POKOMO (
Index → Africa→ Kenya → Pokomo
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Betrothal takes place in childhood, marriage is to await puberty and initiation (Prins, 1952:p23[1]). Sexual relations are sanctioned before payment, but apparently not between future spouses. “Promiscuous intercourse of the sexes while immature is said to be disapproved of” (ibid., referring to Fischer, 1878-9:p27)[2]. Bunger (1973:p87)[3] speaks of the decline of the rigi initiation for males (average 14/15, with a wide range), including “basic sexual lore”, and courting of girls according to a set of rigid rules, including coital taboo. A woman would be married within a year or two of her reaching puberty, lest “her blood may dry”; virginity was valued (p102).
Janssen,
D. F., Growing Up Sexually. Last revised: Sept 2004 |
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