BEADS for Education hosted our first Coming of Age Ceremony in the Kajiado District of Kenya without Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on August 20, 2005. Women around the world commemorated this event by having full moon ceremonies of their own on the same day.  Each year we host several ceremonies, including one shared by our Walkathon participants each January. Our goals are to support the Maasai traditions of this critical rite of passage from girl to womanhood and to eliminate the cutting.  Without our financial support (each ceremony costs about $500) most families would simply dispense with this new tradition and continue the old practices. You can help eradicate FGM in our regions by donating to a Coming of Age Ceremony.

The FGM awareness training began with Patrick Papatiti, the Olaigwanani of the district. The Oligwanani is revered as leader of the 8,000 warriors in his age set. This is a position he will hold for life.  With BEADS support, Papatiti researched FGM in Nairobi, Kenya.  Returning to his community near Amboseli National Park, he told the elders his new conclusion: “The Maasai have been making a terrible mistake.” When he began meetings with the elders and the circumcisers, they wondered why anyone would question their ancient practice.  They were shocked to learn that FGM is illegal in Kenya.  This knowledge has empowered Kinina Tinayo, a midwife/circumciser, to radically change her family ceremony.