L’INSTITUTION SOCIALE PUBERTAIRE ET LA QUESTION DE L’EXCISION EN COTE D’IVOIRE : UNE PERSPECTIVE CULTURELLE DE SOLUTION

Abstract

Female circumcision is actually present in the four major ethno-cultural groups in Cote d'Ivoire. As a social institution comprising initiatory, educational, religious, economic and artistic functions, it also raises a real problem of sexual and reproductive health. Thus the ritual of female circumcision is found to be completely stigmatized, rejected, condemned and banished. As a matter of fact, several possible solutions have been proposed. And yet the phenomenon persists and resists. How can one explain and understand this sociological resistance in such a hostile environment? Which solution does socio-anthropology provide? Faced with these relevant questions, it has been suggested the hypothesis according to which it is traditionally sustained - consciously or not - the confusion and amalgam between the social institution as an overall socio-cultural entity with multiple functions and the surgical procedure as an isolated component of such an entity. From this observation, it obviously follows that the institution appears indeed distinct from surgery. In fact, puberty ritual is not limited to female circumcision. The fact thus basically highlighted, we are led to suggest the idea of rehabilitating and promoting the institution while renouncing the surgical procedure that has caused problems of sexual and reproductive health. The prospect of more conciliatory solution is defined as opening the institution to arts and tourism opportunities beneficial to all.