The Nyama society of the ibibio women
1956; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 15; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/00020185608706975
ISSN1469-2872
Autores Tópico(s)Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
ResumoSYNOPSIS Among many of the Ibibio of south‐eastern Nigeria there exists a society of women known by various names, of which Nyama is that around the Government station of Ikot Ekpene where investigations on this society were carried out. Among the Ibibio the belief exists that clitoridectomy aids in child‐bearing. This operation, together with body cicatrization, takes place shortly before marriage and after menstruation is well established. It is the function if this society to see that this mutilation is carried out. The mutilation is done by the leader of the local branch of the Nyama society. Girls who have had children before this ceremony are debarred from it and in this way the ceremony has a social value in checking promiscuity. The regalia of the society is described and the fees payable and the duties and obligations due from various members including the bridegroom. After this mutilation the brides are steadily fattened prior to making a public debut and parading naked before going off as wives to their respective husbands. A description of one such parade of brides is given, and mention is made of the decrease of this mutilation and the fading away of these societies under the impact of Christianity.
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