Date of Award

1-1-2018

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Organizational Unit

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Anthropology

First Advisor

Richard Clemmer-Smith, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Alejandro Cerón-Valdes

Third Advisor

Maik Nwosu

Keywords

Anthropology, Circumcision, Female circumcision, Female genital mutilation, Nigeria, Yoruba

Abstract

Despite the Western media attention and the critique of female circumcision in sub-Saharan Africa, few studies consider the local populations' traditions, values, and ideologies. Through the Yoruba Lens: A Postcolonial Discourse of Female Circumcision investigates female circumcision practices from a philosophical, Yoruba traditionalist perspective. African philosophy and religion provides an ideological foundation and helps reveal the postcolonial and feminist theoretical framework that continues the academic debate. Framed by LeCompte and Schensul's notion that "ethnography emphasized discovery; it does not assume answers" (2010: 33), my research draws from literature reviews, quantitative data, and interviews. I will present and investigate three hypotheses regarding the impacts of modernity and culture. Being of Yoruba, Nigerian ancestry I am in an ideal position to both, understand the emic perspective as well as contribute to the etic conversation. Empathy and cultural relativism are vital tools in understanding ancient practices and taboos.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Jennifer Quichocho

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

en

File Size

127 p.

Discipline

Cultural anthropology, African studies, Women's studies

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