Movie Review: "Nkuma (Female Genital Mutilation)"

Reviewed by Dibussi Tande

Nkuma (Female Genital Mutilation). An AFRICAphonie Production (with OSIWA support). Starring Marvis-Claire Imbolo as Bessem. Produced and directed by Mwalimu George Ngwane (1hr: 45 mins).

For over a decade, the issue of female circumcision or “Female Genital Mutilation” (FGM) has occupied a choice place in human rights campaigns, particularly in the West where it has been integrated into feminist discourse, with FGM mutilation being seen as a perfect symbol of the oppressive and brutal weight of patriarchal traditional African societies. As one report states:

"Female circumcision is an integral part of the societies that practice it, where patriarchal authority and control of female sexuality and fertility are givens... Although the societies that practice circumcision vary in many ways, most girls receive little education and are valued primarily for their future role as sources of labor and producers of children."

This discourse of oppression has greatly influenced the attitudes and approach of activist groups and organizations seeking to eradicate this practice. Often, they have adopted a confrontational, accusatory take-no-prisoners approach which has alienated potential allies. In many cases, this approach has led to indifference, defensiveness and even hostility – sometimes from women groups who view the issue in terms of “protecting tradition” and a necessary “rite of passage into womanhood”, and not in terms of “male domination”, “violence against women”, or “ritualized child abuse”. As Frances Althaus points out in the above mentioned report,

"Efforts to eliminate female circumcision have often been unsuccessful because opponents of the practice ignored its social and economic context. In some cases, external intervention has strengthened the resolve of communities to continue their genital cutting rituals as a way of resisting what they perceive as cultural imperialism."

While some still continue in the confrontational approach, many human rights and activist groups involved in the anti-FGM campaign are adopting new strategies based on collaboration, education and sensitization - usually with the help of local NGOs with a better grasp of the socio-cultural context in which the practice occurs.

It is this new approach that gave birth to Nkuma, an AFRICAphonie tele-film on FGM which premiered on Spectrum Television (Cameroon) on Women’s Day, March 8, 2007. According to the film’s director George Ngwane:

“Our approach in the tele-film is to find common ground through dispassionate dialogue between those who firmly believe that FGM is an initiation rite of passage to womanhood and those who see it as a violation of human or woman rights”.

The Plot
Bessem (played by Marvis-Claire Imbolo), is hounded by her in-laws because of her inability to have child. Later she finds out during a visit to the doctor that her inability to conceive is the result of FGM from her childhood. She then goes on a crusade to educate elders and women in her village about the long-term medical and other consequences of FGM, and to stop the planned annual initiation ceremony.

Things don’t go as planned as women folk put up a fierce resistance against what they perceive as a misguided attempt at imposing modernity and alien values on their hitherto peaceful village.

Nkuma is a simple but interesting film which shows that FGM is a complex issue which is more than just about the sexist agenda of patriarchal Africa. It also has the merit of steering away from off-putting preachy and moralistic discourse aimed at shaming traditionalist to change their ways. The film demonstrates the complexity of the fight against FGM by showing that in many instances, the most vocal proponents of FGM are the women folk, and that they, more than the men, need convincing about the demerits of FGM.

Education
Beyond the obvious clash between modernity and tradition which underlies Nkuma, the main message is that education and not recrimination is the ultimate key to ending this practice. FGM is not necessarily borne out of malice or out of a desire to dominate, but mainly out of ignorance and the uncritical promotion of all aspects of tradition.

With Nkuma, Ngwane has once again demonstrated that film is indeed a powerful medium for tackling complex, sensitive and controversial social issues.

Nkuma available on VCD.

For additional information contact AFRICAphonie:
Email: Africaphonie2000@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone: +237 766-8479

Starring:
Marvis-Claire Imbolo
Sally Ntalla
Nshom Bali Nofuru
Namme Elive Ivan

Script Writer:
Temeching Patricia Nkweteyim

Screen Adaptation: 
Kome Mathias Epie

Director of Photography:
Gobina Simon

Editor: 
Assoua Achille Eteki

Executive Director and Producer:
Mwalimu George Ngwane

Comments

[Adele]

Mutilation campaigner wins BBC award
A young Cameroonian who succeeded in getting the practice of female genital mutilation discontinued in his village has been selected as the winner of BBC World Service's Outlook programme's stand-up-for-your-rights competition.
British journalist and campaigner George Monbiot judged the entry by Cyril Ebie, from the small settlement of Mbemi - about 30km from the town of Bamenda in north-west Cameroon - as the overall winner.

Ebie had written in describing how he defended his sister from the torture of female genital mutilation - an act that forced him to leave the family home with his sister for nine months.

"I found his story incredibly powerful," said Mr Monbiot.

"He made a stand on something he felt very strongly about because it affected his family."

Protests and demonstrations

Mr Ebie explained in his entry that when he was growing up, he had been made to believe that female circumcision was an "act of virtue" for woman, and thus obligatory for every girl.

Indeed, his two older sisters had already undergone the practice.

But after hearing it condemned on a national radio debate, he approached his parents with reasons why his younger sister should not also undergo mutilation.
"They cursed my approach and refused my every word," he recalled.

"I was desperate and restless because my Dad assured me they would soon mutilate my kid sister for she's come of age."

Soon afterwards, Mr Ebie and his sister fled to a nearby city, where they stayed for nine months until one of their older sisters arrived and asked them to come home.

"My father had visited the council of elders to complain about the practice and how he lost his only son because he was trying to free the sister," he said.

"Tongue-tied elders could now speak out. The youths protested and demonstrated at the palace.

"When our Fon [king] saw that it was inevitable, he put a stop to it. Everyone was relieved especially the girls."

Mr Monbiot pointed out that in standing up against female genital mutilation, Mr Ebie was standing up against centuries of tradition.

"It's a problem that can only be addressed by people taking a stand and saying: 'Whatever the tradition might say, this is wrong and we will not submit to it.'"

Vindicated

It was also significant that, as a man, Mr Ebie had "stood up for the women in his family and for a man in West Africa, that in itself was a strong decision to take."

As the winner of the competition, Mr Ebie will receive a solar-powered wind-up radio.

The runners-up included Chima Uwah Ogbuh, who took on unions charging illegal fees to market traders in Benin, South African Geoffrey Neilson, who took a stand against compulsory military training as he felt it conflicted with his Christian beliefs, and Canadian Helen Manning, who fought for and got a life-saving operation for her daughter Helen, who had been born with holes in her heart.
Mr Monbiot said that it was a very close call and that all the entries had been of an extremely high standard.

"In all cases they'd paid a high personal cost - but what's also great about these stories is that the cost has been vindicated; they have come out on top," he said.

"They are heart-warming stories about how the human will can triumph in all sorts of circumstances against terrible oppression of all different kinds."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/6734261.stm

Published: 2007/06/08 17:01:53 GMT

© BBC MMVII

[George Esunge Fominyen]

I missed the premier of this project. Yet I have known Nwalimu George Ngwane for a while so I trust it would be a good job.

In my opinion, this is the way foward for us in Cameroon to create awareness about what we think should change. There is no better subtle weapon as art, especially cinema.

With the meteoric rise of video-filmsa in Nigeria and the desire to have something of our own increasing, it is time for those with the intellect and a cause to fight to use this tool, to great effect.

Courage brother Ngwane, do not stumble. Again, thanks to Dibussi for making it known to the rest of the world through this site!

[kei Fofie]

i'm totally proud of cameroon. i'm happy about the fact that cameroon has finally wake up from its slumber to join the other African countries in the movie world.Cameroonians are very talented it feels good to know that they'll be given the chance to proof their hidden potentials..
BRAVO..CAMEROON...

[ngum]

this sounds like a refreshing approach to the FGM debate. i'll definitely check it out.

[Yewande Ogunnaike]

Fantastic & Honourable Work!