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Traditional African understanding of Human sexuality

Answer Text:
TRADITIONAL AFRICAN UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN SEXUALITY.
Human sexuality is regarded as sacred and secret in many traditional African communities. The sacredness of sexuality is related to its power to transmit life. There is a great concern to the kind of
education provided to young people on sexual matters. It is a taboo to discuss sex matters freely. Sex education is however taught to the young people by their grandparents who are experienced, knowledgeable and have ample time. During initiation ceremonies rigorous sexual education is provided to young people. They are taught about sex,
its secrets and the mystery of manhood and womanhood. Here it emphasized that the main function of sexuality is procreation. Girls are expected to remain virgins until marriage. A girl who breaks her virginity before getting married stands the danger of being divorced on the wedding day or being married off as a second wife to an old man. Rape
offenders are severely punished. Boys and girls are not allowed to mix freely except under strict supervision. There is division of labour on the basis of sexuality. For example, women are not allowed to perform strenuous and risky activities such as wrestling, hunting, clearing thick bushes for cultivation or going to war.
Women perform domestic activities such as cooking, fetching firewood and water and taking care of families. In traditional African communities the distinctive aspects of men and women is appreciated and emphasized from birth and throughout life. For example:
-There is a difference in the way the birth of a boy and that of a girl is announced. How is this done in your community? The Gikuyu people for example, ululate four times to announce the birth of a girl and five times to announce that of a boy.
-As children, boys and girls are taught their roles by watching what their parents
are doing. Boys imitate their fathers while girls imitate their mothers. They also receive sex education from their grandparents as already discussed.
-At adolescence, girls team up with their mothers in carrying out household chores while boys join their fathers to herd animals and
in performing masculine duties.