Title: Africa's culture war: old customs, new values. Human rites.

POPLINE Document Number: 129012

Author(s):

French HW

Source citation:

NEW YORK TIMES, 1997 Feb 2;:Section 4: 1, 4.

Abstract:

Ancient Ewe religious custom maintains that for serious offenses such as murder, rape, and theft, the spirits can be appeased only through the enslavement of young virgins from the offender's family in the shrines of traditional priests. The bondage of such girls, including their sexual enslavement to the priests, is a custom more entrenched and longer standing than Western law in Ghana. Recent press reports in Accra, Ghana's capital city, have exposed the tradition to the general public. Legislators are now debating how to eradicate the custom through which as many as 10,000 girls may be enslaved. However, the enactment of legislation will have little, if any, effect upon the practices of the Ewe. Molded over many generations, Africa's traditions will be changed only through gradual persuasion and patient persistence. Throughout much of Africa, practices such as the ritual slavery of the Ewe, female genital mutilation (FGM), polygamy, witchcraft, ritual sacrifice, and demon worship coexist with the modern world and show no sign of being abandoned any time soon. FGM in Sierra Leone is discussed.

Keywords:

Ghana
Sierra Leone
Culture
Cultural Background
Female Genital Cutting
Religion
Slaves
Needs
Women
Developing Countries
Africa, Western
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Harmful Traditional Practices
Traditional Health Practices
Economic Factors