Online Journal of Social Sciences Research

ISSN 2277-0844; Volume 4 Issue 2, Pages 23-27; September 2015

©2015 Online Research Journals

Available Online at https://onlineresearchjournals.org/JSS

Full Length Research Paper

 

The Samburu Pastoralists of North Central Kenya and their Adherence to Female Circumcision   *Dr. Beneah M. Mutsotso1, Perpetua Gaciuki2 and Sella Okola Mutsotso3   1Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197-00100 Nairobi, Kenya. Email: mutsotso(at)uonbi.ac.ke and bmutsotso(at)yahoo.com 2Department of Criminology and Social Work, Kibabii University College, Bungoma, Kenya. Email: pgaciuki(at)gmail.com 3Lecturer, Shamerere Institute, Kakamega, Kenya. E-mail: sellamutsotso(at)rocketmail.com.   Received 10 July, 2015 Accepted 4 September, 2015

This paper presents some of the cultures of the Samburu people of North Central Kenya with respect to their history, current location, and notably, are the female circumcision and the ceremonies involving the rites of passage of their male children. Through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, the elaborate ceremonies through which a Samburu person is processed and the requirement for circumcision as a qualification for participation are well presented. Also discussed in this paper is the strong peer pressure, myths around female circumcision and the link to failure in all aspects for refusal to get circumcised. The strong bonds the moran develop become the bedrock on which female circumcision is embedded. Two case studies are presented as a testimony to show how female circumcision is deeply implicated in the community decision making.   Key words: Samburu, female circumcision, lmuget, rites of passage, cultural expectations, age-set, moran.

Recommended Citation Mutsotso BM, Gaciuki P and Mutsotso SO. The Samburu Pastoralists of North Central Kenya and their Adherence to Female Circumcision. Online J Soc Sci Res, 2015; 4(2): 23-27.

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