2. Sexual Cleansing
A foreign journalist speaks with girls ready to undergo sexual cleansing. Photo credit: BBC
Sexual cleansing, which is locally referred to as “Kusasa Fumbi,” is a popular African tradition practiced in several African countries, such as Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, and more.
During the ritual, a woman is expected to have sex with a professional male sex worker locally known as “hyena.”
This ritual occurs when a girl gets her first menstrual period, when a married woman loses her husband, or after an abortion.
At times, the ritual is carried out by a selected future husband or the widow’s brother-in-law. Hyenas are not supposed to use any form of protection when performing the ritual – a requirement that has played a big role in the spread of HIV, other STIs, and unwanted pregnancies.
