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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
• 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