I was only ten when I met the cruel face of my culture. If I were a painter, I would depict the horrible occurrence in a picture. The blade, blood, beastly women, pain, and cold nights are remarkable epitaphs on the grave of my dignity as a woman. As the say goes this was the only prerequisite to transition into adulthood. Girls who failed to go through it were considered of a lesser material to be a wife and outcasts of culture. Attribute that none would wish of her daughter, let alone herself.
A cut, the size of sorghum grain had to be made on the clitoris of a young female. There are old women, specialised into this. One blade used for all who came for the initiation ceremony.
Women have no say to culture. All the talks I attempted to hold with my mother prior to the “knife” were fruitless but encouraged me to make a brave go at it, to fetch more cattle for my dowry. Much as she never liked the memories that accompanied her cut, she only wished there could be a way out. What could a woman do in a culture that esteem her of equal value to the beasts of burden?
Decades have rolled since I eloped home from early marriage. Having attained “maturity”, I only fit to be married to a man the age of my father.
My dignity and dreams of succeeding through education had to be sacrificed.
I left home that evening. The risk of the lonely night instilled lesser fear, as compared to the pain of losing my dignity. I knew I met haven when I landed in the hands of Mrs. Makau, matron Bwangu Children’s Home.
As I battled the trauma of dissociation from my family on grounds of culture, I was persuaded that many girls are suffering this same trauma, without a courage to brave through the risk. This burden brought a debt in my heart to deliver my village sisters from FGM. A heavy desire rested in me to change a culture, something that has never been so easily done.
Mrs. Makau had to be the perfect partner in driving my dreams. My conscience is free because a number of girls have been liberated from this bondage through championing against FGM. The beastly women have joined the campaign after fruitful deliberation. I am woman the scar remains with me but the victory is seen in the lives of the gives liberated.
56 Responses
This piece indeed gives us the real picture of what young girls in places where FGM is still a norm go through. The shutting of dreams, the ruining of their dignity and the heavy chains that they have to unchain both mentally and on their hands and legs. This is a good piece to look at all these.
A great piece indeed, love your literature review on this amazing story💥
What an eye opener! Amazing piece!
Great work Tonny, you inspire so many young people through your work even online. Keeo it up.
Our lives begin to end , the day we become silent about the things that matter.
Well said Ivy
Awesome author and writer very eloquent, true African Hero
Big up man, I love this story.
#say no to FGM#
United we can end this monster”FGM”
This really inspiring, I love your work Tony
Bravo
Amazing, keep going 👏
One step at a time , we’ll finally achieve it.👏
Keeping pushing nice piece
Amazing work Tonny…
I love the phrase, ‘women have no say in culture’. It explains how much we need to put more efforts to advocate for rights of women which also includes the girl child rights. This piece is beautiful.@Tonny kudos!
This is a sad reality in some African society. This must be stop!
This is good, from the grammar to the creativity of the story.
Your commitment to championing for women right is really inspiring @Tonny keep the good work
Viva, nice narration
“Bright Stain on the Vision” fantastic may this message reach the whole world. Well done
Voicing against harmful practices.
Lets end FGM its deeply rooted in Africa, may this reach the world and the perpetrators. Proud of your work.
Great piece.
Leaving no stones unturned, good work @Tonny
Voicing for the voiceless
Thank you for standing in for women. Greatly put
youths end FGM
Women need to be having a voice in the community
Eliminating harmful practices is key to all both women and men. Thank you.
May the publication reach my community. Aluta Continua
I am championing against FGM
FGM is a deadly pandemic that need to be addressed its violating our girls, women and girlfriends rights. Thanks @Tonny for expressing this.
I’m more enlightened with this story, it’s a good one
Let’s embrace our rights and end this FGM thing people call a rite of passage in some culture
Good work on FGM eye opener
The story is good, keep it up with the good work you are doing.#Tonny
Kudos Tony Great work…
Great support for our women
Perfect story
The mindset we need in this country.
I support this amazing narration, perfect
May this good work never go into waste
The effort you put shall yield soon keep going@ Tony
Good work bro thank you for standing for our women
Seeing this article puts a smile on my face let’s end FGM
The best article have read today kudos bro
Power in writing what an article.
The support you give girls and women is eye catching nice narration bro
Talent in writing what our women go through on a daily basis ,,well done for the efforts and support you give out there
Saddest reality in our country this has to stop!!
Nice article Tony this is for sure a good one…impressive it explains alot women go through
When you see light the best thing is to guide others towards the same light so that we all shine great article.
This is amazing!
This a really nice story I’m glad that most communities as of now have been able to do away with this archaic cultures that degrade women.