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The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree: How One Girl Fought to Save Herself, Her Sister and Thousands of Girls Worldwide
'A real hero looks like Nice Leng'ete . . . [An] elegant and inspiring memoir' New York Times
Nice Leng`ete was raised in a Maasai village in Kenya. In 1998, when Nice was six, her parents fell sick and died, and Nice and her sister Soila were taken in by their father's brother, who had little interest in the girls beyond what their dowries might fetch. Fearing "the cut" (female genital mutilation, a painful and sometimes deadly ritualistic surgery), which was the fate of all Maasai women, Nice and Soila climbed a tree to hide.
Nice hoped to find a way to avoid the cut forever, but Soila understood it would be impossible. But maybe if one of the sisters submitted, the other would be spared. After Soila chose to undergo the surgery, sacrificing herself to save Nice, their lives diverged. Soila married, dropped out of school, and had children -- all in her teenage years -- while Nice postponed receiving the cut, continued her education, and became the first in her family to attend college.
Supported by Amref, Nice used visits home to set an example for what an uncut Maasai woman can achieve. Other women listened, and the elders finally saw the value of intact, educated girls as the way of the future. The village has since ended FGM entirely, and Nice continues the fight to end FGM throughout Africa and the world.
Nice's journey from "heartbroken child and community outcast, to leader of the Maasai" is an inspiration and a reminder that one person can change the world -- and every girl is worth saving.
Nice Leng`ete was raised in a Maasai village in Kenya. In 1998, when Nice was six, her parents fell sick and died, and Nice and her sister Soila were taken in by their father's brother, who had little interest in the girls beyond what their dowries might fetch. Fearing "the cut" (female genital mutilation, a painful and sometimes deadly ritualistic surgery), which was the fate of all Maasai women, Nice and Soila climbed a tree to hide.
Nice hoped to find a way to avoid the cut forever, but Soila understood it would be impossible. But maybe if one of the sisters submitted, the other would be spared. After Soila chose to undergo the surgery, sacrificing herself to save Nice, their lives diverged. Soila married, dropped out of school, and had children -- all in her teenage years -- while Nice postponed receiving the cut, continued her education, and became the first in her family to attend college.
Supported by Amref, Nice used visits home to set an example for what an uncut Maasai woman can achieve. Other women listened, and the elders finally saw the value of intact, educated girls as the way of the future. The village has since ended FGM entirely, and Nice continues the fight to end FGM throughout Africa and the world.
Nice's journey from "heartbroken child and community outcast, to leader of the Maasai" is an inspiration and a reminder that one person can change the world -- and every girl is worth saving.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2021
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September 30, 2022
This is the bio of Nice Leng'ete, a young Maasai Tribe woman from Kenya, who defied tradition, avoided FGM (female genital mutilation), gained an education, and returned to help her people's progress and development. I found it interesting, engaging, and informative.
Although the narrative revolves much about FGM and its impact on African women, this book is more than that. I found Leng'ete's narrative of her daily life in the context of African tribal culture very interesting. In Maasai culture, a man is only considered prosperous if having many cattle and many children --- lacking in either, he is not. Men do the job of ranching and raising cattle --- women do the job of household chores, cooking, bearing and raising the children --- and, if she has time and resources to do so on the side, farming. Many Maasai families are polygamous --- as was the case with Leng'ete's family. From Western perspective, this family structure may seem traditional, patriarchal, and even repressive, but Leng'ete describes a good solid loving family.
However, that idyll was fractured one day when, taken by her mother as part of the tribe to observe the traditional female rite of passage to womanhood, she observed female genital mutilation (FGM).
FGM has also been known previously as "female circumcision". However, other involving a procedure done with genitalia, it shares nothing in common with male circumcision. In that, as many know, the relatively useless foreskin of the penis is removed, and other than some temporary pain, men retain normal sexual and urinary function in every way. In contrast, with FGM, the girl's clitoris is removed --- the Maasai method being via a razor (usually not sanitized) by a midwife. The result is considerable pain and blood loss --- the blood loss being stanched by the midwife with dirt and dung. Suffice to say, more than a few girls get infected and die. But those surviving FGM then go on to experience loss of sexual pleasure, incontinence, pain and greater than normal difficulties during child birth, and long term complications throughout the female reproductive tract. In short, if the equivalent of FGM was done to men, it is more akin to having the head of the penis sliced off.
But it's more than just medical complications ---- FGM being so medically traumatic, most Maasai girls had to take months off from school, only to fall so far behind, they never return to school. And, in that culture, after FGM, now being a "woman", they may now be married off --- even at ages as young as 12-14.
So Leng'ete, enjoying school, and seeing the emphasis on education from her father, had good reasons to loathe FGM, notwithstanding the intense cultural pressures to get "the cut" as Maasai term it.
Sadly, both her parents perished due to AIDS, leaving her and her siblings as orphans to be parceled to various family members. With respect to Leng'ete and her sister, they ended up assigned to her grandfather --- to be physically abused by their step-grandmother who treated them as little better than slaves.
Nevertheless, Leng'ete did prevail upon her grandfather to permit her to attend school --- but most of the costs of doing so had to come from her own efforts, working odd jobs, making crafts --- whatever she could do to pay for her own education.
As the years continued, pressures from other family members --- especially her uncles --- built in the tribe to force her to get "the cut". There seems to have been an ulterior motive here --- they sought the dowry coming from giving her away to some marriage suitor --- but she would not marriageable until FGM in their culture.
At this point, I think that Leng'ete's grandfather deserves accolades. It is not easy for one to see beyond the confines of culture, peer pressure, tradition, and life experience --- and, in African tribal culture, the pressures are immense upon elders to keep traditions and uphold the tribe. Yet tribal culture also esteems the wisdom and status of elders, and, only with that gravitas given by her grandfather, could Leng'ete have had any chance of avoiding FGM and continuing her education --- which he wisely --- and bravely --- did so.
Leng'ete would continue her education, graduate high school and go to college. She then devoted her life to changing Maasai traditions
This is not easy to do --- and, in my opinion, more than a few Western NGOs have likely squandered hundreds of millions in aid in terms of efficacy for the people they meant to help due to failure to understand how to work with African tribal society, instead of against it, to effect progress in bettering the people they mean to help.
The patience and approaches used by Leng'ete and her coworkers at ending FGM and helping people with education and other improvements are interesting, and, perhaps, show a better way at reaching people in these traditional societies such that they're respected, yet helped in ways suitable for their culture and traditions.
I think this is an excellent book for anyone interested in learning more about the FGM issue in Africa, about African women's issues, about tribal societies in Africa --- or in reading an uplifting inspiring story of someone who's making a difference. I highly recommend it.
Although the narrative revolves much about FGM and its impact on African women, this book is more than that. I found Leng'ete's narrative of her daily life in the context of African tribal culture very interesting. In Maasai culture, a man is only considered prosperous if having many cattle and many children --- lacking in either, he is not. Men do the job of ranching and raising cattle --- women do the job of household chores, cooking, bearing and raising the children --- and, if she has time and resources to do so on the side, farming. Many Maasai families are polygamous --- as was the case with Leng'ete's family. From Western perspective, this family structure may seem traditional, patriarchal, and even repressive, but Leng'ete describes a good solid loving family.
However, that idyll was fractured one day when, taken by her mother as part of the tribe to observe the traditional female rite of passage to womanhood, she observed female genital mutilation (FGM).
FGM has also been known previously as "female circumcision". However, other involving a procedure done with genitalia, it shares nothing in common with male circumcision. In that, as many know, the relatively useless foreskin of the penis is removed, and other than some temporary pain, men retain normal sexual and urinary function in every way. In contrast, with FGM, the girl's clitoris is removed --- the Maasai method being via a razor (usually not sanitized) by a midwife. The result is considerable pain and blood loss --- the blood loss being stanched by the midwife with dirt and dung. Suffice to say, more than a few girls get infected and die. But those surviving FGM then go on to experience loss of sexual pleasure, incontinence, pain and greater than normal difficulties during child birth, and long term complications throughout the female reproductive tract. In short, if the equivalent of FGM was done to men, it is more akin to having the head of the penis sliced off.
But it's more than just medical complications ---- FGM being so medically traumatic, most Maasai girls had to take months off from school, only to fall so far behind, they never return to school. And, in that culture, after FGM, now being a "woman", they may now be married off --- even at ages as young as 12-14.
So Leng'ete, enjoying school, and seeing the emphasis on education from her father, had good reasons to loathe FGM, notwithstanding the intense cultural pressures to get "the cut" as Maasai term it.
Sadly, both her parents perished due to AIDS, leaving her and her siblings as orphans to be parceled to various family members. With respect to Leng'ete and her sister, they ended up assigned to her grandfather --- to be physically abused by their step-grandmother who treated them as little better than slaves.
Nevertheless, Leng'ete did prevail upon her grandfather to permit her to attend school --- but most of the costs of doing so had to come from her own efforts, working odd jobs, making crafts --- whatever she could do to pay for her own education.
As the years continued, pressures from other family members --- especially her uncles --- built in the tribe to force her to get "the cut". There seems to have been an ulterior motive here --- they sought the dowry coming from giving her away to some marriage suitor --- but she would not marriageable until FGM in their culture.
At this point, I think that Leng'ete's grandfather deserves accolades. It is not easy for one to see beyond the confines of culture, peer pressure, tradition, and life experience --- and, in African tribal culture, the pressures are immense upon elders to keep traditions and uphold the tribe. Yet tribal culture also esteems the wisdom and status of elders, and, only with that gravitas given by her grandfather, could Leng'ete have had any chance of avoiding FGM and continuing her education --- which he wisely --- and bravely --- did so.
Leng'ete would continue her education, graduate high school and go to college. She then devoted her life to changing Maasai traditions
This is not easy to do --- and, in my opinion, more than a few Western NGOs have likely squandered hundreds of millions in aid in terms of efficacy for the people they meant to help due to failure to understand how to work with African tribal society, instead of against it, to effect progress in bettering the people they mean to help.
The patience and approaches used by Leng'ete and her coworkers at ending FGM and helping people with education and other improvements are interesting, and, perhaps, show a better way at reaching people in these traditional societies such that they're respected, yet helped in ways suitable for their culture and traditions.
I think this is an excellent book for anyone interested in learning more about the FGM issue in Africa, about African women's issues, about tribal societies in Africa --- or in reading an uplifting inspiring story of someone who's making a difference. I highly recommend it.
October 25, 2021
A fantastic read, this autobiography gave me a glimpse into foreign cultures and traditions I was not expecting to learn. Especially what Maasai boys and girls went through, the young boys and girls around 12 years olds are getting circumcised without anesthesia to be considered men and women. The age-mates’ rules for sharing wives was an unexpected surprise. As I read, I googled Maasai houses to see how they looked like. It’s interesting that the women were the ones to build the houses which were made of dung and mud. Won’t that be stinky? I loved learning the hospitality of the Maasai people. I enjoyed reading the tales within this book. I cringed when I read the process of the cut. Ouch! The story behind it was a severed form of punishment. Child abuse always make me sad and so sad that in other parts of the country, kids were made to work so hard that they could forfeit their childhood and even their life. Growing up in rural villages but have the desire for higher education is one of a kind and I admire Nice and other girls for having that interest, especially at a young age. That’s awesome that the author was invited to give a TED Talks. I need to watch it.
This book started with an introduction to the author and her names. Then the story began where Nice grew up, a Maasai Village near Kenya and Tanzania with the view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The small town was dry with dust everywhere and their homes were small with just the beds made of stretched cowhide for furniture. She has an older brother Kevin, sister named Soila who was 3 years older than her and a younger brother. Young Maasai children were required to have their cheeks tattooed with a heated metal circle. To be considered men and women, pre-teen boys and girls were required to be circumcised. The girls were to endured the cut of her clitoris, a tradition that was passed down from generations before. The story was that the clit makes women lustful and bad decisions were made through the feelings of lust; therefore the cut was practiced to keep women loyal. However, if girls refused to undergo the cut, they will be outcast, their family shamed, they won’t be considered adults and couldn’t get married. There were color pictures of the author’s family and relatives within this book. The author told her story starting 4 years old.
The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree was well written and unputdownable. The story pulled me in and kept me continue reading and turning the pages. I was fascinated by the different traditions of the Maasai people. The story of girls couldn’t say no to men was a vulnerable one because then girls were being taken advantage of sexually, possibly her mother who got married when pregnant with someone else’s kid. I admire Nice’s mom for her strength to carry so much: water on her head and arms and a baby on her back. Life sounded so tough in a small village and I knew of it because I have lived in one before when I was younger, though Africa sounded way poorer than mine. An inspirational read. I admire the author’s dad, having very little education but knew how to think to make a difference and made changes to the way of life, changing for the better of the Maasai people. Reading about Nice and the challenges she faced was inspiring. It helped that her grandfather had power, but mostly, she was persistent in her missions and it paid off. Even when she was outcast for her defiance of the cut, she didn’t care what people think and kept coming back to her hometown to help others. When Nice failed at her mission, she tried different tactics until she accomplished what she set out to do. Definitely amazing. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to Little Brown for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
.
This book started with an introduction to the author and her names. Then the story began where Nice grew up, a Maasai Village near Kenya and Tanzania with the view of Mount Kilimanjaro. The small town was dry with dust everywhere and their homes were small with just the beds made of stretched cowhide for furniture. She has an older brother Kevin, sister named Soila who was 3 years older than her and a younger brother. Young Maasai children were required to have their cheeks tattooed with a heated metal circle. To be considered men and women, pre-teen boys and girls were required to be circumcised. The girls were to endured the cut of her clitoris, a tradition that was passed down from generations before. The story was that the clit makes women lustful and bad decisions were made through the feelings of lust; therefore the cut was practiced to keep women loyal. However, if girls refused to undergo the cut, they will be outcast, their family shamed, they won’t be considered adults and couldn’t get married. There were color pictures of the author’s family and relatives within this book. The author told her story starting 4 years old.
The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree was well written and unputdownable. The story pulled me in and kept me continue reading and turning the pages. I was fascinated by the different traditions of the Maasai people. The story of girls couldn’t say no to men was a vulnerable one because then girls were being taken advantage of sexually, possibly her mother who got married when pregnant with someone else’s kid. I admire Nice’s mom for her strength to carry so much: water on her head and arms and a baby on her back. Life sounded so tough in a small village and I knew of it because I have lived in one before when I was younger, though Africa sounded way poorer than mine. An inspirational read. I admire the author’s dad, having very little education but knew how to think to make a difference and made changes to the way of life, changing for the better of the Maasai people. Reading about Nice and the challenges she faced was inspiring. It helped that her grandfather had power, but mostly, she was persistent in her missions and it paid off. Even when she was outcast for her defiance of the cut, she didn’t care what people think and kept coming back to her hometown to help others. When Nice failed at her mission, she tried different tactics until she accomplished what she set out to do. Definitely amazing. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.Howusefulitis.com for more details
Many thanks to Little Brown for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
.
January 15, 2023
Interesting journey of a woman who challenged the ways of her Kenyan tribe of FGM and her story growing up
June 28, 2023
The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree is a poignant and inspiring memoir that takes readers on an emotional journey through Nice Leng'ete's fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). Written with Elizabeth Butler-Witter, the book sheds light on the deeply rooted cultural practice and its devastating consequences for girls. Leng'ete's determination to challenge age-old traditions and empower young girls is captured in raw and authentic storytelling.
The narrative explores the interconnectedness of culture, tradition, and gender inequality, offering readers a deeper understanding of the complex factors at play. With engaging writing and short, fast-paced chapters, the book effectively conveys Leng'ete's message and the power of grassroots activism. This memoir is a must-read for those interested in human rights and the fight against harmful cultural practices.
Read the detailed review here - Books Charming
The narrative explores the interconnectedness of culture, tradition, and gender inequality, offering readers a deeper understanding of the complex factors at play. With engaging writing and short, fast-paced chapters, the book effectively conveys Leng'ete's message and the power of grassroots activism. This memoir is a must-read for those interested in human rights and the fight against harmful cultural practices.
Read the detailed review here - Books Charming
July 26, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
AMAZING. INCREDIBLE. INSPIRING.
AMAZING. INCREDIBLE. INSPIRING.
June 5, 2022
It was a great story but wish it had been better written. I made myself finish and glad I did
October 27, 2021
Nayeli - per RFS
.
" Le cerimonie di nozze Masai sono tristi per la sposa. Soila avrebbe pianto, e io avevo già detto addio a troppe persone. A dodici anni mia sorella dovette accollarsi tutte le responsabilità di una donna adulta."
È un romanzo toccante in cui l’autrice, Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, una ragazza keniota masai oggi attivista per AMREF e ambasciatrice globale contro le mutilazioni genitali femminili e i matrimoni precoci, si racconta e ci parla di come è rimasta orfana e ha lottato per il suo diritto allo studio, riuscendo a evitare l’infibulazione e a riscattarsi dalla posizione di reietta nella quale hanno iniziato a vederla i membri della sua comunità.
Ci parla della sua terra e della cultura Masai, delle tradizioni e del forte legame tra gruppi familiari, il senso dell’ospitalità e generosità della comunità ma anche del giogo dell’asservimento delle donne operato partendo proprio dal potere di decidere sul loro corpo.
" Oggi si stima che circa duecento milioni di donne in tutto il mondo abbiano subito una di queste forme di mutilazione genitale. Le spiegazioni culturali possono variare, ma tutte le MGF hanno un unico obiettivo: limitare e controllare le vite delle donne. Io avevo visto quei limiti nella mia stessa famiglia. E nella vita di mia sorella Soila. Dopo il taglio, una ragazza non è più padrona del proprio corpo. Un aspetto che non avevo ancora chiaro quando sono fuggita: allora sapevo soltanto che volevo studiare, non sposarmi. "
Notata da AMREF per i suoi tenaci sforzi nel dialogare con le comunità grazie ai quali è riuscita a salvare molte bambine da un destino doloroso, prematuro e privo di istruzione, ha convinto i leader più anziani di varie comunità di villaggio keniote ad ascoltarla (nonostante donna, anzi ancora “bambina” ai loro occhi, non avendo superato il rito di iniziazione) e a sostituire la mutilazione genitale con altre formule rituali più rispettose, sane e capaci di assicurare ai ragazzi e alle ragazze maggior benessere (perché evitare matrimoni precoci e permettere non solo alle bambine ma anche ai bambini di studiare più a lungo significa avere migliori opportunità di reddito). Abile ascoltatrice e negoziatrice, figlia di un uomo che nel mondo occidentale chiamerebbero “politico”, Nice ha instaurato un dialogo non solo con gli anziani, ma anche con i giovani guerrieri futuri mariti, ai quali ha posto una provocazione: preferite una moglie che provi piacere o una che provi dolore e cerchi di evitare il sesso?
Proprio in questi giorni, inoltre (il 10 ottobre) Nice ha inaugurato una casa di accoglienza per le ragazzine in fuga che rifiutano l’infibulazione.
" Ero una donna, e tra i Masai le donne non intavolano discussioni con gli uomini. Anzi, non ci si aspetta proprio che partecipino al dibattito. È compito degli uomini decidere per tutti. E io avevo ancora meno diritti delle altre perché, non avendo subito il taglio, non ero neanche una donna. Tecnicamente, ero ancora una bambina. Gli uomini mi avrebbero riso in faccia. Mai e poi mai si sarebbero abbassati a prestarmi ascolto."
Nonostante sia stata inserita tra le 100 personalità più influenti del 2018 secondo il Time, il racconto di Nice ha una voce umile e pacata. Ci parla di sé mostrando il suo lato più ingenuo, vulnerabile e umano, colmo d’amore per i genitori e per le sorelle, di rispetto per il nonno anziano, con le insicurezze di una bambina fuggita a 8 anni con un sogno grande e una determinazione interiore che la rende granitica nel perseguire ciò che vuole, nonostante le paure legate al dover camminare nel mondo da sola.
" Amo le nostre tradizioni: il rosso dei nostri shuka, i nostri canti con tante voci diverse unite in una melodia complessa, la generosità con cui ciascuno condivide ciò che ha con i parenti e i vicini. Però ci sono molti aspetti della nostra vita che vorrei cambiare: la povertà, la mancanza di istruzione e, soprattutto, la condizione delle donne. Cambiare non significa rinunciare a ciò che abbiamo di buono. Significa conservare il meglio e accettare la necessità di crescere."
Una lettura in cui si respira l’Africa, si accetta la coerenza di un mondo fatto di tradizioni millenarie, ma nel quale Nice ci mostra come, prendendosi per mano, ascoltando e dialogando senza imporre nulla dall’alto, sia possibile accompagnare queste comunità a prendere decisioni migliori, a implementare le loro tradizioni in modo che diano maggior benessere a tutti coloro che ne fanno parte. Un lavoro lungo e paziente che per ottenere risultati deve essere compreso dalle bambine, dalle madri, dagli anziani e dai giovani guerrieri prossimi mariti, unico modo in cui i cambiamenti potranno essere duraturi e consapevoli.
" Ma su una cosa devo dare ragione al mio collega: non si innescano cambiamenti duraturi imponendo le proprie idee dall’alto. Per trovare una soluzione autentica bisogna prima capire perché in una data comunità è sorto il problema. Molte comunità islamiche considerano le MGF come un comandamento religioso, anche se ci sono dei musulmani che la pensano diversamente. Altrove il taglio è considerato una precauzione sanitaria. In altre comunità ancora il movente è il controllo della sessualità femminile. Esistono differenze e sfumature persino all’interno della sola cultura Masai. "
Consiglio a tutti di rivedere il suo intervento “Changing traditions” a TEDxAmsterdam, dove una Nice 21enne nei suoi abiti tradizionali colorati e meravigliosi, esprime tutta la sua determinazione con voce tremante e dolcissima.
.
" Le cerimonie di nozze Masai sono tristi per la sposa. Soila avrebbe pianto, e io avevo già detto addio a troppe persone. A dodici anni mia sorella dovette accollarsi tutte le responsabilità di una donna adulta."
È un romanzo toccante in cui l’autrice, Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, una ragazza keniota masai oggi attivista per AMREF e ambasciatrice globale contro le mutilazioni genitali femminili e i matrimoni precoci, si racconta e ci parla di come è rimasta orfana e ha lottato per il suo diritto allo studio, riuscendo a evitare l’infibulazione e a riscattarsi dalla posizione di reietta nella quale hanno iniziato a vederla i membri della sua comunità.
Ci parla della sua terra e della cultura Masai, delle tradizioni e del forte legame tra gruppi familiari, il senso dell’ospitalità e generosità della comunità ma anche del giogo dell’asservimento delle donne operato partendo proprio dal potere di decidere sul loro corpo.
" Oggi si stima che circa duecento milioni di donne in tutto il mondo abbiano subito una di queste forme di mutilazione genitale. Le spiegazioni culturali possono variare, ma tutte le MGF hanno un unico obiettivo: limitare e controllare le vite delle donne. Io avevo visto quei limiti nella mia stessa famiglia. E nella vita di mia sorella Soila. Dopo il taglio, una ragazza non è più padrona del proprio corpo. Un aspetto che non avevo ancora chiaro quando sono fuggita: allora sapevo soltanto che volevo studiare, non sposarmi. "
Notata da AMREF per i suoi tenaci sforzi nel dialogare con le comunità grazie ai quali è riuscita a salvare molte bambine da un destino doloroso, prematuro e privo di istruzione, ha convinto i leader più anziani di varie comunità di villaggio keniote ad ascoltarla (nonostante donna, anzi ancora “bambina” ai loro occhi, non avendo superato il rito di iniziazione) e a sostituire la mutilazione genitale con altre formule rituali più rispettose, sane e capaci di assicurare ai ragazzi e alle ragazze maggior benessere (perché evitare matrimoni precoci e permettere non solo alle bambine ma anche ai bambini di studiare più a lungo significa avere migliori opportunità di reddito). Abile ascoltatrice e negoziatrice, figlia di un uomo che nel mondo occidentale chiamerebbero “politico”, Nice ha instaurato un dialogo non solo con gli anziani, ma anche con i giovani guerrieri futuri mariti, ai quali ha posto una provocazione: preferite una moglie che provi piacere o una che provi dolore e cerchi di evitare il sesso?
Proprio in questi giorni, inoltre (il 10 ottobre) Nice ha inaugurato una casa di accoglienza per le ragazzine in fuga che rifiutano l’infibulazione.
" Ero una donna, e tra i Masai le donne non intavolano discussioni con gli uomini. Anzi, non ci si aspetta proprio che partecipino al dibattito. È compito degli uomini decidere per tutti. E io avevo ancora meno diritti delle altre perché, non avendo subito il taglio, non ero neanche una donna. Tecnicamente, ero ancora una bambina. Gli uomini mi avrebbero riso in faccia. Mai e poi mai si sarebbero abbassati a prestarmi ascolto."
Nonostante sia stata inserita tra le 100 personalità più influenti del 2018 secondo il Time, il racconto di Nice ha una voce umile e pacata. Ci parla di sé mostrando il suo lato più ingenuo, vulnerabile e umano, colmo d’amore per i genitori e per le sorelle, di rispetto per il nonno anziano, con le insicurezze di una bambina fuggita a 8 anni con un sogno grande e una determinazione interiore che la rende granitica nel perseguire ciò che vuole, nonostante le paure legate al dover camminare nel mondo da sola.
" Amo le nostre tradizioni: il rosso dei nostri shuka, i nostri canti con tante voci diverse unite in una melodia complessa, la generosità con cui ciascuno condivide ciò che ha con i parenti e i vicini. Però ci sono molti aspetti della nostra vita che vorrei cambiare: la povertà, la mancanza di istruzione e, soprattutto, la condizione delle donne. Cambiare non significa rinunciare a ciò che abbiamo di buono. Significa conservare il meglio e accettare la necessità di crescere."
Una lettura in cui si respira l’Africa, si accetta la coerenza di un mondo fatto di tradizioni millenarie, ma nel quale Nice ci mostra come, prendendosi per mano, ascoltando e dialogando senza imporre nulla dall’alto, sia possibile accompagnare queste comunità a prendere decisioni migliori, a implementare le loro tradizioni in modo che diano maggior benessere a tutti coloro che ne fanno parte. Un lavoro lungo e paziente che per ottenere risultati deve essere compreso dalle bambine, dalle madri, dagli anziani e dai giovani guerrieri prossimi mariti, unico modo in cui i cambiamenti potranno essere duraturi e consapevoli.
" Ma su una cosa devo dare ragione al mio collega: non si innescano cambiamenti duraturi imponendo le proprie idee dall’alto. Per trovare una soluzione autentica bisogna prima capire perché in una data comunità è sorto il problema. Molte comunità islamiche considerano le MGF come un comandamento religioso, anche se ci sono dei musulmani che la pensano diversamente. Altrove il taglio è considerato una precauzione sanitaria. In altre comunità ancora il movente è il controllo della sessualità femminile. Esistono differenze e sfumature persino all’interno della sola cultura Masai. "
Consiglio a tutti di rivedere il suo intervento “Changing traditions” a TEDxAmsterdam, dove una Nice 21enne nei suoi abiti tradizionali colorati e meravigliosi, esprime tutta la sua determinazione con voce tremante e dolcissima.
November 10, 2021
The Girls in the Wild Fig Tree: How I Fought to Save Myself, My Sister, and Thousands of Girls Worldwide by Nice Leng'ete
Published September 14, 2021
<3 A powerful and graphic memoir. This was so well done! <3
The inspirational true story of one girl who changed the minds of her elders, reformed traditions from the inside, and is creating a better future for girls and women throughout Africa.
Nice Leng'ete was raised in a Maasai village in Kenya. In 1998, when Nice was six, her parents fell sick and died, and Nice and her sister Soila were taken in by their father's brother, who had little interest in the girls beyond what their dowries might fetch. Fearing "the cut" (female genital mutilation, a painful and sometimes deadly ritualistic surgery), which was the fate of all Maasai women, Nice and Soila climbed a tree to hide. Nice hoped to find a way to avoid the cut forever, but Soila understood it would be impossible. But maybe if one of the sisters submitted, the other would be spared. After Soila chose to undergo the surgery, sacrificing herself to save Nice, their lives diverged. Soila married, dropped out of school, and had children–all in her teenage years–while Nice postponed receiving the cut, continued her education, and became the first in her family to attend college.
Supported by Amref, Nice used visits home to set an example for what an uncut Maasai woman can achieve. Other women listened, and the elders finally saw the value of intact, educated girls as the way of the future. The village has since ended FGM entirely, and Nice continues the fight to end FGM throughout Africa, and the world. Nice's journey from "heartbroken child and community outcast, to leader of the Maasai" is an inspiration and a reminder that one person can change the world–and every girl is worth saving.
Published September 14, 2021
<3 A powerful and graphic memoir. This was so well done! <3
The inspirational true story of one girl who changed the minds of her elders, reformed traditions from the inside, and is creating a better future for girls and women throughout Africa.
Nice Leng'ete was raised in a Maasai village in Kenya. In 1998, when Nice was six, her parents fell sick and died, and Nice and her sister Soila were taken in by their father's brother, who had little interest in the girls beyond what their dowries might fetch. Fearing "the cut" (female genital mutilation, a painful and sometimes deadly ritualistic surgery), which was the fate of all Maasai women, Nice and Soila climbed a tree to hide. Nice hoped to find a way to avoid the cut forever, but Soila understood it would be impossible. But maybe if one of the sisters submitted, the other would be spared. After Soila chose to undergo the surgery, sacrificing herself to save Nice, their lives diverged. Soila married, dropped out of school, and had children–all in her teenage years–while Nice postponed receiving the cut, continued her education, and became the first in her family to attend college.
Supported by Amref, Nice used visits home to set an example for what an uncut Maasai woman can achieve. Other women listened, and the elders finally saw the value of intact, educated girls as the way of the future. The village has since ended FGM entirely, and Nice continues the fight to end FGM throughout Africa, and the world. Nice's journey from "heartbroken child and community outcast, to leader of the Maasai" is an inspiration and a reminder that one person can change the world–and every girl is worth saving.
January 29, 2022
Informative and inspiring. I admire Nice so much for working so hard to try and improve the lives of girls. For speaking up and using her voice to share her story, even though she was so nervous to do so at first.
October 1, 2023
this was an amazing book- this author is an amazing woman, i want to listen to any and all of her speeches. i sobbed
June 24, 2024
Read as part of Shelterbox book club, wouldn’t normally pick up a book about FGM having learned about it whilst working at a women’s charity, but this memoir from a perspective of Nice who escaped FGM and is helping to end it is inspirational and moving. Really interesting to get the insight into the Maasai community and read Nice’s story.
June 15, 2024
A touching and deeply triggering read.
The author is very candid in her approach, which helped me to be instantly connected.
So much rawness and important topics highlighted in this book. Raises awareness of FGM and the steps the author went through to bring about positive change.
100% recommend!
The author is very candid in her approach, which helped me to be instantly connected.
So much rawness and important topics highlighted in this book. Raises awareness of FGM and the steps the author went through to bring about positive change.
100% recommend!
June 18, 2024
Very interesting story about a Masaai woman’s fight against FGM in her community. Easy and quick to read!
July 1, 2024
Read with Shelterbox Bookclub UK
June 19, 2024
It is clearly written in short chapters, maybe helped by co author, and is an easy read. Early chapters describe a happy rural childhood marred by running from face branding, and watching the cut , FGM, to a girl who died as a result. Her parents were unusually keen on education, her father was an elder who was very positive.She describes the attractive aspects of rural culture , the shared help, responsibility for children, respect for elders; then the bad, the extreme male dominance, the cut, and for her, the theft of the money collected for her when her father was dying. The comment that her mother walked next to her father rather than as was custom, behind, is telling. I felt her picture of rural life was rather idealised.
As she grows older and followed her politician father, she had learned his methods of establishing dialogue between Maasai and KWA and foreign NGO’s. The chapters on family deaths are short but moving. She captures the universality of family loss well.
Finally, she escapes the cut by running away, twice, then going to boarding school, thanks to a sympathetic grandfather, despite now being an entapáis, someone who brings shame on her family. Despite poverty she thrives with an especially sympathetic teacher. Her contact with the Amref NGO helps her to spread the idea that the cut isn’t necessary, with some success. She tells Soila, her sister, who was cut, about contraception, she already had 3 children as a teenager.
Then she went to Nairobi, for college education, and was helped by fellow Maasai, but lived on the edge, and was conned out of her mobile . It was a very lonely existence without family support. It is easy to see from her experiences how the big city lure leads to disaster for so many young women. Her ongoing career with Amref brought her the satisfaction of saving many girls from the cut. Promotion enables her to impact many more girls, but the key is persuading all the Maasai elders to change the constitution for the future, so the cut is replaced by an alternative ceremony.
Her nerves faced with the journey to Amsterdam to give a Ted talk are amusing but revealing. I have been involved with bringing rural Fairtrade coffee growers to the UK, who have faced similar stress, and wonder if we brief them well enough.
Her recent project, the Nice centre, aims to produce more female leaders. I would hope she is successful.
She is a most formidable and talented woman, but the book says nothing of her personal aspirations, outside of her work, there is no mention of relationships or desire for children and family.
A heartwarming story, that I received from Shelterbox book group, a UK disaster relief charity.
Her Amsterdam Ted talk is available on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8sMw...
As she grows older and followed her politician father, she had learned his methods of establishing dialogue between Maasai and KWA and foreign NGO’s. The chapters on family deaths are short but moving. She captures the universality of family loss well.
Finally, she escapes the cut by running away, twice, then going to boarding school, thanks to a sympathetic grandfather, despite now being an entapáis, someone who brings shame on her family. Despite poverty she thrives with an especially sympathetic teacher. Her contact with the Amref NGO helps her to spread the idea that the cut isn’t necessary, with some success. She tells Soila, her sister, who was cut, about contraception, she already had 3 children as a teenager.
Then she went to Nairobi, for college education, and was helped by fellow Maasai, but lived on the edge, and was conned out of her mobile . It was a very lonely existence without family support. It is easy to see from her experiences how the big city lure leads to disaster for so many young women. Her ongoing career with Amref brought her the satisfaction of saving many girls from the cut. Promotion enables her to impact many more girls, but the key is persuading all the Maasai elders to change the constitution for the future, so the cut is replaced by an alternative ceremony.
Her nerves faced with the journey to Amsterdam to give a Ted talk are amusing but revealing. I have been involved with bringing rural Fairtrade coffee growers to the UK, who have faced similar stress, and wonder if we brief them well enough.
Her recent project, the Nice centre, aims to produce more female leaders. I would hope she is successful.
She is a most formidable and talented woman, but the book says nothing of her personal aspirations, outside of her work, there is no mention of relationships or desire for children and family.
A heartwarming story, that I received from Shelterbox book group, a UK disaster relief charity.
Her Amsterdam Ted talk is available on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8sMw...
February 19, 2023
My gosh. What a stunning book and what an incredible woman Nice Leng’ete is. I learned SOO much about a culture and people group I was completely ignorant about. Nice’s ability to speak with such warmth, compassion, and respect towards the Maasai’s culture and traditions, while calling much into question and criticism, was deeply compelling. I just can’t overstate how much I learned. A content warning is in order for several graphic descriptions of FGM ceremonies (aka play by plays of “the cut”) and descriptions of the physical child abuse she endured herself…but overall, this memoir was thoughtful, moving, and inspiring. Cannot recommend it enough. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 15, 2021
What an incredible woman, what an incredible story or survival, education, family and love of culture and a desire to make the world better for young women. This is a wonderful book. Her accomplishments working towards an end of FMG in her own community and beyond are impressive. It reads as Nice speaks, and it is well worth the 10 min to watch her Tedx Amsterdam talk that she describes in the Ned of the book.
June 28, 2024
I wasn’t sure, given the subject matter, whether I would be able to fully understand and appreciate the latest book from Shelterbox book club (recommended). However, I was immediately gripped by Nice's story, which is an excellent example of the power of storytelling. A story based on fact can really connect and raise awareness and invoke action and change. By sharing her testimony , Nice has raised awareness about FGM and associated health and education issues and inspired others to fight this cruel and dangerous practice . It is a classic story of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
The book is written in straightforward language told with passion, which should be accessible to a younger audience which will extend its reach. What a marvellous role model to other girls around the globe.
Her bravery and hard work has improved and will help improve the lives of thousands of lives of both men and women in Africa and around the world.
The book is written in straightforward language told with passion, which should be accessible to a younger audience which will extend its reach. What a marvellous role model to other girls around the globe.
Her bravery and hard work has improved and will help improve the lives of thousands of lives of both men and women in Africa and around the world.
April 7, 2024
This is truly an amazing book! Glad to be reading it for a book club and looking forward to some good discussions. The book is honest and inspiring. A person with determination, combined with some luck and help along the way, can accomplish anything she sets out to accomplish. I'll cheer for her along her path!
June 12, 2024
What an amazing story. Surprisingly easy to read despite the FGM topic. Her words place the reader directly in her Kenyan village, to experience life alongside her and her sister. Reminds me so much of Malala Yousafzai. Spreading the light of education 🕯️ for girls everywhere.
June 24, 2024
Moving and inspirational memoir about Nice Leng’ete’s fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) in her village. Growing up in the Massai tribe in Kenya, Leng’ete’s is expected to take “the cut” and fulfil certain social expectations as a woman.
I found Leng’ete’s account of a centuries old cultural tradition eye opening and educational. I also found her memoir empowering and informative (FGM) about a ritual that is common in Africa and other parts of the world. An amazing story of determination and defying all odds and the power of saying “NO!”
I found Leng’ete’s account of a centuries old cultural tradition eye opening and educational. I also found her memoir empowering and informative (FGM) about a ritual that is common in Africa and other parts of the world. An amazing story of determination and defying all odds and the power of saying “NO!”
June 26, 2024
An astonishing and humbling read (a ShelterBox choice), about how Nice Leng’ete has transformed the lives of many thousands of girls and women all over the world.
Born into the Maasai people of Kenya, the gradual dawning of the horrors of FGM leads Nice to run away. In doing so, she courageously opened up her own world through education and became a global human rights activist. It was a slow process, and there were setbacks, but working on the ground, within communities, she is changing not only traditions but also, laws.
She opened a refuge in 2021, and called it ‘A Nice Place’. Beautiful.
A personal and fulfilling triumph is saving her adored sister, Soila from an abusive husband.
Truth be told, she is still running ‘until all my dreams come true.’ When ‘every girl in the world can live her life to the fullest’.
Born into the Maasai people of Kenya, the gradual dawning of the horrors of FGM leads Nice to run away. In doing so, she courageously opened up her own world through education and became a global human rights activist. It was a slow process, and there were setbacks, but working on the ground, within communities, she is changing not only traditions but also, laws.
She opened a refuge in 2021, and called it ‘A Nice Place’. Beautiful.
A personal and fulfilling triumph is saving her adored sister, Soila from an abusive husband.
Truth be told, she is still running ‘until all my dreams come true.’ When ‘every girl in the world can live her life to the fullest’.
July 3, 2024
An interesting read about the author fleeing from FGM when she's just 8 years old and how she helped bring about change amongst her tribe.
It's simply written and engaging. I found learning about the Maasai culture more broadly especially interesting. There's lots to think about for us well meaning Westerners on how to really listen and improve rather than flying in trying to impose change.
For those understandably wary about reading a book about FGM, if you didn't want the detail there's one short chapter to skip. Overall Nice's story is positive and uplifting.
Read as part of ShelterBox book club.
It's simply written and engaging. I found learning about the Maasai culture more broadly especially interesting. There's lots to think about for us well meaning Westerners on how to really listen and improve rather than flying in trying to impose change.
For those understandably wary about reading a book about FGM, if you didn't want the detail there's one short chapter to skip. Overall Nice's story is positive and uplifting.
Read as part of ShelterBox book club.
March 16, 2024
“When I was born, people said I had smooth skin and bright eyes” 1st sentence
September 3, 2025
What a powerful story. Brought me to tears a few times. Nice’s bravery is amazing.
September 23, 2025
Inspiring look at one woman's desire to improve the lives of girls in her community and beyond.
October 31, 2025
A very engaging true story of a determined courageous young Kenyan woman who has worked tirelessly to end female circumcision. She explains many of the Masai cultural traditions and beliefs that influenced this practice and the general community. Well worth reading.
June 4, 2023
Daringly honest, this book tells a simple straightforward account of the authors life, hurdles, and power to continue on, fighting to make her own life and then the lives of those in her visage, country, and ultimately world more meaningful, full, and free.
June 1, 2024
This is June’s book for the Shelterbox Book Club as soon as I held this book I could feel the love and positivity from it. I’ve not been able to finish the last 2 books from the club so as soon as I got that fuzzy feeling I know I had to dive straight in.
Here we have Nice who is a powerful, courageous lady from Kenya whose family follows the traditions of being Maasai. We follow Nice’s story from being school age, to losing her to parents to the strong, powerful courageous woman she is today.
This book is about her journey to bring an end to FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and how she escaped from this herself.
It is a very moving and powerful read and I literally could not put it down!
Here we have Nice who is a powerful, courageous lady from Kenya whose family follows the traditions of being Maasai. We follow Nice’s story from being school age, to losing her to parents to the strong, powerful courageous woman she is today.
This book is about her journey to bring an end to FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and how she escaped from this herself.
It is a very moving and powerful read and I literally could not put it down!
June 24, 2024
Read as part of the Shelterbox Book Club:
Nice Leng'ete is such an inspiring woman. the fight for freedom from FGM is far from over but having people like Nice fighting for what's right is so wonderful.
in terms of the writing itself, it's not incredible but it does exactly what it needs to do to be clear and concise on such a serious topic, and it conveys Nice's emotions and experiences perfectly.
Nice Leng'ete is such an inspiring woman. the fight for freedom from FGM is far from over but having people like Nice fighting for what's right is so wonderful.
in terms of the writing itself, it's not incredible but it does exactly what it needs to do to be clear and concise on such a serious topic, and it conveys Nice's emotions and experiences perfectly.
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