Sexual cleansing

Sexual cleansing (kusasa fumbi) is an African tradition practiced in parts of Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Congo.[1] In the tradition, a girl or woman is expected to have sex as a cleansing ritual after her first period, after becoming widowed, or after having an abortion.[2][3]

Hyena

Sexual cleansing is sometimes performed by a selected future husband[2] for a young girl, or by the deceased husband's brother or other relative[1] for a widow, or otherwise by a paid sex worker.

A hyena is a traditional position in some parts of southern Malawi, held by a man who initiates young women into adulthood through sex.[2][4] A hyena is a man paid to have sex with children between the ages of 12–17, as a part of a rite of passage called "kusasa fumbi" ('brushing off the dust')[5][6][7] (sexual cleansing).[8] The rite lasts for three days. Hyenas are paid from $4 to $7 each time. The rite is believed to prevent disease. Hyenas are chosen for their moral character and are believed to be incapable of catching diseases such as HIV/AIDS,[2] even though of course some catch it.[9] It can place the young girls at risk of HIV infection because the hyena has sexual intercourse with all the girls and the ritual requires the exchange of sexual fluids so condoms are not used.[5][6]

Locations

In Malawi, the practice of sexual cleansing is largely confined to Salima, Chikwawa, and Nsanje District. It is also practiced in Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Congo.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rachel Awuor (2007-11-01). "Widow cleansing: 'Good' intentions – negative consequences". Farm Radio International. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ed Butler (21 July 2016). "The man hired to have sex with children". BBC News. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Kizito Makoye (4 October 2013). "Widow sexual cleansing ritual continues in Tanzania". news.trust.org. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Malawian 'hyena man' arrested for having sex with children". BBC. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  5. 1 2 Anderson, E-L (2015). Gender, HIV and Risk: Navigating structural violence. Palgrave MacMillan.
  6. 1 2 Anderson, E-L (2012). "Infectious Women: Gendered bodies and HIV in Malawi". International Feminist Journal of Politics. 14 (2): 267–287. doi:10.1080/14616742.2012.659850.
  7. ↑ Munthali, AC; Zulu, EM (December 2007). "The timing and role of initiation rites in preparing young people for adolescence and responsible sexual and reproductive behaviour in Malawi". African journal of reproductive health. 11 (3): 150–67. doi:10.2307/25549737. PMC 2367147. PMID 18458746.
  8. ↑ Beenish Ahmed (January 20, 2014). "Confronting a Sexual Rite of Passage in Malawi". The Atlantic. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Au Malawi, Louis, une « hyène » payée pour violer". 26 July 2017 – via Le Monde.
  • Madison Park (4 February 2014). "A rite of passage that pushes girls into sex". CNN. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  • Ahmed Beenish: Confronting a Sexual Rite of Passage in Malawi. The Atlantic, 2014-01-20
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