African Traditional Cultural Conundrums which Make Women Prone to HIV/AIDS Infections: A Case of the Maasai of Kenya
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Date
2013
Authors
Akaranga, Stephen I.
Ongong’a, Jude J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Contemporary Research Center
Abstract
The term conundrum may mean a tricky problem that is difficult to solve (Oxford Advanced
Learners Dictionary, 2000: 251). It describes the problems of the African patriarchal society in
which the sex-based assignment of roles projects a spectre of inferiority and unworthiness over
women while casting the characteristics of superiority on to men (cf. Lumumba et al, 2011:99).
Traditionally, most Africans tend to assume the position of women, and the Maasai of Kenya are
not an exception.
Among the Maasai like most Africans, gender inequality and inequity are fundamental structures of
social hierarchy believed to shape how people are related within the society. Being based on social
relations, gender conundrums are part and parcel of the Maasai daily life and seem to be more
pronounced in sexual relations. The argument of this paper is: HIV/AIDS is transmitted through;
sexual contact, and exposure to infected blood or blood components and prenatally from the mother
to the neonate (Dennis et al, 1989:31).
The paper attempts to answer the following questions: What are the patriarchal practices that lead
to sexual oppression of women such as; female genital mutilation, widow remarriage, polygamy;
what is the negative impact of marriage arrangements between young girls and elderly men among
the Maasai? Is the practice of sharing women among age mates still practiced among the Maasai?
And if so, isn’t it a common path of HIV infections?
To actualize our investigation, the paper analyzes the cultural education system for socializing girls
and suggests ways of ameliorating such patriarchal and cultural tendencies. This was done through
field research involving administration of questionnaires to various groups apart from oral
discussions with some elders from the Maasai community.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Conundrum, Culture, Patriarchal, Matrifocal, Human rights, HIV/ AIDS, Religion, Gender equity and equality
Citation
International Journal of Education and Research Vol. 1 No. 8 August 2013