By Israel Ojekeh Parper Snr
WESTERN EMOTIVE APPROACH TO BUNDO CULTURE USING THE AGGRESSIVELY EMOTIONAL DISCHARGED WORD "MUTILATION" ENGADED TO DEVALUE THE MORE MILDER VISION OF THE PROCEDURE OF "CIRCUMCISION"!
Why is it "MUTILATION"? Why not F G C (Female circumcision?) Men are circumcised but why are women mutilated...or, is that it.?
The question of whether the practice must/should stop is another debate in itself. The deliberate choice of the term "MUTILATION"(sic) is a skilful manipulation and evocation of emotions against the society's practice by Anti-Female attitude breakers.
Of course in Sierra Leone, this is a woman's secret society and not for men to dabble into nor especially for the Krios/Creoles. But there are many, many well to do highly placed, educated well brought up women who do not see themselves as being "MUTILATED"; for the use of this term and what it connotes, devalue the 'dignity' (as the society sees it) which is being projected or purported to be good for girls and young women undergoing the process for their future marital/ home development.
Of course Anti-practitioners see the entire process as against women's rights forgetting that the very Human Rights Law provides rights/freedom for everyone to do what she thinks is right with her body post maturity, (18 years); which I understand the Minister is advocating. This proposition portends to protect the Bundo Society and its ancient culture minus the "cutting" practice of female circumcision. Perhaps there is a case for that approach if we are to maintain and safeguard long standing cultural values and practice. So, those having the opportunity may study/learn Home Economics in a school environment (developed from long ago 'Cookery', Needle Work, certain domestic chores which even education pioneers like Castly Hayford could not successful implement).
These Bundo girls and young are said to be taught practical disciplines that prepare them for future house wives. In all medical procedures improvements are made these days- perhaps the Society and the world will gain more if the surgical technics are improved and the identified risks are eliminated. I have NO PERSONAL INTEREST in the merits or demerits of Bundo practices: I just grew up in a country where it is part of our culture, like the Men PORO, or the SANDE, or WANDE, OJEH, OGUNUGU, ORO, HUNTING (and I don't mean Paddle, Bloody Mary 'Kaka debul' type Ordele).
Why should we allow WESTERN definitions and labels to devalue and eradicate our cultural heritages - what's the next stop if not BUNDO MUTILATION??
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A TEENAGER'S POINTS OF VIEW!!
THE THOUGHTS OF A SIERRA LEONEAN TEENAGER
BY EUNICE NAFFIE MUSTAPHA
From time immemorial THE THOUGHTS OF A SIERRA LEONEAN TEENAGER
I FULLY SUPPORT THE BONDO SOCIETY BUT I SAY NO TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)!!! societies have been an integral part of Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage. The Bondo Society for women, Poro Society for men and other secret societies. These societies serve as informal educational institutions. Girls learn domestic and other skills that help them throughout their lives, while boys learn skills that help them to adapt in the society at large.
BY EUNICE NAFFIE MUSTAPHA
From time immemorial secret societies have been an integral part of Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage. The Bondo Society for women, Poro Society for men and other secret societies. These societies serve as informal educational institutions. Girls learn domestic and other skills that help them throughout their lives, while boys learn skills that help them to adapt in the society at large.
These societies create a strong bond among initiates and it involves a lot of respect bestowed on society members. These societies played important political roles in pre-colonial days and they still have an influence over traditional authorities.
The Bondo Society is very useful in Sierra Leone, our mothers and grandmothers benefitted a lot from it. They became good housewives, learning the skills of cooking, child care etc. They were taught the act of matrimonial ways in the Bondo bush.
Girls are usually taught the act of singing, dancing etc. The rich culture of Sierra Leone is passed on.
This tradition is slowly declining, a lot of girls including myself cannot boast of knowing traditional dancing steps or songs. Modernization has affected Sierra Leoneans both positively and negatively. Girls who live in the city usually think less of the traditions prevalent in our motherland. Girls care less these days about becoming initiates of the Bondo society. The western culture has changed the mindset of most girls. One may wonder why these girls are no longer anxious about becoming initiates of this society.
The adoption of Western culture has broadened the horizon of most girls, they are fully aware of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). They are aware of the dangers that they are exposed to such as HIV/AIDS, Tetanus, Sterility and other infections. Western education has played a great role in the provision of knowledge. The thoughts of being subjected to such treatments scare girls away and they lose the chance of learning useful skills in the Bondo bush.
If the FGM aspect is terminated, a lot of girls would be excited about becoming initiates of the Bondo Society. The percentage of educated girls who are initiates would increase greatly. I know that the FGM aspect has been an integral part of the society but with all the risks that it entails, there would not be any harm in ending it.
The tradition is slowly dying especially among literate women and we should not let FGM be the reason for the slow decline of such a wonderful society. African girls have to be groomed for womanhood. Our tradition should be attractive to us instead of scaring us.
These societies create a strong bond among initiates and it involves a lot of respect bestowed on society members. These societies played important political roles in pre-colonial days and they still have an influence over traditional authorities.
The Bondo Society is very useful in Sierra Leone, our mothers and grandmothers benefitted a lot from it. They became good housewives, learning the skills of cooking, child care etc. They were taught the act of matrimonial ways in the Bondo bush.
Girls are usually taught the act of singing, dancing etc. The rich culture of Sierra Leone is passed on.
This tradition is slowly declining, a lot of girls including myself cannot boast of knowing traditional dancing steps or songs. Modernization has affected Sierra Leoneans both positively and negatively. Girls who live in the city usually think less of the traditions prevalent in our motherland. Girls care less these days about becoming initiates of the Bondo society. The western culture has changed the mindset of most girls. One may wonder why these girls are no longer anxious about becoming initiates of this society.
The adoption of Western culture has broadened the horizon of most girls, they are fully aware of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). They are aware of the dangers that they are exposed to such as HIV/AIDS, Tetanus, Sterility and other infections. Western education has played a great role in the provision of knowledge. The thoughts of being subjected to such treatments scare girls away and they lose the chance of learning useful skills in the Bondo bush.
If the FGM aspect is terminated, a lot of girls would be excited about becoming initiates of the Bondo Society. The percentage of educated girls who are initiates would increase greatly. I know that the FGM aspect has been an integral part of the society but with all the risks that it entails, there would not be any harm in ending it.
The tradition is slowly dying especially among literate women and we should not let FGM be the reason for the slow decline of such a wonderful society. African girls have to be groomed for womanhood. Our tradition should be attractive to us instead of scaring us.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE BONDO SOCIETY BUT I SAY NO TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)!!!
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