A HISTORICAL EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF COLONIALISM IN THE PERSISTENCE OF FEMALE CIRCUMCISION AMONG THE ABAGUSII OF NYAKOE VILLAGE, KISII COUNTY, KENYA, 1907-1963

Abstract

Female circumcision among communities in Kenya has a long historical dispensation tracing back to the precolonial period. The colonial government put in place measures that were aimed at curbing female circumcision. Despite this, female circumcision has continued among the Nyakoe people in Kisii County. This study examined the contribution of colonialism to the persistence of female circumcision among the Abagusii of Nyakoe village, Kisii County, Kenya between 19071963. The study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the colonial policies against female circumcision among the Abagusii of Nyakoe village, Kisii County between 19071963: To account for the role of colonialism in the persistence of female circumcision among the Abagusii of Nyakoe village and to establish the status of female circumcision among the Nyakoe people, Kisii County by 1963. The study was based on assumptions that: There was an established colonial policy for the practice of female circumcision among the Abagusii of Nyakoe village; the colonial government played an important role in sustaining female circumcision among Nyakoe people and the state of female circumcision. The literature reviewed in this study addressed the origin of female circumcision, the role of colonialism in its persistence, as well as the state of female circumcision in Nyakoe village, Kisii County, Kenya. This study used Cultural Attraction Theory (CAT) and Structural Functionalism Theory to examine the role of colonialism in the persistence of female circumcision and the status of female circumcision in the study population. Methodologically, qualitative research was possible, so the study used a descriptive study design. This study was conducted in the village of Nyakoe, south of Kisii County, because of the continued female circumcision among the Abagusii of Nyakoe. The target population of the survey was 23,096 inhabitants of Nyakoe village. Respondents were purposively sampled using snowball techniques. The sample size was 50 respondents from Nyakoe village. Of this sample size, 30 respondents were individually interviewed and 15 respondents were used for focus group discussions. Data was collected from primary, archive, and secondary sources that were validated to ensure the reliability and objectivity of the survey. This study collected data through oral interviews and focus group discussions. data were analyzed and presented by qualitative data analysis. Based on the purpose of the study, qualitative data from open questions were analyzed qualitatively using subject analysis. The purpose of the interview was explained to the respondents who voluntarily participated in the interview. Research findings were as follows: The Abagusii of Nyakoe village circumcised both boys and girls, colonial administration, missionaries and the African chiefs in the local native councils were used to protest against female circumcision. Female circumcision continued in the study area despite the colonial government's efforts to stop it. The reasons were that it prepared the Abagusii woman for marriage, work and participation in social occasions. In this regard, the Abagusii women continued to be circumcised in the later years of the colonial regime in Abagusii land. This study added knowledge to the colonial historiography of the Abagusii of Kenya.