Kikuyu and Circumcision, Kenya

Known by the Kikuyu people as “irua”, this controversial rite of passage for both young men and women has been practiced for centuries among Kenyans. In fact, male circumcision is common in most of Kenya, with the exception of the Luo and Turkana societies. The Kikuyu practice circumcision in a public ceremony. For girls, clitoridectomies are still practiced on roughly 30 percent of the Kenyan population, however, this is not the only place in Africa this practice is done. Female circumcision is internationally frowned upon. The medical complications for women can include infection, loss of sexual pleasure, hazardous childbirth, and death.