Where women are circumcised, shared and not jealous

[Guest guest]

Mmmmhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............................

This needs to change!

Where women are circumcised, shared and not jealous

DENNIS D. MUHUMUZA

When it comes to love and marriage, the Masai, are in their own class. One of East Africa's ancient tribes that arrived in present day Kenya/Tanzania over 500 years back, the Masai are renowned for their strong culture, fierce warriors, and love for cattle.

It's arguably one of those few tribes that have not been much swayed by western styles, if their intact traditions in regard to marriage are anything to go by. First, the Masai very much embrace polygamy just as it was in the African traditional society, says Ombui, a Kenyan staying in Uganda. A Masai man has the freedom to marry as many wives as long he can take good care of them.

NOT TAKEN: Unmarried young women pierce the upper part of the ear and pin it with locally made earrings. Net Photo.

" The Masai share women because they believe a woman is not married to one man but to a whole age set, " he said. " When a warrior arrives in the absence of the man of the house, he plunges his spear deep in the earth outside the home, upon which he enters and begins to make love.

If at that moment the husband returns and finds the spear, he respects that because the long held traditional practice discourages sexual jealousy. However, the scourge of HIV/Aids is changing things. "

As intriguing, is the love story of the Masai that a woman may abandon her husband for another man and she is not apprehended. Unlike elsewhere in the world where women battle in the courts of law for custody of children, among the Masai, children remain the property of the man.

And however old you're, you are not a man until after you've married and begun amassing wealth in form of children and cattle. When a man has passed the test to marry his love, he becomes a junior elder, and is permitted enjoyment of sex with the wife of any of his comrades as long as he wants to.

To win a girl's hand in marriage, a man has to prove his valour; there are entertainment shows that precede marriage such as when men interested in the same girl compete in the game of high jumping. At the end of it all, the highest jumper - after winning the approval of elders and showing the capacity to pay dowry, wedding preparations begin.

" But you've to be circumcised to be wholly desirable and ready for marriage, " says Wangai, a Kenyan beauty who also happens to be the reigning Miss Kampala International University (KIU).

" All women are circumcised to reduce their libido. " Newly circumcised girls, so says Wangai, wear a unique headdress to show that they are now ready for marriage. Men begin to show interest by popping marriage proposals while others approach the family of the girl with gifts.

However, some girls, as young as 10 years old, are forcefully circumcised and married off to men far older than they are.

Marriage among the Masai is impossible without bride price, according to maasaivillage.com/maasaiwedding.htl

.. It's only after the dowry question has been settled that the " groom arrives at the bride's home with his best man to take his bride to her new home after her father and a member of his age-set bless the marriage by spitting milk and honey beer onto bride. "

And upon her arrival, reads the website, " the new bride is teased by the other women of the household. Here the bride will also receive gifts of cattle until she is satisfied. Cattle becomes the property of the husband. "

In some cases, the Masai parents arrange for their daughter's marriage when she's still young but they do that with the assurance that the man owns enough cattle to pay the dowry. The new bride will not have sex with her husband until after the first two days of her arrival.

A true Masai will tell you that he/she will be impressed if the prospective wife/man respects the ancient rituals and ceremonies that have since ensured the continuous existence of their culture, freedom, and nomadic lifestyle.

Like the Indians who put a red mark on the forehead to symbolise marriage, the Masai too have trendy necklaces worn around the neck and made up with rows of decorated beads that single girls wear, while other women wear a blue cloth along with her other pieces of clothing, to show they are already taken.

Unmarried girls pierce the upper part of the ear and pin it with locally made earrings. On the wedding day, the girl is plumed with beautiful necklaces and ornaments much to the fascination of the guests.

But then, all the Masai like wearing beads of many beautiful colours to represent the true African beauty. The Masai men are generally caring, hardworking and handsome with strong, long hands and muscled arms, according to Ombui.

" And oh, the Masai men love their food. When a man visits his potential wife, he's fed on a rich meal of milk and meat, " says Ombui. It happens that the roles of men and women are clearly defined. For instance it remains with the woman to fetch water and firewood to prepare a good meal for the family, clean the home, and tend to the children while the man is charged with defending the home, and cattle from theft and the community, which is why a typical Masai man never leaves his sharply sharpened spear behind.

So is the culture of the Masai which, unlike many other cultures, has remained intact to date.

[Guest guest]

Mmmmhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............................

This needs to change!

Where women are circumcised, shared and not jealous

DENNIS D. MUHUMUZA

When it comes to love and marriage, the Masai, are in their own class. One of East Africa's ancient tribes that arrived in present day Kenya/Tanzania over 500 years back, the Masai are renowned for their strong culture, fierce warriors, and love for cattle.

It's arguably one of those few tribes that have not been much swayed by western styles, if their intact traditions in regard to marriage are anything to go by. First, the Masai very much embrace polygamy just as it was in the African traditional society, says Ombui, a Kenyan staying in Uganda. A Masai man has the freedom to marry as many wives as long he can take good care of them.

NOT TAKEN: Unmarried young women pierce the upper part of the ear and pin it with locally made earrings. Net Photo.

" The Masai share women because they believe a woman is not married to one man but to a whole age set, " he said. " When a warrior arrives in the absence of the man of the house, he plunges his spear deep in the earth outside the home, upon which he enters and begins to make love.

If at that moment the husband returns and finds the spear, he respects that because the long held traditional practice discourages sexual jealousy. However, the scourge of HIV/Aids is changing things. "

As intriguing, is the love story of the Masai that a woman may abandon her husband for another man and she is not apprehended. Unlike elsewhere in the world where women battle in the courts of law for custody of children, among the Masai, children remain the property of the man.

And however old you're, you are not a man until after you've married and begun amassing wealth in form of children and cattle. When a man has passed the test to marry his love, he becomes a junior elder, and is permitted enjoyment of sex with the wife of any of his comrades as long as he wants to.

To win a girl's hand in marriage, a man has to prove his valour; there are entertainment shows that precede marriage such as when men interested in the same girl compete in the game of high jumping. At the end of it all, the highest jumper - after winning the approval of elders and showing the capacity to pay dowry, wedding preparations begin.

" But you've to be circumcised to be wholly desirable and ready for marriage, " says Wangai, a Kenyan beauty who also happens to be the reigning Miss Kampala International University (KIU).

" All women are circumcised to reduce their libido. " Newly circumcised girls, so says Wangai, wear a unique headdress to show that they are now ready for marriage. Men begin to show interest by popping marriage proposals while others approach the family of the girl with gifts.

However, some girls, as young as 10 years old, are forcefully circumcised and married off to men far older than they are.

Marriage among the Masai is impossible without bride price, according to maasaivillage.com/maasaiwedding.htl

.. It's only after the dowry question has been settled that the " groom arrives at the bride's home with his best man to take his bride to her new home after her father and a member of his age-set bless the marriage by spitting milk and honey beer onto bride. "

And upon her arrival, reads the website, " the new bride is teased by the other women of the household. Here the bride will also receive gifts of cattle until she is satisfied. Cattle becomes the property of the husband. "

In some cases, the Masai parents arrange for their daughter's marriage when she's still young but they do that with the assurance that the man owns enough cattle to pay the dowry. The new bride will not have sex with her husband until after the first two days of her arrival.

A true Masai will tell you that he/she will be impressed if the prospective wife/man respects the ancient rituals and ceremonies that have since ensured the continuous existence of their culture, freedom, and nomadic lifestyle.

Like the Indians who put a red mark on the forehead to symbolise marriage, the Masai too have trendy necklaces worn around the neck and made up with rows of decorated beads that single girls wear, while other women wear a blue cloth along with her other pieces of clothing, to show they are already taken.

Unmarried girls pierce the upper part of the ear and pin it with locally made earrings. On the wedding day, the girl is plumed with beautiful necklaces and ornaments much to the fascination of the guests.

But then, all the Masai like wearing beads of many beautiful colours to represent the true African beauty. The Masai men are generally caring, hardworking and handsome with strong, long hands and muscled arms, according to Ombui.

" And oh, the Masai men love their food. When a man visits his potential wife, he's fed on a rich meal of milk and meat, " says Ombui. It happens that the roles of men and women are clearly defined. For instance it remains with the woman to fetch water and firewood to prepare a good meal for the family, clean the home, and tend to the children while the man is charged with defending the home, and cattle from theft and the community, which is why a typical Masai man never leaves his sharply sharpened spear behind.

So is the culture of the Masai which, unlike many other cultures, has remained intact to date.