HISTORY 2JJ3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Meru, Kenya, Female Genital Mutilation, Clitoridectomy
24 Apr 2020
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Lynn m. thomas, "imperial concerns and "women"s affairs": state efforts to regulate clitoridectomy and. Eradicate abortion in meru, kenya, c. 1910-1950, journal of african history (1998). During the colonial period eu officers tried to regulate clitoridectomy: wanted to combat abortion wanted to enforce female initiation at an early age to combat this. In some places initiation took place prior to puberty, in meru it was a pre-nuptial rite: unexcised (be sold?) before puberty to reduce the chances of pregnancy. Female circumcision is part of the longer history of efforts to regulate excision. Meru was last section of the central highlands to come under a district authority: remote so discouraged eu settlers. Early admin saw it as a male migrant labour reserve: on the fringe of colonial econ and politics, allowed admin to attempt interventions that they wouldn"t do elsewhere. 30s became first place where they were allowed to cultivate coffee and indigenous institutions" (all male council)
