1. Chapter 3: The Making of Males and Females in Contemporary Kisii
Initiation as Rite of Passage
Female Rites
Male Rites
Differences between male/female initiation

2. Initiation as Rite of Passage
Gender is acquired through socialization.
Initiation rites help form social/sexual identity—
“carving” gender through female/male genital cutting at adolescence
Females/Males not full member of society without these rituals
All social and moral life is gendered
International Reactions: Horror at female circumcision. Banned in 1980.
No outcry against male circumcision.

3. Female Initiation
Girls waiting in a line for their turn to be circumcised.
Female circumciser with a razor blade. Maize flower put on wound to stop the bleeding.

4. Female Initiation Women celebrate their daughters circumcision
Girl resting in the hut after the circumcision

5. Clitoridectomy: Reasoning
Eliminate sexual excitability of women
Makes women more controllable and prevents “loose” behavior.
Removal of clitoris, a masculine feature, makes women more feminine.
Economic basis—allows fathers to negotiate marriage. No uncircumcised girl will find a husband and the father would not receive a bride price.

6. Results
Health issues: Banning leads to more “at home” procedures and medical complications
Men look to prostitutes for recreational sex
Parents status increases (they become senior village members)

7. Circumcision Introduces boys to adult responsibilities and sex
Reasoning
Introduces boys to adult responsibilities and sex
Boys learn they must be providers and control wives and families
Must stand up to pain and ridicule-- Stoicism shows “real” manhood
Stimulates formation of bonds (boys of the same age grade (a “terrifying but exciting” experience)

8. Results Boys may now have sex with older circumcised girls
Boys often threaten girls (with rape) as they court them.
No longer must treat initiated girls with respect
Parents status increases (they become senior village members)

9. Differences in Female/Male Initiation
Boy secluded and must stands alone
Ceremony focuses on sexual avoidance.
Boys taught self-reliance (adventures games in theft and hunting)
Many responsibilities imparted
Ceremony does not provide an emotional outlet for fathers/men
FEMALE
Girl accompanied by mother and restrained
Ceremony focuses on sexual stimulation
Girls are taught obedience
Few responsibilities acquired during ceremony
Ceremony provides emotional/sexual outlet for mother’s/women’s aggression