Newsletters

Girls' Coming of Age Ceremony

August 20^th, 2005 – the full moon

BEADS for Education hosted our first Coming of Age Ceremony in the Kajiado District of Kenya without Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on August 20, 2005. Women around the world commemorated this event by having full moon ceremonies of their own on the same day. Each year we host several ceremonies, including one shared by our Walkathon participants each January. Our goals are to support the Maasai traditions of this critical rite of passage from girl to womanhood and to eliminate the cutting. Without our financial support (each ceremony costs about $500) most families would simply dispense with this new tradition and continue the old practices. You can help eradicate FGM in our regions by donating to a Coming of Age Ceremony.

Please read about Esther's Coming of Age Ceremony.

FGM is practiced by many Maasai people in Kenya, although it is illegal in the country. The Maasai people working with BEADS in the southern Kajiado district discounted the negative impacts of FGM until BEADS for Education provided the community leaders with access to more information.

	The FGM awareness training began with Patrick Papatiti, the Olaigwanani of the district. The Oligwanani is revered as leader of the 8,000 warriors in his age set. This is a position he will hold for life. With BEADS support, Papatiti researched FGM in Nairobi, Kenya. Returning to his community near Amboseli National Park, he told the elders his new conclusion: “The Maasai have been making a terrible mistake.” When he began meetings with the elders and the circumcisers, they wondered why anyone would question their ancient practice. They were shocked to learn that FGM is illegal in Kenya. This knowledge has empowered Kinina Tinayo, a midwife/circumciser, to radically change her family ceremony.
Patrick Papatiti (right) the leader of the 8,000 warriors of his district. With BEADS support Patrick researched FGM in Nairobi, Kenya.
	Kinina’s daughter, Esther, is one of over 300 girls whose education is sponsored by BEADS. Esther is a 7^th grade student at Rombo Girls School in Loitokitok., Kenya. At 12 years old, it is time for Esther’s Coming of Age Ceremony. Her mother celebrated this ceremony for Esther and the daughters of her three co-wives August 20, 2005 – the full moon. With the support of her husband, co-wives, community elders and leaders, her family ceremony was *traditional but did not include FGM.* *Please read about Esther's Coming of Age Ceremony.*
Esther with her mother, Kinina (left), and father on the day she received her BEADS sponsorship. Esther's father has four wives and 26 children.