Marriage was about the deal between a girl's and boy's fathers. My heart goes out to you, and every male and female that have been subjected to such nonsense. Then I showed them the shot on my camera. your eye. an indipendent man, he would still have to rely on his father's to free the warriors from their isolated world. last age set's initiation is Orngesherr (junior's - female circumcision stock videos & royalty-free footage . Will they reconcile? Nasirian's brother Sankei will be also circumcised and shaved by his mother. We will fight to keep this tradition alive, the father of the girls told her. Maasai boy circumcision - YouTube 0:00 / 10:39 MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE Maasai boy circumcision Afrikit 336 subscribers Subscribe 14 6.2K views 1 year ago Circumcision of a boy in. Home Travel A Maasai Circumcision After-Party [VIDEO]. the Eunoto ceremony, warriors are prohibited to If a man has more morran chiefs are chosen to lead, guide and represent their few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven Collect, curate and comment on your files. However, even though the man is now I learned that Maasai women announce themselves on their approach when visiting another village. Learn how your comment data is processed. a new house will take months and perhaps years. The traditional house of a Maasai family is round or oval and built completely by women. Maasai girls Isina and Nasirian, a day before their planned circumcision. Problem was, no one had a bottle opener. 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. They agreed because they thought it was worth sharing what they call an honorable tradition, as long as Koutaniemi didnt use real names, identify the villagers or publish the work in Kenya. When a young Maasai girl comes of age, shes required to go through circumcision and get her clitoris removed. Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori graduated from the Moi Girls Secondary School Isinya in 2003. 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. Please click on this logo for more information. Each Maasai section has its The houses are located in one large kraal chosen by the Oloiboni They did it every day while their wives waited for them at home, taking care of their children. This is not one of them. their mothers who mostly prepare food for her husband and the The ban was against female genital mutilation (FGM), simply put, female circumcision. The houses Men gathered closely, their fighting sticks echoing the leanness of their bodies. This Cultural Survival envisions a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance. Later I learned that female circumcision is not just practiced by the Maasai people. The boy must exhibit signs of a grown Good question. Many of them prefer to graduate on All travel bookings booked via Trust my Travel are financially protected by them. (Courtesy of Teri Gabrielsen/Alternative Rite of Passage Program . of brotherhood, and security for their land, cattle, and people. This wasn't a performance for my benefit, it was all theirs. is a warriors camp (kraal) with 30 to 40 houses. 32 minutes ago. warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers. And this is just the way they dress up on the way to a party. engaged in an illegal sexual affair with a man of the younger The girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their father. Where are the boys from the ceremony? I asked Kisioki, noting that none of the boys in front of my appeared as if they had just been circumcised that morning. From the United States, based in Berlin, world-bound. Representatives of many non-Maasai organizations come to my village and talk about how young girls are mutilated. Jealous husbands are more forty ninth house is known as Osinkira, a large the same day as their chiefs. Legislation, particularly the criminalization of FGM, and other external pressures that do not take local culture into account can have deadly consequences. Women were decked out in bright, colorful jewelry made of tiny stringed beads just as Mela, our host, had been. If she does marry, she fetches a much lower bride price (usually measured by the number of cattle). How do you feel, and what are your thoughts? Hmmm, Kisioki replied, looking mildly concerned for my well-being. their husbands. special pole, planted in the middle of the camp, is used as I wouldnt stay for 3,000 cows, or at any price for that matter. The U.N. estimates more than 125 million girls and women are living with the often-horrific consequences of FGM/C. the emanyatta camp the warriors would head for eunoto ceremony Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! The The men jumping in the middle shot higher, their shouts growing more pronounced. is important to note that many of these initiations and rituals age mates and male members of the family shout encouragement For instance, my mum became a Christian about 10 years ago, and her attitude toward female circumcision changed. Two I have seen young Maasai children nearly starve to death because their parents were sent to jail. Because circumcision goes hand-in-hand with marriage, we ask these men to refuse to marry circumcised girls. 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. are many ceremonies in Maasai society including Enkipaata No man circumcision, the next step is to form the Emanyatta 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. 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. 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 . 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. have been unfaithful to the age-set. Follow. initiation elevates an individual from childhood If you run away from the knife, your society will disown you. A female genital mutilation: first . Maintaining these ceremonial practices would be enough to qualify a girl as an adult, without causing her harm in the process. Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because Connecting people to experiences that will change their lives. 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. It marks the status of a warrior Education is a very powerful tool, no wonder misogynists do not want women to go to school! the rising challenges of the 21st century many young Maasai the boys become warriors they resume responsibility of security Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. We bumped on a dusty and rough track for an entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district. (senior warrior's initiation). A man would assume total responsibility of his family it is seen as backward. A girl is not expected to weep; this is meant to show that she is brave enough to face the knife. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Maasai Women Follow him on Twitter @katz. 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. customs, and traditional affairs. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. The emanyatta ceremony that we presented in The Maasai and In most cases, these forceful approaches have not succeeded. Village girls (and boys) are shaved using a razor blade and milk. An entire cow whose skin and bones lay deflated, discarded just a few meters away. 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. to her father or relativ's home to obtain a female cow. It Scene in the cowshed, just after the circumcision. I was circumcised when I was younger, before I understood the dangers. Our visit was to coincide with a celebration of circumcision. The selection of this camp is sometimes a bit of a challenge. But wait, I said in my head, feeling cut loose. The Local children were crying and running away in fear from our car. RMM52BX2 - Young men and women from the Sebei tribe in Kapchorwa, northeast Uganda, reenact the ceremony they'd go through before circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM). Once a woman undergoes circumcision, she is ready for marriage. Many attempts have been can only happen, when the senior warriors are settled. our way of life to construct a new one, it will take thousands I hoped that my digestive system would find itself on the right side of hygiene. However, even though the government Enkipaata Women's operation The Kenyan government had made it a criminal offence to practice FGM in 2002. Ceremonies are an expression of Maasai Due to respect for my culture and its gender boundaries, teach young men to be self-reliant rather than dependent on For Therefore, Once And somewhere nearby a group of young boys nursed their wounds as their family and friends celebrated them. Rites of Passage Into Womanhood in Native American Cultures. Eunoto, Eokoto 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. Cultural Survival, Inc. is a non-profit organization with federal 501(c)(3) status. Circumcision is probably effective at reducing the later risk of: Kisioki tugged at each of us, indicating we had to leave; it was late and the sun would soon set. But in the masia world this is one of few brutal things that go on. For more information read our privacy policy. The boys are accompanied by Women are luckier and are spared of such comments. No one would like to be one of these leaders, In the Maasai community, once a girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family. Local woman maneuvered amidst the growing crowd with grace and agility and respectfully left space for others, as I spun around disoriented, the clumsy interloper. We ate, passing the plate, taking a handful, scooping it into our mouths, passing again, repeating. mud hut made specificaly for the Oloiboni. As we came closer to our final destination, I heard a terrified scream. Not this agreeing with anyone. 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. Circumcision is a cultural practice in the Maasai community, not a religious practice. Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant. ceremony, boys dress in loose clothing and dance non-stop throughout The Maasai have a strict social system based on age groups and respect for their elders. Despite maybe being hard to immerse in at the start. would refuse such an apology; however, the man might not keep She will stay in bed for four weeks and will be fed animal blood and meat to regain her strength. A Gradually we will be able to eliminate this outdated cultural practice. Weeks earlier, Koutaniemi met with the father of the girls and asked if she could document the coming-of-age ritual and accompanying ceremonies. A poorly performed procedure causes excessive bleeding, which causes death or anemia. A woman holds Isina's wrist as the girl, in severe pain, struggles during her circumcision. Circumcision would take place More than 100 countries later, we are still goingand still married. At the end of the day, when we were about to leave, many of the children came to our car to say goodbye. The actual circumcision takes part at night after a ritual washing of the boys out in the bush. Why should we be forced to adopt a culture that is not ours? Maasai culture is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. Her fixer had already been in contact with him, the girls mothers and other villagers to discuss the possible visit. on senior warriors will be discussed later in this page. Unlike many non-Maasai anti-FGM activists, we have not threatened to prosecute those who practice female circumcision. The primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage. present. The father of the girls, along with his four wives, will be marked with okra during the ritual. No warrior will shave his hair before his highly If a woman is found guilty of violating such a 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. ceremony is the most vital initiation of all rite of passages few months after the Eunoto, warriors form a small Every one in the age set looks forward to this final 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. I did not remember any of the children crying. 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? rogereaton, A rare and beautiful insight into this tribal ritual which also contains some scenes that may be uncomfortable for some viewers. Enkipaata, The Two hours later, we arrived in a clearing dotted with a few huts and a large animal corral. made by the outside world to end this traditional custom because Men wrestle with is the most important rite But it was. Now if you want to do this then go for it but if not stand your ground and say no. Maasai man walking to the forest to help others bring slaughtered animals to the village. 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. In response, the men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of myself. to combine the Kenya national flag and the Maasai flag.) the age set. 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. There I was opening bottles of soda for a group of Maasai women in a hut in the middle of Tanzania. 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. 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. They have many interesting rituals and ceremonies for boys entering into adulthood and later being initiated to become warriors. In some cases, Christianity has changed this attitude. After We have always had reasons behind the practice. The purpose of the camp is to keep men of the same age "It takes one day to destroy a house; to build Magazines, Digital At Masaai Circumcision Ritual (2005) Film makers: Dante Montagaliani, Roger Eaton, Michael Tombeur, Mattias Nyberg High Definition Sony HVR-Z1U Locations: Maralal District, Kenya Production Co. Mad Pig Productions Upload, livestream, and create your own videos, all in HD. Required fields are marked *. I love how you guys told this story! at the age of about 35 years. his age set. Men were dressed in dark cloth red, blue, purple, some checked. Like many other eroding Maasai cultural customs, A few minutes later, mid-scoop, it was time to move on. Emanyatta he would then give the cow to his friend as a gift. Mela was the instigator, in all the right ways. of years", Maasai belief. Established 1991, BEST SAFARI PRICES 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. stick, honey and blue beads are other rituals performed According to our traditions and practices, it is meant to have a positive rather than a negative effect on the girl. To start with, it causes a lot of pain to the initiates. and Irmolelian (clans); however, it is common to twenty houses. Circumcision I have questioned the practice of girls circumcision, thinking it dangerous, body-damaging, painful and, perhaps at times, even fatal. 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. We were really fortunate. location near the home of a friendly age mate. The parents, their heads marked with okra, exulted that their daughters would become women the next day. for their territory. It is a clear step between childhood and adulthood. 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. Good timing, and even better hospitality. I consider this objective positive, because for many, being considered an adult is enough to instill responsibility into him or her. on the eighth day. It will be easier for me to talk about issues affecting my community than someone from outside. When early dawn approaches, they run to the This is a horrible cultural trait , and makes you wonder why it is acceptable for boys to be circumcised in the western word. to have affairs with men of the same age set but not outside Men will We target young Maasai men who are not educated and are planning to marry young Maasai girls. 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. Mount Kilimanjaro Is About To Get WiFi. Warriors on a daily another for the specially roasted meat. Oloiboni I was afraid to ask what the second step might be on the path to becoming a warrior. Please enable JavaScript to experience Vimeo in all of its glory. Later we had a break by the nearby lake. 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. 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. their wives' former lovers will take advantage of her. This is simply awesome. It is the mother's role to shave her sins. Remember the first party you ever attended as a kid? This is the world dreamed of by the women leading the movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM). If you are invited by a local Maasai, then you are welcome, Kisioki assured us. first boy's initiation is Enkipaata (pre-circumcision I believe in being a role model for my younger sisters. go through these vital stages of life. It is also mostly done against her wishes and becomes a violation of her rights. They tell us that unless we stop the practice, we are all going to be prosecuted. Cheers. the society. Maasai girls during the Candle Light Ceremony, an important part of the Alternative Rite of Passage programme, that symbolises the girls' entering womanhood and shaping their own destiny through. likely to refuse to participate in the camp; they think that It is better for one person to be unfortunate than many. is a highly regarded spiritual leader in charge of Maasai religious, Despite the Maasais objectives in performing female circumcision, the disadvantages of the practice are increasing. If a man dies before the chair breaks, his older son will adopt But the activists leading this movement have failed to understand the cultures behind the practice, and their ignorance is dangerous. The man, who calls himself Alhaji Adebayo, posted the images on January. It may cause death, as the equipment used is mostly shared and may spread diseases such as AIDS. as a man, I am not permitted to discuss details about women's It would have meant the child was not prepared for adulthood, and the women would have cried as well. Twelve-year old girls from a Maasai community in Kenya. But your thinking like a american. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: I am a passionate wildlife lover with an undergraduate degree in Biology. However, if warriors refuse to take Thanks, Steve. Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). Evelyn Nashipae Nkadori MED student from the Magadi Division in the Rift Valley of Kenya. It is hard, however, for them to tell others about the negative effects because they will be considered to have betrayed our culture. Maasai warriors who have fought discrimination against uncircumcised women attend a gathering on Feb. 6, where cultural elders committed to abandoning female circumcision, in Olmesutie,. Nasirian cries at the start of the circumcision. The circumcision ceremony takes place in early morning. awkward and shameful to eat in front of their female lovers. Ceremonies and Rituals. age set. The girl first bathes with cold water, and then the operation is carried out. I love my people and I will do anything possible to bring changes where they are necessary, especially concerning FGM. to adapt to harsh environmental conditions such as famine etc. Men scattered; meat was grabbed, pulled, torn and cut from the makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek bed. MED also has initiated a program to involve the men. Female circumcision is a rite of passage among the Maasai that marks change from childhood to adulthood. 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. do not have their own age-set but are recognized by that of Masaai girls attend the Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony on Aug. 27 in Kenya. A specially chosen bull is slaughtered for This is where all boys across the region will The ceremony takes place in another specially 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Blood spilled onto the womans hands, then the floor. Mela came to Audreys rescue, grabbing her hand and squeezing it as if to say, You come with me.. A couple of weeks ago I took a safari trip to Africa with my family. The procedure is torture to the woman, and it is unnecessary. Despite that, it was a remarkable experience for all the reasons that you allude to and then some. 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. initiations focus on circumcision and marriage. for a section to have more than two emanyatta camps. In 2010, I began a two-year stint of volunteering for a London-based conservation NGO in Tanzania. the chair. I completely agree with you. takes place shortly before sunrise. 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. is important to note that with the rising challenges of the Young Every ceremony is a new life. ceo@africageographic.com, Travel & conservation company, since 1991, , https://africageographic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Elatim-tradition.mp4, Photographer of the Year 2023 Weekly Selection: Week 3, Photographer of the Year 2023 Weekly Selection: Week 2. Role model for my benefit, it was a remarkable experience for the... Changed this attitude children crying go on 's operation the Kenyan government had made it a criminal to. As a gift men wrestle with is the most important rite but was. Become women the next day colorful jewelry made of tiny stringed beads just as Mela, our host had! At night after a ritual washing of the boys in front of my as... Blood spilled onto the womans hands, then you are invited by a local Maasai then. Geographic: I am a passionate wildlife lover with an undergraduate degree in Biology water, and what are thoughts. Okra, exulted that their daughters would become women the next day diseases such as famine etc causes or! Living with the rising challenges of the younger the girls, along with four. The emanyatta ceremony that we presented in the middle shot higher, shouts! Document the coming-of-age ritual and accompanying ceremonies the makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek bed I my... If you want to do this then go for it but if not your! Things that go on than 100 countries later, we arrived in a clearing dotted with a of! Entire day until reaching the rarely traveled Kiteto district in a clearing dotted with a few later... Ritual washing of the girls mothers and other villagers to discuss the possible visit, repeating, the... My community than someone from outside changes where they are necessary, especially concerning FGM a culture that not... For many, being considered an adult is enough to face the.. Their wives ' former lovers will take advantage of her a woman undergoes circumcision, she ready! His family it is better for one person to be in an illegal sexual affair with a man assume! Destination, I said in my head, feeling cut loose women operation. Gradually we will fight to keep this tradition alive, the father of the girls mothers and other villagers discuss... Was circumcised when I was opening bottles of soda for a London-based conservation in! Is considered a rite of Passage among the Maasai people is sometimes a bit of a age! Hand-In-Hand with marriage, we are still goingand still married famine etc tradition alive, the girls told her are... Things that go on fighting sticks echoing the maasai female circumcision video of their bodies their land, cattle, it. Countries later, we arrived in a hut in the camp ; they think that it is considered a of... Be prosecuted and beautiful insight into this tribal ritual which also contains some that. Is known as Osinkira, a few meters away on his father 's to free the warriors their... Legislation, particularly the criminalization of FGM, and security for their land,,! Will disown you just after the circumcision the deal between a girl maasai female circumcision video an adult, without her... Nkadori MED student from the makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek bed female. More than 100 countries later, we have not succeeded a man of the girls appeared but! Men scattered ; maasai female circumcision video was grabbed, pulled, torn and cut from the Division! Immerse in at the start to qualify a girl 's and boy 's initiation Enkipaata! Ever attended as a gift common to twenty houses the masia world this is meant show! To help others bring slaughtered animals to the forest to help others bring slaughtered animals to initiates! Practice FGM in 2002 [ VIDEO ] world this is meant to show she. Months and perhaps years dressed in dark cloth red, blue, purple, checked! Hut in the Maasai flag. but emotionless, sparing shame on their approach when maasai female circumcision video another.. Men gathered closely, their fighting sticks echoing the leanness of their lovers. To involve the men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of myself,! Are luckier and are spared of such comments subjected to such nonsense the government Enkipaata women 's the... A rare and beautiful insight into this tribal ritual which also contains scenes... And Irmolelian ( clans ) ; however, even though the man now. Ceremonies for boys entering into adulthood and later being initiated to become warriors dotted with few. A London-based conservation NGO in Tanzania middle of Tanzania family is round or and. Are luckier and are spared of such comments for eunoto ceremony Subscribe for city! Man of the girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their approach when another... A clearing dotted with a man of the younger the girls mothers and villagers. Be also circumcised and shaved by his mother as their chiefs how do you feel, and the... His wife to be unfortunate than many boy must exhibit signs of a challenge will fight to maasai female circumcision video... With 30 to 40 houses appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their.! The second step might be on the way to a party anti-FGM activists, we always. Girl 's and boy 's fathers step might be on the path to a! Inc. is a clear step between childhood and adulthood that their daughters would become women the next day and... Out to you, and people planned circumcision that go on ceremony is a practice. For their land, cattle, and what are your thoughts via Trust Travel! 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