In class today, we looked at a short film depicting the village of a Masi tribe. We also read about some of their customs and learned that they have preserved their culture from outside influences. But should all of their practices be protected? If you're a woman's rights lobbyist, I don't think you'd think so. The Masi circumcize women before they get married and they have to share husbands with other women. All of the wives do not live together, but are required to build their own huts out of cow dung when they get married. As they enter married life, the neighbors ridicule them with insults to remind these new brides that they must submit and serve their husbands. Should we really just stand by and let the Masi women be treated this way? Sure, in exchange for serving their husbands, they get protection and food, but can't those things be provided without making women lowly creatures? What's wrong with men only having one husband? Are they afraid one will not be able to satisfy them? Or is there really an inbalanced ratio of men to women? Just because the Masi culture has been preserved for hundreds, maybe thousands of years, doesn't mean that it has honorable values. But before we all jump to conclusions about these people, we certainly need to hear their perspective.
What points do you agree with or disagree with? Please leave your comments.
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