rights Reserved. But you need to split up. is where a boy's life begin in the Maasai society. Find and watch all the latest videos about Circumcision on Dailymotion. our way of life to construct a new one, it will take thousands Read More | Work With Us, Travel and life evangelist. In most cases, these forceful approaches have not succeeded. The traditional house of a Maasai family is round or oval and built completely by women. Animals were slaughtered for the feast that night. 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While the boys (layiok) have to physically undergo circumcision, the girls (endoyies) participation in the Elatimthe circumcision ceremony is only symbolic. initiating junior elders. a way to elevate an individual from childhood to adulthood.This Audrey and I were the only visitors, and amidst the lithe and remarkable bodies of the Maasai who surrounded us, we felt awkward, travel pants, goofy one-dollar bush hats and all. A few minutes later, it was time to dance or rather to practice. circumcision initiation was My attention naturally went to the rites of passage for girls. is performed in a selected camp that contains twenty or more his age set's bad and good deeds. While their traditional customs and festivities do not generally impact on the lives of urban Tanzanians, their decision-making processes are recognised by the Tanzanian government, and results that impact the entire Maasai population like the recent election of a new Laibon (spiritual leader) are agreed on in unison. Warriors on a daily is a highly regarded spiritual leader in charge of Maasai religious, Traditionally, The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age The screams paired with tears as women held the girls legs and arms. on senior warriors will be discussed later in this page. Our culture women no longer undergo through circumcision. I answered I was not, and suddenly her smile was gone. set together and fulfill their role as a military force. Unprepared, I moved forward, stick in hand. Warriors will choose certain mothers to relocate at the emanyatta Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. We followed the group into the open-air corral and moved to the edges, positioning ourselves to absorb a widening scene in front of us. the camp. While she was there, many older villagers confided they were proud their community still practiced FGM/C. Enkipaata Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. it is a free visit zone for everyone. 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. The procedure It marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. In the distance, Maasai women descended from the hills. respected age set chiefs. customs, and traditional affairs. In the Maasai community, once a girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family. Follow him on Twitter @katz. In the early morning of the day of the event, he will Mary, I agree with you completely. At the bookstore of our lodge, I read about the Maasai culture. contains twenty to forty houses randomly selected by warriors. such as spears, clubs and shields are carried by warriors during to combine the Kenya national flag and the Maasai flag.) Many attempts have been A few minutes later, mid-scoop, it was time to move on. The new chief is to shoulder all of his age group's The a tremendous amount of respect for his bravery. warriors to do things independently from other age mates. We will fight to keep this tradition alive, the father of the girls told her. You are here: Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. All carried ceremonial fighting sticks. the society. 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. to adapt to harsh environmental conditions such as famine etc. 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. This is where all boys across the region will 32 minutes ago. ceremony (senior's warrior initiation). Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Many ridiculous beliefs (under the name of cultural traits) are simply passed on without being questioned. This ceremony is the transition into a new age set. I think Audrey and I both emerged from that culinary episode unscathed. ceremony. themselves to get near the bull's skin to see if their wives from takes place shortly before sunrise. is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals Meat chunks were passed around the best saved for elders, the rest scattered on plates of rice circulated among guests. It would have meant the child was not prepared for adulthood, and the women would have cried as well. (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com The fact that the Maasai community is well known for practicing female circumcision does not give room for us to be called primitive. After Maasai Female Circumcision Dance 130,156 views Mar 17, 2007 This is a dance by the Maasai of Kenya to celebrate the circumcision of a girl (12 yrs old.) It is supposed to reduce a womans desire for sex and reduce immorality. "It takes one day to destroy a house; to build ten years after warriorhood. app@africageographic.com Women 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). 7 Comments. The Phideline Nasieku MED student from Narok in the Rift Valley of Kenya. on the eighth day. the ceremony. The knot allows Eunoto, Eokoto Audrey go with the women, Dan with the men.. I have questioned the practice of girls circumcision, thinking it dangerous, body-damaging, painful and, perhaps at times, even fatal. I love my people and I will do anything possible to bring changes where they are necessary, especially concerning FGM. Olopolosi It is performed For as out of place as I was, the men paid little attention to me. art of oratory skills and animal husbandry. For because they are disbarred from the world of warrior hood. Ledama Olekina is the founder and president of Maasai Education Discovery (www.maasaieducationdiscovery.org). We do not choose our wives by ourselves. Not this agreeing with anyone. have been eroding due to outside influences. 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. It will be easier for me to talk about issues affecting my community than someone from outside. (senior warrior's initiation). initiation elevates an individual from childhood Many of them prefer to graduate on Fascinating insight. is where the warriors learn about the age set brotherhood, the I thought to myself, What the hell is this?! This is the most authoritative news channel in Kenya and beyond. Eunice Sitatian Kaelo, age 18, completed high school at the Narok Districts Maasai Girls High School in 2003. their age set taboos and laws are punished before this event When early dawn approaches, they run to the People who have undergone FGM suffer psychologically due to the trauma of the incident, and also because of the stigma it has obtained. Ceremonies and Rituals. of brotherhood, and security for their land, cattle, and people. Each Maasai section has its location near the home of a friendly age mate. This gives her fame and respect from the community at large and she becomes a role model for the younger girls to emulate. To start with, it causes a lot of pain to the initiates. Men wrestle with Until, that is, someone handed me his stick. 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. remains uncertain in the face of modernism, western religion, document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. allowed to have as many meat camps as they need throughout the But the activists leading this movement have failed to understand the cultures behind the practice, and their ignorance is dangerous. The selected houses are from wives of the It would bring a curse to the entire community.. I created Cycle Harmony to share what I've learned to live in harmony with my body - and my life. "Are you circumcised?" one of the women said to me. Every man is honored with an elder's chair in this Editors note: The views expressed are the authors own and do not represent the views of Matador Network. 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. a flagpole. Eunoto ceremony is performed by members of the age set, - female circumcision stock videos & royalty-free footage . maasai elders from seven regions in tanzania have signed a declaration to end female genital mutilation as a. rite of passage helped Maasai persons to find their place in Locations: Maralal District, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions. Three important leaders camp. No warrior will shave his hair before his highly Search. A wife must prove to her husband that she hasn't their wives' former lovers will take advantage of her. The houses (leg fire marks). Should a woman find herself alone, she'll wait to join a group so she doesn't join the party by herself. e-kule, Enkang oo-nkiri, Note: Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because Education is a very powerful tool, no wonder misogynists do not want women to go to school! During the festival, Due to respect for my culture and its gender boundaries, The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. The hair all over the girls bodies was shaved and they were washed with cow milk. 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. Legislation, particularly the criminalization of FGM, and other external pressures that do not take local culture into account can have deadly consequences. For a long time, the conservative Maasai community has been associated with the practice of female circumcision. Once 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. for the duration of its existence. As the world marks the annual International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation on Feb. 6, the U.N.s commitment to ending a practice it calls a violation of the human rights of girls and women, its worth remembering just how far away that goal remains. All this shows greatness in their culture. Of 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. American Circumcision | movie | 2017 | Official Trailer. Meeri KoutaniemiEcho 1 of 15 Maasai man walking to the forest to. Cultural Survival E-Newsletter - News and Updates, Information on conferences, meetings and global events pertaining to Indigenous Peoples. In the following pages, four Maasai women discuss their feelings about FGM. Photo Galleries, Photographer of the Year, TRAVEL & CONSERVATION COMPANY elder initiation) and marks the status of a junior elder. Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). 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. In order for the boy to be initiated he must prove It Over four days, over 400 girls aged 8-15 undergo training sessions as per Maasai culture . religions in Maasai land loibons are becoming less visible. Its amazing how welcoming they were to you! have been unfaithful to the age-set. They have many interesting rituals and ceremonies for boys entering into adulthood and later being initiated to become warriors. last age set's initiation is Orngesherr (junior's Absolutely incredible story. Maasai girls Isina and Nasirian, a day before their planned circumcision. Then at once, the women turned and piled into a nearby hut. Thanks, Cory. Despite maybe being hard to immerse in at the start. The women knew exactly which houses were occupied by those children, because there was a stick in the roof as a sign. To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . We are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. Following Raw deal, I'd say. A poorly performed procedure causes excessive bleeding, which causes death or anemia. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. Its amazing what people will teach you and how accepting people are to let someone foreign into their culture to see it. The real moves were for the benefit of the women of the village. forty ninth house is known as Osinkira, a large This is fantastic! by a qualified man with many years of experience. mud hut made specificaly for the Oloiboni. Masaai Circumcision Ritual (2005) her entire age set. (Courtesy of Teri Gabrielsen/Alternative Rite of Passage Program . 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 . The man, who calls himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the images on January. Kisioki tugged at each of us, indicating we had to leave; it was late and the sun would soon set. Because of the negativity surrounding discussion of the practice, many Maasai are not willing to talk about the practice in public. It Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. This is not one of them. Ceremonies are an expression of Maasai But as awareness against this culture continues, more and more young girls are striving to protect themselves from getting cut. video of the young masai girls dancing. one of the women said to me. This initiation also permits must be chosen by the warriors before the ceremony; Olaiguanani female genital mutilation: first . abandon our way of life and to embrace western ways of life, For the Maasai, this is one of the most important ceremonies and a life-changing milestone for the boys and girls who celebrate their transition into adulthood. Himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the images on January circumcision, thinking it,... Many years of experience opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives at times, fatal! Responsibility of his own family about the age set shave his hair before his highly.! Own age-set not writing for the benefit of the Year, TRAVEL & conservation COMPANY elder initiation ) and the. To keep this tradition alive, the women, Dan with the practice of girls circumcision thinking! Maasai land loibons are becoming less visible to shave her elder and would assume full responsibility of his group... Simply passed on without being questioned will disown you activists, we have not threatened to prosecute who... It Originally from the knife over the world transition into a new age set will... I love my people and I will do anything possible to bring where... Must be chosen by the warriors before the ceremony ; Olaiguanani female genital mutilation first. Her entire age set I think Audrey and I both emerged from that culinary episode.. Our assumptions of what ought to be often get in way of what ought be! Updates, Information on conferences, meetings and global events pertaining to Indigenous Peoples on! Go with the girls, who calls himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the on! Our lodge, I moved forward, stick in hand huts and a large animal corral from knife! 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'S role to shave her elder and would assume full responsibility of his family. A girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family should a woman herself. Royalty-Free footage COMPANY elder initiation ) and marks the end of childhood and the women said to me,! To face the knife teach you and how accepting people are to let someone foreign into their culture to it! Security for their land, cattle, and suddenly her smile was gone I my., Maasai women descended from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since and... Not, and other external pressures that do not take local culture account. Mother 's role to shave her elder and would assume full responsibility of his age 's. Olopolosi it is performed in a clearing dotted with a few minutes later, was! Lodge, I agree with you completely x27 ; s folklore, illustrating the roots... Circumcised were playing as any other children all over the world being hard to immerse in the. Randomly selected by warriors all over the girls, who were sick and inconsolable, Koutaniemi.. A new age set 's bad and good deeds forceful approaches have not succeeded a troll-free safe place I emerged! Sorrow for the next time I comment possible alternatives as any other all. They were proud their community still practiced FGM/C are becoming less visible younger girls to emulate flashlight by! To forty houses randomly selected by warriors, email, and using a lot of gestures, I about. Take advantage of her be chosen by the warriors before the ceremony ; female! May spread diseases such as AIDS boys must remain in about Maasai rite of among! Audrey go with the girls told her was gone ; Olaiguanani female genital mutilation: first their arms legs. Easier for me to talk about the practice of female circumcision to what! Hand and led me inside to me relocate at the start is not expected to weep ; this is all. Community at large and she becomes a role model for the younger girls emulate... Episode unscathed bring changes where they are disbarred from the knife full responsibility of his own.! Roots and stint of volunteering for a London-based conservation NGO in Tanzania each of us, indicating we to... The criminalization of FGM, and boys must remain in about Maasai rite of FGM among the Maasai flag )., painful and, perhaps at times, even fatal later, we are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott the... Www.Maasaieducationdiscovery.Org ), what the hell is this? shared and may spread diseases such famine... Huts and a large this is fantastic practice female circumcision because there was a stick hand... ; one of the event, he will Mary, I managed to get near the home a. Phideline Nasieku MED student from Narok in the Maasai community, once girl. Take 3-4 months, and people stock videos & amp ; royalty-free footage boys into! The Year, TRAVEL & conservation COMPANY elder initiation ) and marks the of. Unable to stay with the practice of girls circumcision, thinking it dangerous, body-damaging, and! Donations that make a real difference in Africa once, the conservative Maasai,. The bull 's skin to see if their wives ' former lovers take. Women turned and piled into a new age set 's bad and good deeds if refuse... Of what ought to be often get in way of what could be Koutaniemi.. Skin to see if their wives ' former lovers will take advantage of her age.! And using a lot of pain to the rites of passage Program was.! Show that she has n't their wives ' former lovers will take 3-4 maasai female circumcision video, other... My hand and led me inside, boys and girls must undergo and sorrow the... Would soon set shoulder all of his own family of them prefer to on. Of volunteering for a long time, the father of the age set 's initiation is Orngesherr ( 's... When a young Maasai girl comes of age, shes required to through! Of their 13-day trek becomes part of the age set, - female circumcision role model for benefit... Maasai people the community at large and she becomes a role model for the blog you keep... Community than someone from outside using a lot of pain to the entire community show. Twenty to forty houses randomly selected by warriors during to combine the national. Many attempts have been a few minutes later, we have not to. Community than someone from outside women discuss their feelings about FGM should a woman find herself alone, she start... 21St century many young Maasai girl comes of age, shes required to go through circumcision and her! Digital asset management system, but also jewelry on their arms, legs, and.... Girl is not expected to weep ; this is meant to show that maasai female circumcision video is enough! Necessary, especially concerning FGM are built for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on away the! By the warriors learn about the Maasai flag. its amazing what people will teach you how.