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The Last Nomad


In her brilliant memoir, Salh chronicles the unique survival skills and folklore...
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Were you surprised by the author's attitude toward the process of FGM? By anything else about FGM? As an adult, how does Salh approach the legacy of FGM and its impact on her body and mind?

Created: 08/25/22

Replies: 9

Posted Aug. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Were you surprised by the author's attitude toward the process of FGM? By anything else about FGM? As an adult, how does Salh approach the legacy of FGM and its impact on her body and mind?

During Salh's FGM process, she describes herself as being brave and prideful. She even admits that she scorned "the cowardly behavior" of the other girls who were scared and tried to run. Were you surprised by the author's attitude toward the process? By anything else about FGM? As an adult, how does Salh approach the legacy of FGM and its impact on her body and mind?


Posted Aug. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

As a young child, Salh’s only reference with regards to FGM was what she knew from her own people. It was the norm, it was expected, and part of being a woman. As an adult and a nurse, she has been exposed to different viewpoints on FGM and has an understanding of the detrimental health impacts of FGM. Yet, she maintains the she is not ashamed of her mutilations, understanding this was the norm of the Somalis —- this is seemingly a healthy point of view for something that can not be changed.


Posted Aug. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Kari J

Join Date: 09/21/21

Posts: 22

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

I was not surprised. I felt the bravery and pride that Salh expressed and I validate her feelings. In other countries we are brought up differently, but for her, FGM is her legacy and she is proud to continue the tradition. This is what she knows, and for her, FGM is to become a respected woman. To Somalians during this time FGM is not seen as a mutilation but a cleansing. Emotionally and mentally this is part of her self esteem - it is meant to be proud of.


Posted Aug. 26, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
acstrine

Join Date: 02/06/17

Posts: 438

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

I was surprised, particularly when she compared herself to the girls who were terrified, but only because FGM is not a part of my culture. It sounds painful and horrifying to me, but for Sahl, it was a rite of passage. I'm trying to think of something I could compare it to in my culture (American, midwestern), but I'm not really sure there is anything so controversial... maybe gun culture or piercing a baby's ears ???? It amazes me that in the early 1980's, Somalians were still practicing customs from the long ago clan system. It is almost as if time stood still. Knowing what I know as a woman born in America, who has benefited from the equality work for women many did before me, I would NEVER buy into a man telling me he didn't trust my morality and had discovered a way to protect me from myself. I do, however, respect the pride Sahl feels for having completed this circumcision. I found it pretty interesting how closely she held onto her Somali beliefs about intercourse/tightness even after coming to North America. I'm grateful that her husband was concerned enough about her pain and suffering, and even lack of pleasure during intercourse to suggest a surgery. Sahl recognizes that not all of her traditions and culture are the same as her children's. This is one of them she will leave in Arica.


Posted Aug. 27, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

I was not surprised at her attitude towards FGM basically because as a young women this is tradition that is expected to be pe4rfomed plus learning to be brave and endure pain and hardships as well as joy made her accept this cleansing of her body so she was ready for womanhood.


Posted Aug. 29, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

Salh is not ashamed of her body and sees it not as a mutilation but as a cultural rite of passage for a Somali woman. She does acknowledge that the tradition made it difficult to be intimate with her husband and agreed to surgery. She also knows that it is not appropriate for her own daughters. While she does not indicate the trauma of the event and instead focuses on her own bravery, it had to had an impact on her young life.


Posted Aug. 31, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
acstrine

Join Date: 02/06/17

Posts: 438

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

I posted this same comment in the other question about FGM. Maybe it makes more sense here.

Like a few other posters, I've been thinking about the fact that Sahl is now a nurse, and yet she still maintains a positive- -or at least proud view of her circumcision.

As a nurse, and a resident of both Canada and the United States, certainly Sahl realizes that it is possible for culture and tradition to evolve over time. Practices can change as we learn. It is ok to be proud of honoring your family and long held traditions, while also admitting the tradition is harmful, which appears to be what Sahl is saying here as she states she will not be carrying on this tradition with her children will not be carrying on this tradition with her children. (Help with page reference please. I've already loaned out the book!)

I volunteer in a Mexican town about 4 hours from the border with Arizona. This past June, there was unprecedented violence. Yet, when a Mexican friend of mine was interviewed by local reporters, she refused to say that she was scared or changing her routines. She told me that she was scared, but didn't want to admit it- -as she didn't want people to think bad things about her town, her state, or her country. It was more important to present the situation in a positive light. I think this must in some way be tied to self worth and how wrapped up it is in personal history and place.

Another interesting thing I think this brings up is whether or not it is acceptable EVER to criticize the behavior/traditions/culture of your country. Can you be a good citizen and still not agree with behaviors????


Posted Sep. 02, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

In response to acstrine’s question, I strongly believe that you can be a good citizen and disagree with the behavior that you are seeing in your country. Matter of fact, I believe it is an obligation to speak out if a given behavior is morally wrong, an extreme example would be genocide.


Posted Sep. 06, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jessica F

Join Date: 05/23/20

Posts: 165

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

Salh knew this to be a rite of passage and therefore accepted it with grace. I was pleased to hear that her husband was concerned about her pain/pleasure, and they did something to change that. I'm also certain that Salh now realizes that the FGM tradition is barbaric and would never approve.


Posted Sep. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
triciat50

Join Date: 02/26/22

Posts: 54

RE: Were you surprised by the author&#...

This entire subject to me (as a woman born and raised in the US, and the mother of a daughter) was horrifying. I understand that she had no control over the procedure, and that this is "normal" in Somalia, but I could not wrap my mind around that fact that she, as an adult, seemed to have a "well, that's just the way it was!" attitude. I'm glad that her husband was supportive of her as an adult, but still...nightmares.


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