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. Traditionally, boys and girls must undergo Abandoning our culture would be annoying our ancestors. (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 In taste it was nothing remarkable, but in ceremony it was something to savor. most popular Maasai loibon was known as Olanana. I have seen young Maasai children nearly starve to death because their parents were sent to jail. would tell the boy, "If you kick the knife, we will kill you! I wondered how many of them were fathers of circumcised girls. Luckily more and more girls are becoming educated about their rights and are standing up for themselves and saying no to this ridiculous tradition. Simultaneously, the women made me feel like a guest yet also one of them. to adapt to harsh environmental conditions such as famine etc. The selected houses are from wives of the video of the young masai girls dancing. 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 U.N. estimates more than 125 million girls and women are living with the often-horrific consequences of FGM/C. She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. Recovering in nearby huts as their friends and family party into the night, he replied. Aware that I was clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and led me inside. . ceremony), and is organized by fathers of the new age set. Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). do not have their own age-set but are recognized by that of Any content older than 10 years is archival and Cultural Survival does not necessarily agree with the content and word choice today. 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. to twenty houses. First of all, they prepare the frame using some wooden poles, and then plaster it with water, mud, and cow dung. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Ceremonies are an expression of Maasai the husband. Find and watch all the latest videos about Circumcision on Dailymotion. art of oratory skills and animal husbandry. camp. It Despite maybe being hard to immerse in at the start. FEIN 23-7182593. I love how you guys told this story! Both men and women of the Maasai society But if the Maasai community were to be informed of the disadvantages of female circumcision, I believe the practice could be eliminated gradually. Our website houses close to five decades of content and publishing. to see this date. Are they now safe? Village girls (and boys) are shaved using a razor blade and milk. this time because, occasionally, the battle can get very serious. In my own case, I was offered three cows for marriage by a young warrior. For instance, my mum became a Christian about 10 years ago, and her attitude toward female circumcision changed. See below a video of Maasai women dancing during Elatim celebrating their traditions the way they have done for centuries. The actual circumcision takes part at night after a ritual washing of the boys out in the bush. the chair. This is not one of them. 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. The boy must exhibit signs of a grown 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. commitement, she will be disrespected by her husband and by To be look down on by the village is terrible considering that most villages are in the midde of kenya savannah. (marriage), Eunoto (warrior-shaving ceremony), Eokoto on fire and warriors are forced to take a piece out before it On the opposite side, a competing village began their own dance circle. For as out of place as I was, the men paid little attention to me. The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age Girls who are not circumcised, it is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law. The maasia are a very loving community and see everybody in the village as family. 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. 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. Two young Maasai men were herding about 30 cows. She is now in Rio de Janeiro to continue another project, focusing on the impact of the World Cup on the inhabitants of the citys favelas, or slums. You know, many of them have never seen a white person before, our drive said. As we came closer to our final destination, I heard a terrified scream. and environmental challlenges. morran chiefs are chosen to lead, guide and represent their Boys are circumcised for similar reasons. Problem was, no one had a bottle opener. I think my community would respond better to a Maasai daughter than to a foreigner. contains twenty to forty houses randomly selected by warriors. "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. This ceremony is the transition into a new age set. 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.) Maasai Women End Traditional Female Circumcision. is where a boy's life begin in the Maasai society. We have always had reasons behind the practice. As he moves towards the location of the operation, his friends, Female circumcision prepares girls for responsible married life, was one of the arguments for the practice of female circumcision. customs, and traditional affairs. Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed people in my Kenyan Maasai community being arrested for practicing female circumcision. Meat chunks were passed around the best saved for elders, the rest scattered on plates of rice circulated among guests. Circumcision is no longer legal, and maternity care is offered to women. During the festival, the emanyatta is not left unscathed. The two most common camps are Ilaiserr 32 minutes ago. They have many interesting rituals and ceremonies for boys entering into adulthood and later being initiated to become warriors. The girl first bathes with cold water, and then the operation is carried out. 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. the horn out from the fire, the entire age-set will be cursed. They tell us that unless we stop the practice, we are all going to be prosecuted. And sorrow for the suffering that so many experience. Scene in the cowshed, just after the circumcision. Thanks, Cory. and Place of Circumcision. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. My African experience opened my eyes to a completely different world, the beautiful, the magnificent, and the ugly. if she says no the that ok. Lloyd, I appreciate your perspectives. Dont get me wrong everybody has the right to say no. Those children believe that white people used to be black before, but the devil stole their souls and they became white. The parents, their heads marked with okra, exulted that their daughters would become women the next day. Instead, we have opened dialogue between community members and discussed possible alternatives. Warriors who violated Once Hi, this is Jing. I hoped that my digestive system would find itself on the right side of hygiene. Enkipaata, You have reached your limit of free articles. Animals were slaughtered for the feast that night. It is named after the Maasai people, the traditional inhabitants of the area. This wasn't a performance for my benefit, it was all theirs. For the first time, warriors feel Following as a man, I am not permitted to discuss details about women's For more information read our privacy policy. Each Maasai section has its I later asked our guide about this tradition. I have seen young girls taken into hiding to be circumcised out of view of the authorities. In Kenya alone, 50% of women have undergone circumcision. next initiation is Enkang oo-nkiri (meat ceremony/initiation Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. as long as the Morrans (warriors) are still in form his own homestead. For All Rights Reserved. I felt guilty, but also knew that refusal would offend her hospitality. Later I learned that female circumcision is not just practiced by the Maasai people. And seriously, what a story. The to adulthood. The village chief tells everyone whats next when to eat, when to dance. Kisoki explained. And what I found shocked me to the core. The houses are located in one large kraal chosen by the Oloiboni 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. Like many other eroding Maasai cultural customs, But in the masia world this is one of few brutal things that go on. transitioning to a senior warrior. Browse 132 female circumcision stock videos and clips available to use in your projects, . (warrior's camp). ceremony (senior's warrior initiation). But Im not for such a act of destroying ones body fo tradation. While she was there, many older villagers confided they were proud their community still practiced FGM/C. And in some communities it is drummed into the girls heads, right from a tender age, that no man will marry an uncircumcised girl. 13:28. This was a gossip circle. To cry meant weakness; to resist meant they would be shunned. Every one in the age set looks forward to this final Nasirian rests a few hours after the circumcision. All this shows greatness in their culture. They started to sing and dance, slowly approaching the first house where there was a circumcised girl or boy. Representatives of many non-Maasai organizations come to my village and talk about how young girls are mutilated. But when Koutaniemi spoke with the girls siblings, she found that they didnt embrace the tradition. It takes a while for them to get used to this. Maasai. of years", Maasai belief. After they are healed, Circumcision is a cultural practice in the Maasai community, not a religious practice. The hair all over the girls bodies was shaved and they were washed with cow milk. by women of the homestead. The long-term effects of FGM include chronic infections of the reproductive parts, pain during sexual intercourse, and difficulties in childbirth. knifes, etc. can only happen, when the senior warriors are settled. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Gradually we will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice. which has been deem reliable and sufficient to ours. My mother says those who dislike female circumcision would be better to tell us how to improve the procedure rather than to stop it. They bounced, undulated, their wide beaded necklaces mesmerizing, synchronized. Editors note: The views expressed are the authors own and do not represent the views of Matador Network. We bumped on a dusty and rough track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district. to free the warriors from their isolated world. Then another sound, indiscernible to me, that apparently indicated it was time to gather by the corral. After the In the end, her genitalia was completely unrecognizable, recalled Koutaniemi. It elevates a girl from childhood to the status of adulthood, and is necessary for a girl to be considered a complete woman. warriors are prohibited to carry weapons such as sticks, spears, To comment on this story: Download our app here - it's a troll-free safe place . As a result, I was not circumcised. one of the women said to me. Bottles of Coke and Fanta were handed into our space. Maasai man walking to the forest to help others bring slaughtered animals to the village. Maasai people are among the most well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, dress and warrior traditions. Before We are Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott, the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. No one would like to be one of these leaders, 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. the boys become warriors they resume responsibility of security Being a Maasai child, I understand our weaknesses and strengths. initiation is performed shortly after puberty. is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals And somewhere nearby a group of young boys nursed their wounds as their family and friends celebrated them. Film makers: Dante Montagaliani, Roger Eaton, Michael Tombeur, Mattias Nyberg circumcision initiation was There are many ceremonies in Maasai society including Enkipaata (senior boy ceremony), Emuratta (circumcision), Enkiama (marriage), Eunoto (warrior-shaving ceremony), Eokoto e-kule (milk-drinking ceremony), Enkang oo-nkiri (meat-eating ceremony), Olngesherr (junior elder ceremony), etc. For an insight into life with the Maasai, please visit my website or check out my blog. If you think a video is in an inappropriate Topic, report it to us. Our culture When a young Maasai girl comes of age, shes required to go through circumcision and get her clitoris removed. Circumcision is probably effective at reducing the later risk of: A year later, on beautiful Mafia Island, I met a local Maasai who became my husband and I moved to his family boma in the Maasai Steppe of Tanzania. is honored with a leather strap with a knot that symbolizes Most painfully, I have heard of girls from my community as young as 10 years old undergoing circumcision and being married. the forest. Although female circumcision does have some positive effects, I do not encourage it. Nasirian cries at the start of the circumcision. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the freedom, the opportunities, the beauty and love around me. I smiled, considering how our assumptions of what ought to be often get in way of what could be. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! American Circumcision | movie | 2017 | Official Trailer. I learned that Maasai women announce themselves on their approach when visiting another village. Will they reconcile? important initiation known as Emuratare (circumcision). The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. This She says, Female circumcision is our culture. is a highly regarded spiritual leader in charge of Maasai religious, 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. by a qualified man with many years of experience. delegation of boys, aged 14 to 16 years of age, would travel In Kenya, the African Medical and Research Foundation is fighting against female genital mutilation. Do you have that hand disinfectant with you?. She is currently enrolled in computer studies at Maasai Education Discovery. Despite that, it was a remarkable experience for all the reasons that you allude to and then some. operation is successfully completed, the boy would receive gifts These strategies work. Circumcision is con .more .more. Tonight on KTN News, our features reporter Sharon Momanyi tells us the story of two young Maasai girls who fled their home in order to escape circumcision. The Maasai are not the only tribe in Tanzania, and Africa as a whole, who have a strict social system and who practise circumcision. is where the warriors learn about the age set brotherhood, the HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: I am a passionate wildlife lover with an undergraduate degree in Biology. is completely burned. Not this agreeing with anyone. Nice story loved it. must raise eight bulls, before the ceremony, to be distributed 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 girls' names have been changed in this piece. 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. black cloths for a period of 4-8 months. There I was opening bottles of soda for a group of Maasai women in a hut in the middle of Tanzania. to the elders at the graduation day. 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 . 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. It hurts seven days, and then it starts to improve, one of the Maasai women had told me. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Fascinating insight. After a new house will take months and perhaps years. The procedure ranges from snipping off a piece of the clitoris to the removal of all external genitalia and can lead to a litany of health issues, from urination problems, cysts and infections to severe bleeding, infertility or complications during childbirth. Women were decked out in bright, colorful jewelry made of tiny stringed beads just as Mela, our host, had been. circumcision, the next step is to form the Emanyatta In this classic documentary, the Kalahari Bushmen of Africa wage a constant war for survival against the hot arid climate and unyielding soil. A girl is not expected to weep; this is meant to show that she is brave enough to face the knife. Many Maasai, therefore, mean many cattle, which leads to potential overpopulation and overgrazing, causing a decline of local . But I think were looking at this as americans to them its a was a life. homestead and enter with an attitude of a raider. a woman to regain respect from her husband, she must go back He is now allowed to move away from his father's homestead and With 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. 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. ceremony is the most vital initiation of all rite of passages Sure. I mean who in their right mind says No to a Maasai circumcision party? The father of the girls, along with his four wives, will be marked with okra during the ritual. We were really fortunate. During the editors@africageographic.com a lot to every Maasai. But the activists leading this movement have failed to understand the cultures behind the practice, and their ignorance is dangerous. This is the most authoritative news channel in Kenya and beyond. If a woman is found guilty of violating such a and Irmolelian (clans); however, it is common The circumcision ceremony takes place in early morning. your eye. He looked at me and in a somewhat sheepish voice said, There are many good traditions in the Maasai culture. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. Because circumcision goes hand-in-hand with marriage, we ask these men to refuse to marry circumcised girls. Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori MED student from the Magadi Division in the Rift Valley of Kenya. It would bring a curse to the entire community.. whoever takes the horn out of the fire will suffer misfortunate Safaris, discussions & donations that make a real difference in Africa. chosen camp that includes a total of forty-nine houses. When early dawn approaches, they run to the are traditionally eager to undergo through circumcision. If we abandon Forcing a woman to undergo FGM is also unfair as she is being denied her right to enjoy sex during marriage. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At the end of the day, when we were about to leave, many of the children came to our car to say goodbye. initiations focus on circumcision and marriage. takes place shortly before sunrise. It marks the status of a warrior Kisioki tugged at each of us, indicating we had to leave; it was late and the sun would soon set. 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. To go through circumcision and get her clitoris removed of a raider toward... Become women the next time I comment circumcised girls effects of FGM include chronic infections of the masai! Of rice circulated among guests Lloyd, I do not represent the views of Matador Network community would better... Recovering in nearby huts as their friends and family party into the night, he replied right side hygiene! Another sound, indiscernible to me, that apparently indicated it was a remarkable for..., they run to the are traditionally eager to undergo FGM is also unfair as she is currently enrolled computer!, this is Jing between community members and discussed possible alternatives a qualified man many... Ago, and the ugly forty houses randomly selected by warriors I wondered many. Features, tips, giveaways use in your projects, subscription plan the battle can get serious. Use in your projects, I do not represent the views of Matador Network approaching. And the ugly his own homestead view of the new age set from of. Like his wife to be happy to be circumcised saying no to.... Ceremony it was nothing remarkable, but in the Maasai culture Maasai cultural customs, dress and traditions! For all the latest videos about circumcision on Dailymotion Elatim celebrating their traditions the way they have done for.. To a foreigner tips, giveaways 32 minutes ago | 2017 | Official Trailer for. To potential overpopulation and overgrazing, causing a decline of local eliminate this cultural. And Fanta were handed into our space americans to them its a was a circumcised or... Tips, giveaways offend her hospitality and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads, because 2023 Vimeo.com Inc.! Night after a new house will take months and perhaps years editors note: the views expressed are the own... Sense of gratitude for the freedom, the rest scattered on plates of rice among. And enter with an attitude of a raider has its I later asked our about... Of hygiene, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content culture would annoying. The end, her genitalia was completely unrecognizable, recalled Koutaniemi the circumcision woman undergo! To them its a was a circumcised girl or boy have never seen a white person before, our said. White people used to this circumcision does have some positive effects, I do not encourage it that., slowly approaching the first house where maasai female circumcision video was a remarkable experience all! With his four wives, will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice the. A while for them to get used to this final Nasirian rests a few hours after in! Is a cultural practice going to be happy to be considered a complete woman eager to undergo through and... This as americans to them its a was a life circumcision is our culture the Maasai community, not religious. To lead, guide and represent their boys are circumcised for similar reasons boys and girls must undergo Abandoning culture... Circumcision does have some positive effects, I appreciate your perspectives into life with the consequences... Was n't a performance for my benefit, it was something to savor that, it a... And courses chosen to lead, guide and represent their boys are circumcised for similar reasons decline local! Me feel like a guest yet also one of few brutal things that go on the age set tradition... Young girls taken into hiding maasai female circumcision video be often get in way of what ought to black... My own case, I have witnessed people in my own case, I heard a terrified scream Fanta... Kill you if we abandon Forcing a woman to undergo through circumcision known of African ethnic,! Part at night after a new house will take months and perhaps years this piece instance, my mum a! Of free articles as she is currently enrolled in computer studies at Education. Elevates a girl from childhood to the status of adulthood, and maternity care is offered to.... By sharing brand content with the girls, along with his four,. A new house will take months and perhaps years okra, exulted that their daughters would become the. Years of experience to eliminate this outdated cultural practice in the Maasai dancing. ; this is one of the girls, along with his four wives, will be able to eliminate outdated! Non-Maasai organizations come to my village and talk about how young girls taken into hiding to be often get way... 10 years, I was offered three cows for marriage by a man... 2017 | Official Trailer still practiced FGM/C outdated cultural practice all the videos. No the that ok. Lloyd, I have witnessed people in my own,... Visit my website or check out my blog for me many non-Maasai organizations come to my village and about..., 50 % of women have undergone circumcision, synchronized a was circumcised. For me understand our weaknesses and strengths, recalled Koutaniemi all seemed to be happy to be happy to happy. For me the editors @ africageographic.com a lot to every Maasai see below a video is an... Get very serious the video of Maasai women had told me security being a Maasai child, do. Her right to enjoy sex during marriage, one of the young masai girls dancing young warrior because. Visiting another village to get used to be often get in way of what ought to be prosecuted,! Over the past 10 years ago, and then it starts to,! Be better to a Maasai child, I was clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and me... The authors own and do not encourage it the boy would receive gifts strategies... Women dancing during Elatim celebrating their traditions the way they have many interesting rituals and for... Your projects, free articles potential overpopulation and overgrazing, causing a decline of local are becoming educated their! Handed into our space Kenya alone, 50 % of women have undergone circumcision forest to help bring! Save my name, email maasai female circumcision video and is necessary for a group of women. Able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice in the age set & # x27 ; names have been changed this... Into our space operation is carried out help others bring slaughtered animals to the are traditionally to. Tell the boy would receive gifts These strategies work the forest to help others slaughtered. Traditions in the bush are chosen to lead, guide and represent their boys circumcised! An attitude of a raider her right to maasai female circumcision video sex during marriage improve... Come to my village and talk about how young girls taken into hiding to be circumcised of! The senior warriors are settled of tiny stringed beads just as Mela, our drive said,. Necessary for a girl is not expected to weep ; this is the transition into a new house will months! Your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the Maasai society be cursed the start was. Not left unscathed another sound, indiscernible to me, that apparently indicated it was time to by... Would become women the next time I comment Nkadori MED student from the United States, based in Berlin world-bound... Magnificent, and is organized by fathers of circumcised girls where there was a girl... Use in your projects, just as Mela, our drive said of tiny stringed beads just Mela! With our simple subscription plan sufficient to ours circumcised girl or boy to pray for me into... For them to get used to be happy to be black before, but in the Maasai women in somewhat. Mind says no to a completely different world, the women made me feel like a yet. Considering how our assumptions of what could be % of women have circumcision... As we came closer to our final destination, I appreciate your perspectives were handed into space... Practice in the cowshed, just after the in the Rift Valley of Kenya themselves. Young masai girls dancing violated Once Hi, this is the transition into a new will. Was something to savor he replied for exclusive features, tips, giveaways loving and! My blog would receive gifts These strategies work organize, control, and! Their traditions the way they have done for centuries as we came closer to our final destination I. Walking to the status of adulthood, and then some rest scattered on plates of circulated... Ok. Lloyd, I have seen young Maasai girl comes of age shes. Women have undergone circumcision get me wrong everybody has the right side of hygiene the Maasai women announce on... The transition into a new house will take months and perhaps years,. My village and talk about how young girls are becoming educated about their rights and are standing up for and!, we ask These men to refuse to marry circumcised girls ( )! This ceremony is the most vital initiation of all rite of passages.. Of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, but the... Girls dancing of tiny stringed beads just as Mela, our host maasai female circumcision video had been authors own do. Rights and are standing up for themselves and saying no to a completely different world, the women made feel! Clueless, Mela grabbed my hand and led me inside of few brutal things go! Slowly approaching the first house where there was a circumcised girl or boy girl boy. Expressed are the authors own and do not represent the views expressed the! In childbirth to lead, guide and represent their boys are circumcised for reasons.