Damned if they do; Damned if they don't

Lioness · (#1 (**permalink**))

In the International Womens' Day supplement in the Daily Nation last week there was a very disturbing article by Njoki Karuoya about the culture of Ushanga practised by the Samburu tribe (probably other tribes have similar practices).

If you haven't heard of this, this is the practise that allows a moran who has been circumcised to choose an unmarried girl as his girlfriend. According to the report, she can be between the ages of 8yrs and 25yrs! The moran gives her a beaded necklace that he has woven himself to indicate his intention to make her his gf. If she refuses he can appeal to her father, uncles,etc and she then has no choice in the matter.

Once 'beaded' the girl is expected to construct a makeshift manyatta near her home where she and the moran shall meet. As you can imagine, no contraception is given and/or used so the poor girls get pregnant. The women in the village have to protect the girls reputation, so they perform abortions in the most cruel manner and in unsanitary conditions. I quote from the article, "Paradoxically the girls are not expected to become pregnant before marriage"!!

Now, now my fellow Kenyans, what are your comments on this practise vis-a-vis abortion, HIV/AIDS, sexual contact with minors, etc? Why should we allow such practises? Should we defend it on the basis of culture? Of what benefit is it to the community and country?

The Lioness has spoken :)

muombaji · (#2 (**permalink**))

God help us! i never even knew such a barbaric custom existed in Kenya. it seems the women rights movement in kenya has a long way to to. this is cruel and unjust punishment for the gal. imagine ati 8-25yrs. this is "legalized" rape of minors coz i'm sure the men choose young gals. i hope FIDA will take up this case. this practice needs to be condemned in the strongest terms!

IKO SWALI!

Mark Twist Thuo · (#3 (**permalink**))

Lioness

This sounds strangely far fetched a notion on the authors part. Is there a link to this story?

http://www.arsenal.com/timages/logo1.gif

SHEILA · (#4 (**permalink**))

I have heard of this before but the part about abortions.....???
I think before we just believe what The Nation wrote and start condemning the Samburu people, thus undermining our peoples intelligence, we need to hear from a Samburu if this is true.
I need details. I have had it with media distortion and stretching.

Lioness · (#5 (**permalink**))

Sorry MTT I don't have the link and I'm not sure that there's one. I've contacted Nation about it and requested that they create a link for the entire supplement; I'm awaiting their response.

The Lioness has spoken :)