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Article: Infibulation: Female Mutilation in Islamic Northeastern Africa.
- Article from:
- Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute
- Article date:
- June 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Royal Anthropological Institute. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The recent influx to the West of immigrants from the Horn of Africa and adjacent areas has activated the issue of female infibulation in Western discourse. Voices from the media, health sector and the general public have called for information, explanation and action.
The present book which basically concerns the existence and distribution of female infibulation takes up this challenge. Infibulation is a form of female genital mutilation considered to be the physically most severe. After excision of the labia minora and parts of the labia majora, the vulva is stitched together, leaving only a tiny outlet for urine and menstrual blood. At the time of marriage the ...