Why it is still practiced?
The short answer to this question is that FGM is practiced due to cultural and social factors.
Female Genital Mutilation is more of a cultural practice since it is performed by Christians, Muslims, and Animists alike. Christians and Muslims who practice FGM believe that it makes women more attractive for husbands and will deter them from committing sins.
There is no mention of FGM in the Quran; however, many use a Hadith (saying about the life of the prophet) between Muhammed and Um Habibah, (a woman known as an exciser of female slaves) to justify it. In the Hadith, Muhammad asks her if she kept practicing her profession, in which she answers: “unless it is forbidden, and you order me to stop doing it.” Muhammed replied: “Yes, it is allowed. Come closer so I can teach you: if you cut, do not overdo it, because it brings more radiance to the face, and it is more pleasant for the husband” (Sami A. Aldeeb Abu Sahlieh).
Female Genital Mutilation is more of a cultural practice since it is performed by Christians, Muslims, and Animists alike. Christians and Muslims who practice FGM believe that it makes women more attractive for husbands and will deter them from committing sins.
There is no mention of FGM in the Quran; however, many use a Hadith (saying about the life of the prophet) between Muhammed and Um Habibah, (a woman known as an exciser of female slaves) to justify it. In the Hadith, Muhammad asks her if she kept practicing her profession, in which she answers: “unless it is forbidden, and you order me to stop doing it.” Muhammed replied: “Yes, it is allowed. Come closer so I can teach you: if you cut, do not overdo it, because it brings more radiance to the face, and it is more pleasant for the husband” (Sami A. Aldeeb Abu Sahlieh).
What's it's Origin?
There is no exact evidence of FGM's true origin. The earliest recorded historical finding was traced to a circumscribes Egyptian mummies in the 5th century BC. There is a theory that the practice spread across the routes of the slave trade, extending from the western shore of the Red Sea to the southern, western African regions, or spread from the Middle East to Africa via Arab traders (Llamas)
Femal Genital Mutilation in the maasai Culture
One of the areas where FGM is prevalent is within the Maasai community. The Maasai are an indigenous African people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Maasai men control the community. The social structure for women is based off of the fact if they are married or not. The primary role of women is to take care of the home and family. Women are not allowed to divorce their husbands, and they are never allowed to remarry. Womens' lives are controlled by their parents and husbands; thus, a woman is only educated as much as their parents allow. This usually results in women living lives of poverty and hard work. Less than half of Maasai girls attend elementary school, and only 10% continue to secondary school.
The Maasai woman celebrates her rite of passage between the ages 11 to 14. Then, their fathers choose their husbands, who are often from a much older age group. These women are often one of several wives. Once married, a Maasai woman is expected to drop out of school and assume the duties of housework.
The rite of passage ceremony is seen as a joyous ceremony, in which the whole community comes together to celebrate. It is a cultural ceremony, not a religious one. The Maasai believe if a woman does not go through FGM, then she is a child and is unfit for marriage. FGM is therefore seen as the best economic option for daughters since it makes them more attractive to find a husband. There is also a belief that FGM will make women's desire for sex decrease, which will make them less likely to participate in premarital sex or adultery. Many women fear the procedure, but continue to participate because they fear the social repercussions and shame if they do not undergo it.
FGM is illegal in Kenya, so this makes it difficult for the Maasai people to continue their practice. This has led to the Maasai people to start the procedure when girls are younger, so the authorities do not notice. Often, girls will undergo the surgery before her ceremony, so when the authorities come it is already done. (“FGM among the Maasai Community of Kenya")
Maasai men control the community. The social structure for women is based off of the fact if they are married or not. The primary role of women is to take care of the home and family. Women are not allowed to divorce their husbands, and they are never allowed to remarry. Womens' lives are controlled by their parents and husbands; thus, a woman is only educated as much as their parents allow. This usually results in women living lives of poverty and hard work. Less than half of Maasai girls attend elementary school, and only 10% continue to secondary school.
The Maasai woman celebrates her rite of passage between the ages 11 to 14. Then, their fathers choose their husbands, who are often from a much older age group. These women are often one of several wives. Once married, a Maasai woman is expected to drop out of school and assume the duties of housework.
The rite of passage ceremony is seen as a joyous ceremony, in which the whole community comes together to celebrate. It is a cultural ceremony, not a religious one. The Maasai believe if a woman does not go through FGM, then she is a child and is unfit for marriage. FGM is therefore seen as the best economic option for daughters since it makes them more attractive to find a husband. There is also a belief that FGM will make women's desire for sex decrease, which will make them less likely to participate in premarital sex or adultery. Many women fear the procedure, but continue to participate because they fear the social repercussions and shame if they do not undergo it.
FGM is illegal in Kenya, so this makes it difficult for the Maasai people to continue their practice. This has led to the Maasai people to start the procedure when girls are younger, so the authorities do not notice. Often, girls will undergo the surgery before her ceremony, so when the authorities come it is already done. (“FGM among the Maasai Community of Kenya")
Sources
“FGM among the Maasai Community of Kenya.” IRIN, IRIN, 7 Jan. 2016, www.irinnews.org/news/2005/03/08/fgm-among
maasai-community-kenya.
Llamas, Jewel. “Female Circumcision: The History, the Current Prevalence and the Approach to a Patient.” Cultural Health Practices, Political and Historical Backgrounds, University of Virginia School of Medicine, https://med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2017/01/Llamas-Paper.pdf.
Sami A. Aldeeb Abu Sahlieh, “To Mutilate in the Name of Jehovah or Allah: Legitimization of Male and Female Circumcision,” Medicine and Law, July 1994, pp. 575-622.
maasai-community-kenya.
Llamas, Jewel. “Female Circumcision: The History, the Current Prevalence and the Approach to a Patient.” Cultural Health Practices, Political and Historical Backgrounds, University of Virginia School of Medicine, https://med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2017/01/Llamas-Paper.pdf.
Sami A. Aldeeb Abu Sahlieh, “To Mutilate in the Name of Jehovah or Allah: Legitimization of Male and Female Circumcision,” Medicine and Law, July 1994, pp. 575-622.