scholarly journals Culture as an Impediment to Socio-Economic Development in Henry Ole Kulet’s Blossoms of the Savannah

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-52
Author(s):  
Violet Nasambu Barasa

This paper examines how Maasai traditional cultural practices and beliefs in Ole Kulet‘s novel Blossoms of the Savannah hinder socio-economic development. The cultural practices that incumber socio-economic progress has implication on both the immediate Maasai community (as illustrated through Nasila village) and the society at large. In most societies in Africa, traditional and cultural practices inform and influence the daily experiences and behavior of its people. Early marriages and female genital mutilation are practiced in a number of communities across the African continent in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Guinea among others. One of this communities is the Maasai community in Kenya which is the physical setting of Blossoms of the savannah. Some traditional practices among the Maasai are detrimental as is evident in the long-term impact on the psychological, physical and the general wellbeing of its members. This paper focuses on the intertwinement of early marriages, female genital mutilation (FGM), and patriarchy and how they impact the socio-economic development in the society. Early marriages and female genital mutilation practices are socio-economically retrogressive in a 21st century society. These traditional practices and customs have roots in the social, cultural, economic, historical and political discourse encapsulated within the patriarchal structures and realized through gender inequality. This paper therefore focuses on how the traditional practices impede the realization of development in the Maasai community as advanced in Blossoms of the Savannah.

2002 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Nyangweso

[Female initiation rite is one of the many traditional practices found in some African communities. The many rituals during this time of initiation include female circumcision/female genital mutilation, a socially justified mark of maturation, dramatizing the break with childhood and incorporation into adulthood. This practice has received much criticism because of sexist, health, and human implications for woman's integrity. Christian missionaries to Africa condemned it as a barbaric practice, unnecessary for its believers. In spite of condemnations and various efforts to stop the practice, female circumcision persists among a number of Africans including Christians. The author here examines the gospel message, especially what Christ's salvific message means to the Nandi culture, and especially how the practice of female circumcision can be reinterpreted in the light of this message.]


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-38
Author(s):  
Nelly C Andiema

Cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation, early child marriages and patriarchy have been on the rise in West Pokot despite interventions by government and non-state actors over the years. These outdated cultural practices have hindered the progress of girls academically. It is vital to educate the girl-child in society. However, teenage pregnancy gets girls at the wrong time when they are still in schools and this affects their education very much and eventually ends up ruining their future. This paper looks at how various cultural practices have affected girl child education in West Pokot County, Kenya. The study was conducted in Central Pokot Sub County primary schools targeting 12 headteachers and 120 teachers. The respondents were selected through purposive and simple random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data collected were analysed using percentages and frequencies. The results of the study showed that the status of girl-child education was low. Cultural factors like; early marriages, female genital mutilation, child labour, widowhood practices and taboos influenced girl-child education. The study found out those cultural factors in the study area affected girl-child education negatively as it slowed down their transition, academic performance and also the acquisition of knowledge required at the basic education level. The study recommends that the government should take legal action against parents who take their girl-children for FGM and early marriages; there is a need for awareness on the importance of girl child education, provision of scholarships for girls at basic and tertiary level and introduction of guidance and counselling sessions in schools.


Author(s):  
Sartaj Ahmad ◽  
Chhavi Kiran Gupta ◽  
Arvind Kumar Shukla ◽  
Bhawana Pant ◽  
Varsha Chaudhary

Author(s):  
Sister Jeston Shitindi

ABSTRACT Tanzania as a developing country has been experiencing worsening impacts of the street children phenomenon in practically all its rapidly growing urban areas. Based on the review of literature, the causes of street children include general poverty, loss of family ties (due to polygamy, separation between parents), some unwelcome traditional practices (such as forced marriages, female genital mutilation), and the HIV/AIDS epidemic affecting families. In the street the children have worse living conditions since they have nowhere to live, no food and no protection. In a bid to fend for themselves they end up engaging in juvenile delinquency, causing havoc to the society. Therefore, a more detailed research is required and all stakeholders should pull their resources together so as to obtain a sustainable solution for the street children phenomenon in the country.


Author(s):  
Lois N. Omaka-Amari ◽  
Edith N. Obande-Ogbuinya ◽  
Christian O. Aleke ◽  
Afoke N. Eunice ◽  
Jude N. Nwafor ◽  
...  

Background: Peoples’ life and quality of health are usually dependent on the cultural practices and norms of the community. Objectives: This study investigated Female Genital Mutilation Practices and Associated Factors among Married Women in the Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Methods: The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted from August 2019 to January 2020.  Out of 260 questionnaires distributed, only 7 copies were discarded and a total of 253 women were drawn for the study through multi-stage sampling technique. Frequency, percentage, and logistics regression were the statistical tools used for data analysis. Results: The majority of the participants: aged 25-34 years (37.9%); Christians (76.3%); urban dwellers (50.2%); had tertiary education (36.4%); had 3-4 children (32.0%); and were in business (29.2%) respectively. The cultural practices regarding FGM among married women in Ebonyi State were high (60.5%). Also, the majority of the participants (67.7%) were circumcised. Age by birth, religious affiliation, location, level of education, number of children, and occupation were predictors of the cultural practice of FGM with obvious variations. There is no significant difference existed with respect to religious affiliation, level of education, number of children, and occupation (P-value>0.05) while the difference was observed on the age by birth and location (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: The high cultural practice of FGM is influenced by certain demographic predictors. Thus, there is a need for the Ebonyi State government in collaboration with other health agencies to adopt effective interventions, public health enlightenment, and mass education focusing on the negative consequences of FGM practices.


Author(s):  
AniediAbasi Okon Ekpatt

Female circumcision is central to African traditional religion and entails transgression of fundamental rights. However, the rationale for female circumcision seems to be consistent in most African societies, and is based for the most part on myth, ignorance of biological and medical facts, religion, and culture. The thinking and argument in many communities is that the clitoris is perceived variously as repulsive, filthy, foul smelling, dangerous to the life of the emerging newborn, and hazardous to the health and potency of the husband. This study therefore is an attempt to respond to the thesis that despite the right to freedom of religion or belief, including its manifestations, the right of ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups to enjoy their culture, the religio-cultural ritual of female circumcision as a rite of passage in Africa is shrouded with some traditional practices that has reconfigured the moral basis of female circumcision.


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