i stumbled upon the last qauter of this documentary on *gasp* Life time channel.

Then i googled this info to make me squirm:
http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/nigeria/usdos01_fgm_Nigeria.pdf

Nigeria: Report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Cutting (FGC)
Released by the Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues
Practice:
Type I (commonly referred to as clitoridectomy), Type II (commonly referred to as excision) and Type III (commonly referred to as infibulation) are the most common forms of female genital mutilation (FGM) or female genital cutting (FGC) practiced in Nigeria. Type IV is practiced to a much lesser extent.

The form practiced varies by ethnic group and geographical location. It crosses the numerous population groups and is a part of the many cultures, traditions and customs that exist in Nigeria. It crosses the lines of various religious groups. It is found among Christians, Muslims and Animists alike.

Incidence:
With over 250 ethnic groups and an estimated population of 120 million, a national estimate of this practice is very difficult. The most recent survey is a 1999 Demographic and Health Survey of 8,205 women nationally. This survey estimates that 25.1 percent of the women of Nigeria have undergone one of these
procedures.

According to a 1997 World Health Organization (WHO) study, an estimated 30,625 million women and girls, or about 60 percent of the nation’s total female population, have undergone one of these forms. A 1996 United Nations Development Systems study reported a similar number of 32.7 million Nigerian women affected. According to a Nigerian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Coalition study, 33 percent of all households practice one of these forms.

However, according to some Nigerian experts in the field, the actual incidence may be much higher than
these figures. Leaders of the Nigerian National Committee (also the Inter-African Committee of Nigeria on
Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children [IAC]) have been conducting a
state by state study of the practice.


The Women's Centre for Peace and Development (WOPED) has concluded that Nigerians continue this practice out of adherence to a cultural dictate that uncircumcised women are promiscuous, unclean, unmarriageable, physically undesirable and/or potential health risks to themselves and their children,
especially during childbirth. One traditional belief is that if a male child’s head touches the clitoris during childbirth, the child will die.
Type I:
Type I is the excision (removal) of the clitoral hood with or without removal of all or part of the clitoris.
Type II:
Type II is the excision (removal) of the clitoris together with part or all of the labia minora (the inner vaginal
lips).
Type III:
Type III is the excision (removal) of part or all of the external genitalia (clitoris, labia minora and labia majora) and stitching or narrowing of the vaginal opening, leaving a very small opening, about the size of a matchstick, to allow for the flow of urine and menstrual blood. The girl or woman’s legs are generally bound together from the hip to the ankle so she remains immobile for approximately 40 days to allow for the
formation of scar tissue.
Type IV:
Type IV includes the introduction of corrosive substances into the vagina. This form is practiced to a much lesser extent than the other forms in Nigeria.
These procedures can take place anytime from a few days after birth to a few days after death. In Edo State, for example, the procedure is performed within a few days after birth. In some very traditional communities, if a deceased woman is discovered to have never had the procedure, it may be performed on her before burial. In some communities it is performed on pregnant women during the birthing process and
accounts for much of the high morbidity and mortality rates. It varies among ethnic groups.

Highly respected women in the community, including traditional birth attendants (TBAs), local barbers and medical doctors and health workers usually perform the procedure. Unless performed in medical facilities, it is generally performed without the use of anesthesia.

The viola player

the crate digger

the author

All photos by Richard Louissaint

u gotta wonder sometimes if ur life is goign to end up somewhere unique if u aspire to it. or is it all Forrest Gump-like -- u stumble upon ur purposes.

this is like my fifth week with no gig or job and it is starting to bother me. my bank accounts are below $20. i have resigned myself to finding me an internship related to photography while i stay in limbo. So i will head out to ICP and meet with a fellow from the education department. The hours i log in will eventually give me access to their facilities and discount on their tuition.

In other news despite my writing off close to 4,000 dollars i may owe the government $300 or so. But my new accountant, who is Asian and carries Moi (means "me" in French) as her last name, has been a doll making usre i add in as much as i can. Next set of freelance checks (hopefully sooon), i will make sure to set aside money to send to the 'ment.

i did a photo shoot last week in DUMBO Brooklyn for an aspiring MC by the name of Von Pea, Despite the growing cold outside, i got a decent amonut of shots, which is peanuts compared to waht pros do. Plus i made the elmentary mistake of leaving the safty cover for my Mamiya back on and losing 12 shots.

I'm not depressed, sad or terribly annoyed, but something's go to give sooner or later.

Toots

my oh my my most recent gig is most likely dead in teh watre
the sinking ship known as the source laid off like 10 people , including my freidn and supervisor.

And since i am used to uncertainty, i am trying to cover my ass. and i also know i won't get any of my writing checks they owe me like many of my other colleagues.

So i hopefully will be in talks to do research at my new favorite rag Complex. and i get to interview Toots of Maytals fame this week for them. it will consist of me playing a cd of selected songs (from the albums being reviewed for the issue) and him comenting on it.

What i am listening to nowadays

Sia


Kanye West

Amy Winehouse

Sia's new album - she was a vocalist on Zero 7's breakthrough debut Simple Things