By Demola Olaseni
Eti-Osa Community is in Lagos State, south western part of Nigeria.
Eti-Osa Local Government Area has a population of 283,791,which represents 3.11% of the state’s population.
158,858 of the total population are male while the remaining 124,933 are female. There is little industry within Eti-Osa. Most residents work in fishing, farming, and trading. However, due to it being the former location of the nation’s capital, Eti-Osa is home to many large domestic and international business.
Interestingly, People of Eti-Osa community domicile in every states in Nigeria, they are very friendly and hospital, however, they could be very hostile and aggressive whenever their custom is violated or disrespected. About a large number of these people are traditional fanatics, they still believe in Female Genital Mutilation (Female circumcision), till date. According to their culture, Every Female child must be circumcised on/before she attains age 12years. A cultural and traditional initiation of young virgin girls into womanhood through rituals in oath making before the family idols; these ritual will involve the female child sleeping in the shrine. Which is located in a hut, secluded from the living quarters for 3days each day a goat is slaughtered and the blood will be used to wash the girls head. This exercise is believed to remove bewitchment from the girl and also a rite of dedication to the gods. The mother will assist in the cooking of the meat usually served to family members which take up to 2days. And on the third day the girl with the assistance of her mother alongside other females in the family will be held down while the removal of the clitoral hood and clitoral glans; removal of the inner labia; and removal of the inner and outer labia and closure of the vulva. Then a small hole is left for the passage of urine and menstrual fluid; followed with the introduction of corrosive herbs into the Vagina believed to heal the wounds, this is believed to be a rite of passage and a source of honour, fearing that failing to have their daughters and grand daughters cut will expose the girls to social exclusion into womanhood, and make her promiscuous. Meanwhile, according to their traditional belief, failure to perform the circumcision ritual, spells doom for the family and the community at large. In some cases the community is gravely afflicted with strange diseases, and or possibly deaths.
Meanwhile, according to their tradition, every girl not circumcised is seen as an outcast and no one will ever want to relate with such girl in the community; also she will not be able to give birth and even if she does, such child will be unhealthy; she will suffer mental illness, badluck, sickness and never live long in life.
It may interest you to know, superior courts of record in Nigeria have delivered judgements on Female Circumcision, outrightly condeming it as repugnant to Natural Justice, Equity and good conscience. Unfortunately, these judgements are only seen in paper not in reality, as Female Circumcision till date is still practice in most parts of Nigeria including Eti-Osa community. It is hoped that someday the law will take it course and such barbaric tradition be completely abolished. But until then, the tradition stands.
