- Version
- Download 13
- File Size 4.00 KB
- File Count 1
- Create Date December 28, 2020
- Last Updated December 28, 2020
In African traditional societies, sex education was part and parcel of the people and carried out in many ways depending of society as noted below:-
Every elder person took upon himself or herself the duty of upbringing the children with good behavior and attitudes.
Mothers and Aunts unveiled the mysteries of sex to daughters e.g. in Buganda, the Senga (aunt) taught girls all aspects about marriage and how to satisfy a man. In a similar way the men taught their boys the right ways of dealing with girls.
They made visits to the bush (okukyalira ensinko) when the labia was to be elongated (okusika enfuli). These help to hold the penis in position and make a man more stimulated in order to enjoy sex. The man is supposed to touch the labia in order to stimulate the woman.
To begin having sex it was not matter of pushing in one's penis but the man first asks if 'ekubo elyali wano Iyazika' if the way can still be used to make woman direct the organ inside and many words follow and actions.
Great respect for private parts i.e. well covered, jargons used for the parts and act never mentioned in the public in public e.g. the Baganda call it ‘akabozi ake kikulu as sign of respect.
Virginity was greatly upheld, very important feature in marriage, a sign of good discipline and morality. For that matter a goat was given to the parents or aunt for good upbringing and in case the girl was not she was greatly humiliated and no respect was given to her.
Punishment to sex offenders was heavy to discourage sex abuse.
Children of opposite sex slept differently to discourage acts of incest.
Initiation rites were a community responsibility, a stage of transmission from childhood to adulthood, and often celebrated by all to express growth.
During puberty rites, a lot was taught as a sign of growth towards adulthood e.g. in Bugisu after circumcision.
During preparation for marriage, certain lessons were conducted before the actual day of marriage to equip them with the necessary skills of marriage like in West Africa where girls were taken to gathering rooms for six months.
Uncles, elder brothers, and grandparents likewise did the same to the boys.
Free sex was only allowed or granted to married people.
At fire places; stories about sex and marriage which were educative about proper use, right place/ partnership so were myth/ riddles were taught and interpreted e.g. the Banyole have a saying; 'ndila ndi ssubi wamwange Ali mu tamu' i.e. I am mourning with hope my husband is in the pot which express how a woman on the death of her husband out off the man's genital put them in a pot covered in hope that even they burry the body she would make use of the genitals when people have dispersed only to realise later when maggots had eaten them up. This means that there is nothing a woman requires on a man than his male organ.
Elders could not expose their sexual organs to children e.g. among the Banyole it was disastrous for a child to look at them and sometimes if a man is doubting whether the child belongs to him or not he points his organ to the child so if the child is not his the child just dies or if he/ she exposes the organ to his own child in anger it would a curse to that child.
Bush schools and other organised institution were places of intensive training.
Premarital counseling was carried out and even in marriage e.g. they used words like; cleaning the bush, removing dishes, welcoming visitors, behaving like a brother, after supper (ekyekiro), acting like a kite or a rat as opposed to the sheep all regarding sexual language.
While in bed having sex were expected to have mock cries as if hurt and yet enjoying with words like 'you are killing me' while the man says 'you will not die' to give morale to the man. She counts 6666 or sshh aaa or as if taking hot soup! E.g. among the Batoro they cry 'illilili. .. allailialah' etc.
Circumcision was used to make sex appetizing and among the Sabiny women had to undergo clictectomy to control their sexual urge.
In case of marriage failure due to sex unseats faction elders came in to see if the cause of the failure is sex and advise accordingly.
How sexual values in traditional Africa are up held today
- Virginity is still upheld through not emphasised it brings more happiness and trust.
- Elders still play a big role in education of growing people.
- Initiation rites still exist.
- Sex education still taught in some schools.
- Sexual deviations are still condemned.
- Sex is still used in marriage for fellowships, companionship as an expression of love.
- Promiscuity is still being discouraged.
- Sex is still being discouraged.
- Sex is still used for transmission of life still emphasised.
Sex in marriage is still valued even in the catholic church if marriage is not consummated by sex it is not marriage and therefore no sex no marriage though today in developed countries there are some people who desire to marry but without having sex!