What is Maasai female circumcision?
The type of circumcision that the Maasai perform is called clitoridectomy, in which the entire clitoris or part of the clitoris, and at times the adjacent labia, is removed. The primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage.
What is female circumcision in Samburu?
A young woman of the Samburu tribe in northern Kenya undergoes circumcision as an essential cultural rite before marriage. Women hold her mouth closed to mute her cries of pain. The following photos in this chapter were taken of another Samburu girl, “Juliana”, during different stages of the same ceremony.
What are the signs and symptoms of FGM?
Signs FGM might have taken place
- Having difficulty walking, standing or sitting.
- Spending longer in the bathroom or toilet.
- Appearing quiet, anxious or depressed.
- Acting differently after an absence from school or college.
- Reluctance to go to the doctors or have routine medical examinations.
How painful is FGM?
Almost all women who have undergone FGM experience pain and bleeding as a consequence of the procedure. The event itself is traumatic as girls are held down during the procedure. Risk and complications increase with the type of FGM and are more severe and prevalent with infibulations.
How are females circumcised in Kenya?
The surgery, also known as female circumcision, involves cutting or removing all or part of the external female genitalia. The procedure usually is performed in August and December — when schools are closed.
How does FGM affect childbirth?
What are the consequences for childbirth? A recent study found that, compared with women who had not been subjected to FGM, those who had undergone FGM faced a significantly greater risk of requiring a Caesarean section, an episiotomy and an extended hospital stay, and also of suffering post-partum haemorrhage.
Do Maasai men have more than one wife?
The Maasai accept polygamy as a way of life and these women grew up with fathers who had married several wives. The three wives claim to live harmoniously, though Alice, as the first wife, feels she has more authority than the others.