Imaginary laws that craft gender roles
Posted on March 28, 2010 by Saidimu Ole ngais
Ngais o Nkurikuri. Photo Credit Dylan O. Ngais.
Below is a picture of Ngais o Nkurikuri(Nkurikuri=toddlers). Parents like to toddler their young ones even at the age of whatever as long as the parent is a live. This is one great part of social life that is enjoyed by all unconditionally. It’s a great feeling to know that one is always a toddler to their parent. Parent can show love to their young ones in different ways. In some cultures, parents don’t really physically interact with their children. Their love is shared within an imaginary and orally defined distance. Others share the opportunity of closeness and body contact with kisses and hugs with fathers and mothers playing equal roles in children upbringing.
Among the Maasai, girl-children are discouraged to stay or sleep in the same hut/room/house as their fathers. Fathers most likely move out and reside in a (Oripie), a little hut specifically made for the father. It’s meant a s a good gesture that fathers move out to give room for the children.
Among our people, young ones greet their elders by bowing their heads for the elder to anoint them by touch. Elders touch the head of the uncircumcised young ones as a symbol of greetings and submissiveness with honor. Unlike the girl-child, boys stop bowing to elders as soon as they are circumcised and set in a specific age group. Girls/women are said to have no specific age group but that of their husbands. Boys maintain their age group even when they marry a woman older or younger than them. Gender roles are crafted to promote girl-child submissiveness even after they have been initiated to the adulthood.
What is your take on Maa gender roles and children upbringing? Should Maa fathers have more physical contact with their children and a balanced role on child-care? How should the idea of Oripei be tackled?
Saidimu Ole Ngais.
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