BAHIMA, HIMA (HAMITES, Uganda)
Featured: Ik, Gisu, Acholi, Sebei, Bahima/Bahuma [Hima, Bahuma Bajoro], Bachiga, Lango, Nkole, Ganda, Kiziba, Lugbara, Jie, Iteso, Bwamba, Baamba, So, Guang
According to Roscoe (1907:p104)[1], both sexes of the Bahima tribe are betrothed “whilst they are quite young; the mother has the care of the girls and keeps strict watch over them so that they may grow up pure. Girls are therefore in constant attendance upon their mother; is she goes away from home to visit relations, the daughter goes too”. Consummation occurs three days after marriage, the date of which is not elaborated upon (p105). “Hima girls are kept very strictly chaste until marriage […]”, although until age six the sexes are free to mix (Elam, 1973:p54, 84-7)[2], and “[…] from her first infant steps a Hima girl is oriented toward marriage”.
Janssen,
D. F., Growing Up Sexually. Last revised: Sept 2004 |
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