At the intersection of place, gender, and ethnicity: changes in female circumcision among Kenyan Maasai

Using an ethnographic approach that combines participant observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews, this study describes ongoing changes in the social norm and practice of female circumcision among the Maasai community of Loita Hills, Kenya. This article highlights the importance of place in shaping social relations, by showing how in Loita’s negotiations around female circumcision attention to the intersection of gender, culture, ethnicity and place–and in particular the ongoing effects of colonialism–is pivotal to successful efforts to change the tradition. By taking into account the effects of colonialism in Loita, as well as Maasai’s position at the margins of decision-making on female circumcision, the nongovernmental organisation SAFE Maa developed a successful approach to challenge the social norm on female circumcision. The four key elements of this approach–non-judgemental, community-led, intersectional, and showcasing wider change–can inspire other actors working on female circumcision. This research responds to the paucity of attention to place in intersectional studies and contributes to the growing body of literature that considers female genital cutting as a social norm.