Female circumcision from Africa to the Americas: Slavery to the present

Abstract

This paper traces the introduction of female circumcision into the Americas from Africa, from the time of the Atlantic slave trade to the present. It provides a review of the literature on the subjects of slavery, slave fertility and sexuality, slave medicine, as well as a review of current laws passed in the United States related to female circumcision. Interview material with a recent African immigrant to the United States who brings her ritual practice with her, documents an example of present-day circumcision practices in the United States. Various factors leading to the continuation or discontinuation of traditional African practices will be discussed. The desire for cultural and ethnic continuation of this practice exists among some individuals and groups amidst the controversy within the United States concerning “genital mutilation” and “genital cutting.” Medical, legal, sexological, historical, anthropological, and traditional African tribal consultation was provided for this research, adding a cross-disciplinary perspective to this topic of current interest. Graphs, maps, and anatomical illustrations provide pictorial support.

Acknowledgments

Africanist, legal, and medical consultation provided by: Chief FAMA, Nigerian honorary chief, San Bernardino, California, Africanist consultant; Kimberly Churchill Montgomery, J.D., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, legal consultant; Paul Wexler, M.D., obstetrician, gynecologist, fertility specialist, Denver, Colorado, medical consultation.