TRIBE OF RIVERS STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Adolescents of Okrika

Meggan ArcheyAlwiah AlmosajinHeather Van AstenGabriela Maria ZablahElena Membreno

• EMBEDDED WITHIN THE IGBO AND IJO ETHNIC AREAS

• LANGUAGE: KALABARI (AN IJAW LANGUAGE)

• TRIBAL POPULATION: EST. 295,551

• STRATIFIED CLASSES; GOVERNED BY CHIEF AND WEALTHY

• LOCAL TRADE IN FISH, PALM OIL, PLANTAINS, YAMS, SALT

The Okrika People

• FEMALES: - QUESTIONING AUTHORITY/TRADITION- ABSTRACT RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS

• MALES: - NO EMOTIONAL OUTLET- SELF DOUBT

• 19% BOYS, 3% GIRLS AGES 15-16 UNDERSTAND SEXUALITY- (OPARA ET AL)

• ADHERE TO TRADITION OR FIGHT FOR MODERNISM?

Cognitive Transitions

• GIRLS PARTICIPATE IN IRIA

• FEMALES ARE THE LESSER SEX - SOCIAL HIERARCHY

• GIRLS ARE SOCIALLY ISOLATED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME

• MEN MODEL DOMINANCE/MASCULINITY

Social Transitions

• BOYS SUFFER SEVERE MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES

• ADOLESCENT FEMALE (AND SOME MALE) CIRCUMCISION

• GIRLS - “BIG IS BEAUTIFUL”* LARGE BODY = SIGN OF WEALTH/SOCIAL STATUS

• BODILY INSPECTION - “DEVELOPMENT AND CHASTITY” * (BREASTS, IN TACT HYMEN)

Physical Transitions

Fatting Rooms (4-24 wks)

• WATER SPIRIT BONDS MUST BE BROKEN

• MEN CHASE THE GIRLS, BEAT OUT SPIRITS

• THIS ENSURES FUTURE SAFETY & FERTILITY

• GIRLS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MARRIAGE

Iria Ceremony

TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES