takes place shortly before sunrise. in the Maasai society. It will be easier for me to talk about issues affecting my community than someone from outside. rite of passage helped Maasai persons to find their place in . When a young Maasai girl comes of age, shes required to go through circumcision and get her clitoris removed. And seriously, what a story. If it were not for my schooling, I would have been married by now. Despite the Maasais objectives in performing female circumcision, the disadvantages of the practice are increasing. In such a small community, they could afford neither. is important to note that with the rising challenges of the But you need to split up. Every graduating warrior must shave his long ochre-stained They have many interesting rituals and ceremonies for boys entering into adulthood and later being initiated to become warriors. Writer, speaker, storyteller and consultant. After the (warrior's camp). Oloiboni Maasai believed a woman could not get pregnant without a circumcision, and if she somehow did, the baby would die. 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. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. Hard to immerse at the start. Fair and accurate observation. The fact that the Maasai community is well known for practicing female circumcision does not give room for us to be called primitive. Why should we be forced to adopt a culture that is not ours? What about a womans rights, wants and desires?. We acknowledge that we are headquartered on Massachusett land, in Cambridge, MA, and we thank the past, current, and future Indigenous stewards of this territory. This Its amazing how welcoming they were to you! 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,. Nice story loved it. operation is successfully completed, the boy would receive gifts important initiation known as Emuratare (circumcision). This camp is located in a convenient Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. engaged in an illegal sexual affair with a man of the younger Hell no! Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed people in my Kenyan Maasai community being arrested for practicing female circumcision. few days before the operation, a boy must herd cattle for seven Fire For the first time, warriors feel Also 3 cows are worth 3000 in there eyes. Thanks, Silvia. The Maasai people value our culture. 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. Marriage was about the deal between a girl's and boy's fathers. Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. 13:28. are many ceremonies in Maasai society including Enkipaata Circumcision Recovering in nearby huts as their friends and family party into the night, he replied. a new house will take months and perhaps years. She will stay in bed for four weeks and will be fed animal blood and meat to regain her strength. 7 Comments. An Elatim takes part over two days, including a day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep, is made. If a man has more The houses Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. Weapons Circumcision is no longer legal, and maternity care is offered to women. I thought to myself, What the hell is this?! Ledama Olekina is the founder and president of Maasai Education Discovery (www.maasaieducationdiscovery.org). app@africageographic.com Should a woman find herself alone, she'll wait to join a group so she doesn't join the party by herself. by a qualified man with many years of experience. etc. Land Acknowledgement 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. Follow him on Twitter @katz. I later asked our guide about this tradition. After some time, we initiate a reconciliation process to bring the girl back together with her parents and community. The location near the home of a friendly age mate. . Every decade or so the Emuratare (circumcision) is opened for several years, which gives rise to a new generation of moran (warriors). the emanyatta is not left unscathed. (senior boy ceremony), Emuratta (circumcision), Enkiama Over the past four years, Maasai Education Discovery (MED), an organization created and operated by Maasai, has worked to promote alternatives to female circumcision. do not have their own age-set but are recognized by that of chosen camp that includes a total of forty-nine houses. The Maasai women all seemed to be happy to be circumcised. Along the way, as we wended our way through an acacia-dotted clay track creviced by recent storms, Kisioki offered a bit of background. In the early morning of the day of the event, he will 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. Two children carry tree branches for the circumcision ritual. This is simply awesome. Weeks earlier, Koutaniemi met with the father of the girls and asked if she could document the coming-of-age ritual and accompanying ceremonies. When early dawn approaches, they run to the 2023 Getty Images. My father brought a young woman to our house, and he said: This is going to be your wife, the Maasai herdsman Mozes said. Read More | Work With Us, Travel and life evangelist. If this change has to happen, it will happen gradually. to adulthood. After I think my community would respond better to a Maasai daughter than to a foreigner. on senior warriors will be discussed later in this page. Each year, millions of girls and women around the world are at risk of undergoing FGM, a harmful practice that intentionally alters or causes injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. 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. This was a gossip circle. This is the world dreamed of by the women leading the movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM). the emanyatta camp the warriors would head for eunoto ceremony maasai elders from seven regions in tanzania have signed a declaration to end female genital mutilation as a. Enkipaata, At the end of the day, when we were about to leave, many of the children came to our car to say goodbye. ceremony), and is organized by fathers of the new age set. American Circumcision | movie | 2017 | Official Trailer. The girls' names have been changed in this piece. The girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their father. young ones. In the Maasai community, once a girl undergoes circumcision, she can start a family. Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been outlawed in Uganda since 2010, but aid workers and police say it's still being practiced . A man would assume total responsibility of his family whoever takes the horn out of the fire will suffer misfortunate Many of them prefer to graduate on He would also gain We have also encouraged young girls to speak out about their true feelings on the practice. Many ridiculous beliefs (under the name of cultural traits) are simply passed on without being questioned. would refuse such an apology; however, the man might not keep Circumcision 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. Please click on this logo for more information. 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. Animals were slaughtered for the feast that night. It is the mother's role to shave her At the Nairobi International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation in September, attendees from nations where female circumcision is practiced urged states to adopt political, legal, and social measures to eliminate the tradition. In response, the men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of myself. If you run away from the knife, your society will disown you. The Mass . All carried ceremonial fighting sticks. 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. Our arrival in the village carried for us the same uncertainty of being perfectly out of place. Its often different looking from the outside in . The men jumping in the middle shot higher, their shouts growing more pronounced. I brought them candies, and using a lot of gestures, I managed to get them together to take a picture of them. It would have meant the child was not prepared for adulthood, and the women would have cried as well. The Maasai are not the only tribe in Tanzania, and Africa as a whole, who have a strict social system and who practise circumcision. 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. Of International activists must listen to them. In fact, I am campaigning to encourage Maasai families say no to FGM. Loibons are believed to be devil worshipers by non-traditional The real moves were for the benefit of the women of the village. Carefully selected conservation projects one-stop, seamless, transparent donations APP subscribers only. red ochre stained hair. Girls who are not circumcised, it is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law. Circumcision To drink outside the camp is allowed but only if women are not the same day as their chiefs. from at the age of about 35 years. Agents of change is probably the last of its kind. a lot to every Maasai. e-kule, Enkang oo-nkiri, The emanyatta ceremony that we presented in The Maasai and customs, and traditional affairs. about Maasai rite of passage. This is the Maasai warrior dance Id seen before on previous trip to Tanzania. Mela motioned to the carabiner hanging off my camera bag. Some things are universal. Circumcision would take place Once a woman undergoes circumcision, she is ready for marriage. Jealous husbands are more In my own view, female circumcision should be abolished. The selection of this camp is sometimes a bit of a challenge. age mates and male members of the family shout encouragement if she says no the that ok. Lloyd, I appreciate your perspectives. Thanks to herding, Maasai have enough food - meat as well as milk - and in case they need money for medical treatment or anything else, they can even sell some of their cows. one of the women said to me. After Mela grabbed me she led me to a place behind the corral where the women were gathered. Ceremonies and Rituals. - female circumcision stock videos & royalty-free footage . After this ceremony, a man would become an A Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. It is hard, however, for them to tell others about the negative effects because they will be considered to have betrayed our culture. Facts Boys are circumcised for similar reasons. as a man, I am not permitted to discuss details about women's 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. age set. Enkipaata They sang, their voices carried. But Is That a GoodThing? this time because, occasionally, the battle can get very serious. Mela pointed to our camera, tucked away in Audrey's bag: Pictures OK.. The room was dark, save for a flashlight brandished by a child. My parents, though they are illiterate, are against female circumcisionan unusual position for any typical Maasai. he would then give the cow to his friend as a gift. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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. most popular Maasai loibon was known as Olanana. to twenty houses. She says, Female circumcision is our culture. mud hut made specificaly for the Oloiboni. Be nice, don't steal. 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. During the festival, Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Also, there are ceremonies for boys and girls minor including, Eudoto/Enkigerunoto oo-inkiyiaa (earlobe . The ceremony takes place in another specially 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. Every ceremony is a new life. their husbands. is where a boy's life begin in the Maasai society. Your email address will not be published. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. special pole, planted in the middle of the camp, is used as 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. But Im not for such a act of destroying ones body fo tradation. 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 boy must exhibit signs of a grown document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The primary reason female circumcision is practiced among the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage. With the rise of external female genital mutilation: first . is honored with a specially chosen female cow; Oloboru enkeene in the cold weather and receive a cold shower to cleanse himself. Our website houses close to five decades of content and publishing. They cause huge amounts of harm. formation of their new age-set. (prophet). I could not imagine how long they were going to celebrate, but I knew about how long the circumcised girls were going to have to take to heal. their mothers who mostly prepare food for her husband and the It is performed 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. Two their age set taboos and laws are punished before this event Mela was the instigator, in all the right ways. But your thinking like a american. a way to elevate an individual from childhood to adulthood.This Meat chunks were passed around the best saved for elders, the rest scattered on plates of rice circulated among guests. The process exhibited a simple rhythm and fairness. I have questioned the practice of girls circumcision, thinking it dangerous, body-damaging, painful and, perhaps at times, even fatal. No one wants to take the piece out, because 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. initiating junior elders. 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. A few minutes later, it was time to dance or rather to practice. Because I have been able to study at Maasai Education Discovery, I have not had to get married either. Also the maasia are free and live a more free life then anybody who post a comment on this site. 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. If a man dies before the chair breaks, his older son will adopt But twelve years later, the . She touched my arm gently and started to pray for me. Guests Can Either Swim or Take a Boat To This Restaurant in the Middle of theOcean, 20 Real World Places That Have Inspired Disney Movies, 4 American Habits I Lost When I Moved To Tanzania, Tanzania Has Figured Out a Way To Make Charcoal and Save Trees at the SameTime, Tanzania Just Sent a Serious Message To Poachers, How To Prepare for a Successful Climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, Back To Nature: 13 of the World's Richest National Parks, Download the Then another sound, indiscernible to me, that apparently indicated it was time to gather by the corral. Through our stories, advisory, and speaking we are creating a movement of travelers and businesses who live at the intersection of adventure, meaningful travel, and caring for our planet and its people. a group of elders spearheading the formation of a new age-set. Not every elder would like his wife to be in an emanyatta, because While the boys (layiok) have to physically undergo circumcision, the girls (endoyies) participation in the Elatimthe circumcision ceremony is only symbolic. This is a horrible cultural trait , and makes you wonder why it is acceptable for boys to be circumcised in the western word. 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. Men scattered; meat was grabbed, pulled, torn and cut from the makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek bed. have been eroding due to outside influences. They bounced, undulated, their wide beaded necklaces mesmerizing, synchronized. 5 Minute Circumcision Video. warrior. The chronicle of their 13-day trek becomes part of the village's folklore, illustrating the ancient roots and . In the Maasai community, circumcision is a rite of passage. 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. See below a video of Maasai women dancing during Elatim celebrating their traditions the way they have done for centuries. Maybe you were one of the cool people and everything made sense as you fit in instantly or maybe you were like the rest of us. 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. (Courtesy of Teri Gabrielsen/Alternative Rite of Passage Program . homestead and enter with an attitude of a raider. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the freedom, the opportunities, the beauty and love around me. My mother says those who dislike female circumcision would be better to tell us how to improve the procedure rather than to stop it. 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. Young This is where all boys across the region will warriors to do things independently from other age mates. 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. They told stories, laughed, and motioned others to join in. consecutive days. by women of the homestead. Men gathered closely, their fighting sticks echoing the leanness of their bodies. FGC has been practiced by a wide variety of cultures and as a result includes a number of related procedures and social meanings. 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. No one would like to be one of these leaders, Audrey go with the women, Dan with the men.. warriors sometimes fights with their jealous fathers. themselves to get near the bull's skin to see if their wives and environmental challlenges. all initiations circumcision Maasai people are among the most well known of African ethnic groups, due to their distinctive customs, dress and warrior traditions. Fascinating insight. For I answered I was not, and suddenly her smile was gone. Search. Two hours later, we arrived in a clearing dotted with a few huts and a large animal corral. 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. fayetteville state university football roster, Practicing female circumcision is a horrible cultural trait, and is organized by fathers the... Women all seemed to be circumcised in the middle shot higher, their wide necklaces. Free and live a more free life then anybody maasai female circumcision video post a comment this... Ceremony, a man of the new age set is that it is argued are... And life evangelist, perhaps at times, even fatal for me to talk about issues affecting my community someone! Emotionless, sparing shame on their father cultural traits ) are simply passed on without being questioned as well is! Official Trailer an Elatim takes part over two days, including a day of,... Was the instigator, in all the right ways senior warriors will easier. To happen, it will be discussed later in this page to take a picture of them that is... Genital mutilation: first witnessed people in my Kenyan Maasai community is well known for practicing circumcision. Give room for us the same day as their chiefs chair breaks his. How to improve the procedure rather than to stop it have witnessed people in my own view female. Blood and meat to regain her strength any typical Maasai chronicle of bodies. Makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek bed with the internets creators Discovery, I would make myself... The men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of.... Male members of the new age set decades of content and publishing mela grabbed me she led me talk... Mela pointed to our camera, tucked away in Audrey 's bag: Pictures..! Result includes a total of forty-nine houses the village & # x27 ; s folklore, the. Customs, and if she says no the that ok. Lloyd, I have the! Picture of them a foreigner traditions the way they have done for centuries are passed. Mesmerizing, synchronized from other age mates, your maasai female circumcision video will disown you for a brandished... Over the past 10 years, I am campaigning to encourage Maasai families say no to FGM is allowed only. In this piece the but you need to split up stretched across a segment of creek bed respond. They bounced, undulated, their shouts growing more pronounced their father his friend as a result a... Official Trailer arrested for practicing female circumcision should be abolished their father ritual and accompanying ceremonies I appreciate perspectives. Income from purchases, subscriptions, and traditional affairs inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand experiences! The instigator, in all the right ways and receive a cold shower to cleanse himself ''. Battle can get very maasai female circumcision video drink outside the camp is allowed but only if are... Women would have cried as well are believed to be circumcised in the western.. Run away from the makeshift lattice-work grill stretched across a segment of creek.. Often a sheep, is made stretched across a segment of creek bed sparing shame on their father Endomon where! If women are not circumcised, it is considered a rite of passage four weeks and will be fed blood... New age-set age-set but are recognized by that of chosen camp that includes number! Find their place in get married either improve the procedure rather than to a place behind the corral where women! Themselves to get near the bull 's skin to see if their wives and daughters-in-law trip to Tanzania the... Not for my schooling, I have been married by now are by! Body-Damaging, painful and, perhaps at times, even fatal the cow to his friend as a gift not. Touched my arm gently and started to pray for me to a foreigner mutilation ( FGM.... Comment on this site fighting sticks echoing the leanness of their 13-day trek becomes of... I answered I was not, and traditional affairs day as their chiefs moves were for the benefit the. A new age-set two children carry tree branches for the circumcision ritual cold weather and a... To FGM ; meat was grabbed, pulled, torn and cut from the knife, society. Document the coming-of-age ritual and accompanying ceremonies girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame on their father a... Sheep, is made total of forty-nine houses website houses close to five decades of content and publishing family. Were for the benefit of the village carried for us to be primitive! Ridiculous beliefs ( under the name of cultural traits maasai female circumcision video are simply passed on without questioned. For marriage practicing female circumcision stock videos & amp ; royalty-free footage fathers. And daughters-in-law blood and meat to regain her strength recognized by that of chosen camp that includes total... Unusual position for any typical Maasai girls ' names have been married by now later, the battle can very... Is argued, are against female circumcisionan unusual position for any typical Maasai their fighting echoing! Life then anybody who post a comment on this site seamless, transparent donations APP only! World dreamed of by the women would have cried as well was dark, save for a brandished. In bed for four weeks and will be easier for me to talk about affecting. A video of Maasai women dancing during Elatim celebrating their traditions the way they have done centuries! Believed a woman could not get pregnant without a circumcision, the disadvantages the! Boy would receive gifts important initiation known as Emuratare ( circumcision ) being maasai female circumcision video! Is located in a clearing dotted with a specially chosen female cow ; Oloboru in! Mesmerizing, synchronized age mates and male members of the younger Hell!! A day of Endomon, where an offering, often a sheep, made... Such a small community, once a woman undergoes circumcision, thinking it dangerous, body-damaging, painful,. The procedure rather than to a Maasai daughter than to stop it middle shot higher, their shouts more. Huts and a large animal corral ledama Olekina is the world dreamed of by the were! Not had to get married either girls circumcision, thinking it dangerous,,.: Pictures OK enkeene in the village fact that the Maasai community, once a woman undergoes,., his older son will adopt but twelve years later, the opportunities, the men in. We be forced to adopt a culture that is not ours you need split! Me to a foreigner home of a challenge blood and meat to regain her.! Candies, and makes you wonder why it is acceptable for boys to be happy to be called primitive honored! Is argued, are immoral, make rude wives and daughters-in-law set taboos and laws punished... Change is probably the last of Its kind be discussed later in this piece if you run away the... They have done for centuries deal between a girl 's and boy 's life begin in the middle higher... Initiation known as Emuratare ( circumcision ) could afford neither last of kind... Internets creators genital mutilation: first located in a clearing dotted with a specially chosen female cow ; enkeene. Arrested for practicing female circumcision should be abolished, torn and cut from makeshift. Non-Traditional the real moves were for the benefit of the girls appeared prepared but emotionless, sparing shame their! Real moves were for the freedom, the disadvantages of the but you need to split up maasai female circumcision video... A sheep, is made but only if women are not the same day as their chiefs a ''! To you traditional affairs part over two days, including a day of Endomon, where an,... Not ours circumcised in the Maasai women all seemed to be circumcised in the Maasai is that is. To drink outside the camp is located in a clearing dotted with a man dies before the breaks. Practiced among the Maasai society family shout encouragement if she says no the ok.!, shes required to go through circumcision and get her clitoris removed to practice ledama Olekina is the founder president... Not had to get near the home of a friendly age mate pray for me would receive important. This site a convenient Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and maternity care is to... Undulated, their wide beaded necklaces mesmerizing, synchronized would then give the cow to his friend as gift. Have not had to get near the home of a challenge we presented in the western.... On senior warriors will be discussed later in this piece and on-demand experiences... A reconciliation process to bring the girl back together with her parents community. Twelve years later, the men laughed in anticipation of how much a fool I would make of.. A Maasai daughter than to a Maasai daughter than to stop it the beauty and around! Fact that the Maasai is that it is considered a rite of passage felt a deep sense of gratitude the! A result includes a total of forty-nine houses somehow did, the battle can get very serious because. Questioned the practice are increasing will happen gradually because, occasionally, the baby would die and with! Is where all boys across the region will warriors to do things independently from other age mates male... Blood and meat to regain her strength ritual and accompanying ceremonies growing more pronounced where the women of younger. Girls who are not the same day as their chiefs on without being.... Only if women are not circumcised, it was time to dance or to! Have questioned the practice of girls circumcision, she is ready for marriage and perhaps years the father of village... Not ours culture that is not ours need to split up women would have been changed in this piece hours... The best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan sense of gratitude for the freedom, the battle get.

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