It is the short book-analysis of a novel "UNASWERED CRIES" by Osman Conteh. It was prepared in 2014 (August) when I was in my first year Teaching Field at UMAWANJO BOYS' (Catholic Diocese of Njombe). Viewers are allowed to download and send me advice if they find some errors wherever in the analysis. Thank you! Best Regards! Mr. Syliacus Aganyila KAKIRA. The Author.

1. I once thought of what role I may have to the society yet my dreams
and thoughts told me to think of helping my fellows. Because we are
all under the same umbrella of God, that is why I decided to work at
anywhere in my country. I advice my young brothers and sisters not to
despise anything related to education. Education may take you to
anywhere in this world. Always do whatever you are supposed to do
at the highest level in the particular time because there is no reverse
of it.
Syliacus Aganyila Kakira was born in 1991 at his
home sub-village: Ruhanga; Kasheshe village, Nyaishozi-Karagwe
Kagera. He was educated at various schools such as Misha Nursery
school in 1999, Misha Primary school (2000-2006), Rugu Secondary
school (2007-2010) (All in Karagwe District), Tabora-Boys’ High
School (2011-2013), and Rwamkoma JKT (822KJ) (March-June 2013)
before joining to the University of Dar es Salaam in October 2013
where he is currently pursuing his First Degree (B.A.ED).
LITERATURE FOR SECONDARY
SCHOOLS
ORDINARY LEVEL
for
TANZANIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
(F0RMS 3 & 4)
BOOK ANALYSIS
UNANSWERED CRIES-Osman Conteh
By SYLIACUS AGANYILA KAKIRA.
An Analysis you must read
i

2. © Kakira, Syliacus Aganyila 2014.
First printed in August, 2014.
Reproducing this Booklet is allowed but not plagiarism. Maintain its
all details including the cover page. For any problem, consultation, or
advice as well as ideas, please do not hesitate to contact the writer
through the contact details given below and at the end.
CONTACTS;
Mobile: +255 789 132 189 &
+255 765 416 065.
E-mail: cygeka@gmail.com
DEDICATION
This booklet is dedicated to my beloved parents ‘the late my
father’ “ta’ta Mwl. Gervase Kiiza Kakira” and my mother
“ma’we Juliana M. Jeremiah”.
In whatever way and manner I try to thank them, I find it not
enough. But the little that I have is to say “may the almighty God
bless them and grant them with whatever is of greater value
here on earth and the coming world (the hell)”.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It is unfair and too infidelity if I fail to thank the important people who helped
me in accomplishing this work. A lot of thanks to Mr.Omega Geka, my
colleague English teacher in the department at UMAWANJO BOYS’
SECONDARY SCHOOL (Ludewa District). His advice, encouragement and
cooperation will always be remembered. I likewise take this opportunity to
thank my English class Form three at UMAWANJO BOYS’; their cooperation,
response and morale to study, inspired me a lot up to planning to write this
Booklet. I again give a lot of gratitudes to UMAWANJO STAFF whose role of
appreciating my works and personality kept me sleepless for achieving this
goal.
Title: UNASWERED CRIES
Author: Osman Conteh.
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Limited.
Setting: Sierra-Leone (2002).
SUMMARY BY CHAPTERS
This Novel contains only nine (09) chapters, and the following is the summary of
Chapter to Chapter.
CHAPTER 1.
It is in holiday and Olabisi is in village with her mother “Makalay”. Olabisi is washing
dirt dishes in a large, plastic bowl and she hears the sound of drums and singing
produces by the digba players whose role is to champion the Campaigns of Female
Circumcision in the village.
Olabisi being a small-girl living with her father Ade Jones in the city
“Freetown”, she is now in holiday with her mother and when she hears sounds from
outside, she wants to go to look the people doing so as well as taking photographs
made by them “digba players” passing beside her mother’s house. Since, she is not
circumcised, her mother wants her to be circumcised.
Olabisi goes out to look at digba players without her mother’s permission
whereas she takes a lot of photographs, she enjoys a lot and she says that her father is
going to like them. Makalay warns Olabisi to look at Bondo girls again until she gets
circumcised again, she warns her not to call them girls because they are already
circumcised.
During Makalay’s instructions to Olabisi so as to be circumcised and respect
bondo girls, Makalay punishes Olabisi by twisting her ear, hitting Olabisi’s face here
and there, etc emphasizing her to circumcise.
In this chapter, through Olabisi and Makalay’s conversation, the issue of
Olabisi’s boyfriend is exposed by Olabisi that she has Eddy “Edward Cole”, a thing
which gives more anger to Makalay to continue emphasizing her daughter to
circumcise. Makalay condemns and blames Olabisi that she has started sleeping with
boys because she is still Gborka (Uncircumcised girl).
CHAPTER 2.
It is the same day, later, Olabisi is returning home from the stream balancing a bucket
of water on her head, ahead of her there are two village girls “Salay & Rugiatu” who
seem walking in hurry without any difficulty in carrying buckets.
Rugiatu and Salay seem to be expert bucket-carriers as they leave the stream
within five minutes and they are in hurry while Olabisi is slow since she is not familiar
with village activities like carrying buckets on her head.
Olabisi just by joking, she calls them ‘Gborka’ so that they can stop and wait
for her, but just under the cluster of mango-trees they wait for her furiously to fight
against her. While Olabisi does not aim to insult them, but they take it serious. They
ii 1

3. try to beat her but she defeats them due to her fighting tactics she was taught by her
boyfriend ‘Eddy’. Vigorously Olabisi hits them and they seem to hate to be called
“gborka” because they are now women i.e. already circumcised. (pg.16-18). During
their fight, Olabisi rips off Salay’s lappa leaving Salay’s eyes wide open. Rugiatu
attacks Olabisi furiously after Rugiatu attacks Olabisi furiously then she scraps
Olabisi’s face. At this point, unplanningly Olabisi seats on Rugiatu’s chest and starts
ripping off Rugiatu’s lappa saying “Now, I am going to see what you have between
your legs” ‘that was circumcised!’. While Olabisi is looking at Rugiatu’s private parts,
immediately the shadow rushes at her and she feels something blunt and heavy
hitting her on her head strongly, she sees stars, plenty of them, before dark cloud
coming and blotting them out.
Later on the focus returns; Olabisi finds herself in her bed face to face with
her mother “Makalay”. M akalay furiously condemns and through words and hits to
Olabisi, she warns her daughter for doing it. Makalay increases emphasis for Olabisi to
be circumcised and she tells her that she once examined her daughter while she was
unconscious and she found her not virgin.
While in the room with her mother, just outside their house comes bondo
women to pressurize Makalay in order to bring Olabisi for being circumcised.
Meanwhile, when Makalay is talking with Bondo women led by Yah Posseh, Olabisi
parks her things in a back-pack and goes to the back door whereas before opening it;
then the front door opens behind her from Dauda ‘Makalay’s husband’ calling her to
stop.
Olabisi runs and she is followed chased by her mother and Dauda. Dauda is
very fast, he runs chasing Olabisi highly closing to capture her, Olabisi reaches her
bucket she left beside the footpath just under the cluster of mango-trees, she takes it
up in hurry without slowing down her motion, she flings it behind her in one smooth
move. The bucket falls to Dauda’s legs and crashes into them. Dauda falls “like a roll of
thunder” (pg.23), Olabisi disappears into the thick bush.
CHAPTER 3.
From the time Olabisi enters the thick bush, on the same day Olabisi is now in the
forest. She is wondering here and there on each sound she hears, be it echoes or
anything else thinking that all sounds might be either Dauda or her mother “Makalay”
looking for her. All her intention in the forest is to cross the forest so that she can
reach the next village before the night falls.
Being in the forest, Olabisi immediately sees the hut in front of her and at the
same time she is moving towards the fenced hut in front and she hears back following
up her with similar footsteps she is making, when Olabisi stops, the steps of creature
stop too but at last she comes to realize that there is no any creature chasing or
following her that is it is the echoes of her footsteps. Later on while Olabisi is standing
still, she hears real footsteps behind her. She hides herself behind a tree and she sees
two adult women and a girl.
Olabisi climbs the tree and just under the tree there is a footpath through
which those two women and a ten-year-old girl are passing toward the hut (in the
camp). She tries to run away and one woman trips her, a girl falls and she is caught
losing her chance of escaping. Suddenly in the camp, the “bondo women” start
pounding their drums and the whole camp breaking into a song. The a girl is put off
her clothes and she is circumcised by an elderly woman coming from the hut, holding
a sharp knife.
Olabisi in the tree screams , she wonders looking the way a girl is struggling
in hands of bondo women. Olabisi starts walking her way down the tree, tears flowing
on her cheeks. When she reaches the ground, the sound comes behind her “welcome
to the bondo camp, white woman”. Olabisi jumps out of her skin, Yah Posseh and her
two daughters emerge from among the trees and surround her.
CHAPTER 4.
In her sleep, Makalay dreams of being outside of her kitchen when Yah Posseh rushes
out behind a nearby bush and confronts her through cutting a Cock's head and making
it fall down and hence making Makalay feeling suffocating. But after her sleep, she
recognizes that it is not real, it is just a dream. She is afraid, she plans that she must
find Olabisi no matter the cost, so that she can be taken to the Sowey to be
circumcised.
Immediatelly, Dauda enters the room and he finds Makalay leaving, he asks
Makalay "where are you going" Makalay replies "To find Olabisi". "I must find her
before Yah Posseh comes here". (Pg.32). Dauda shows Makalay bruises on his hands
and knees on the incidence of being thrown a bucket at his legs. Makalay insists to go
to look for Olabisi, Dauda neglects, he says he will not find Olabisi for being
circumcised without her father's permission that there would be trouble. Makalay
hisses Dauda Coward. "Coward! Afraid of an ordinary Creole boy". Dauda thunders
"The Creoles are quick to hire lawyers; and I don't have money to fight lawyers".
(Pg.33).
Makalay storms out of the house to find Olabisi. She hears the door open,
Dauda's angry voice hiting the sky rolling behind Makalay "Just keep walking. Walk
straight home to your parents and never come back". Makalay says she must find
Olabisi. In the forest, Makalay sees a dark shape, she calls "Olabisi, is that you? come
out right now!" (Pg.33). But the dark shape is not Olabisi it is the hunter "Pa Amadu"
who replies "You fool woman, I could have shot you." Pa Amadu rising behind a clump
of grass and walking towards Makalay. While Pa Amadu is ripping a rifle in his right
hand, Pa Amadu says "School teacher, what are you doing in this part of the woods?
You frightened away my animal". (Pg.34). Makalay replies to be looking for her
daughter and she asks Pa Amadu about if he has seen Olabisi. Pa Amadu replies that
he hunts wild animals not human beings. Makalay requests Pa Amadu to find Olabisi
so that if he sees her he has to bring her to Makalay, and he will offered a goat of his
own choice.
CHAPTER 5.
It is the continuation of the 3'rd chapter, Yah Posseh is speaking to Olabisi "I said
welcome to the bondo camp" (Pg.33). Olabisi looking at Rugiatu with her two
daughters "Rugiatu & Salay". Yah Posseh slaughters the Cock while drum-beats are
heard all over the camp, Olabisi is full of fear but she says she will not be circumcised.
Olabisi turns away as if she has changed her mind, then she twists back and
hit the short girl "Salay" with a tight fist. As Salay folds in pain, Olabisi grabs her by the
upper arm and runs her head into the nearest tree. Salay collapses. When Rugiatu
attacks like a mad dog. Olabisi finds no time for waiting, she goes down on one knee,
just as Eddy had taught her, she collects Rugiatu on her shoulders and flings her with
all her might. She lands her on her side. Olabisi turns to Yah Posseh telling her "Your
turn". (Pg.36). Then the Sowey falls backwards in a faint. Olabisi runs away down the
2 3

4. path and leaves the drums unbated leaving Rugiatu & Salay laying in pains twisting on
the ground like salted Earthworms. Olabisi believes she has defeated three witches in
an unfamiliar forest. "Daddy will not believe this! Even Oyah will not believe this."
(Pg.37).
Olabisi while running down the slope, the night has now fallen and the moon
is shinning, she reaches at the river, she thinks the river perhaps is shallow, without
taking off her shoes, she tests the depth of the river with her right food. It does not
swallow her leg. She starts crossing the river and a few yards away, something
splashes into the river “the crocodile, Olabisi quickly explodes out of the river, and she
finds a path she has used on her way down and runs blindly among the trees until she
collides with Pa Amadu, the hunter. (It will be revealed later in the other chapters,
that Olabisi gave Pa Amadu the certain amount of money larger than the one goat he
would get from Makalay, that’s why Pa Amadu left her go).
CHAPTER 6.
It is in Ade Jone’s room in Freetown, Ade Jones and his girlfriend “Oyah” are in
conversation in a conflict they are conflicting each other and Oyah threatens to leave,
Ade tells her that he loves her, he tells her to believe his words that he will be married
to her. “Don’t touch me!” “I’m not touching you. See my hands are in my lap.
Satsified?.... “I don’t care’, ‘Don’t talk like that, Oyah. You care. So do I. Believe me, I
would marry you today if only I had a regular job. I need to be in a position to support
my family”. (Pg.41).
Oyah blames Ade on his behavior of chasing after girls. Ade rejects of not
currently being in love with Yamide. Oyah asks Ade on what relationship is existing
between them. She asks Ade if she is a close friend to Ade or not because the Creoles
like ‘Ade’ like to describe such a relationship in such a way; they then quarrel a little,
Ade promises to marry Oyah in December. Oyah forgives Ade that she is not leaving.
Suddenly, the sound of running feet is heard, Olabisi enters, she throws
herself to Oyah, she hugs her crying and clinging as if she would never let go. (Pg.43).
Olabisi starts to narrate a story as it has occurred and she declares not to go back to
the village again. While she is narrating the story to her father, Oyah tells her to take a
bath first then the narration will carry on later.
Oyah takes Olabisi to the bathroom, she helps her during bathing: scrubing
her back. Meanwhile there is a sound heard knocking at the front door; Makalay
enters demanding for Olabisi to be taken for circumcision, there is a fight between
Makalay and Ade. This is after Makalay has tricked Ade that Olabisi is not his daughter
instead she belongs to the late Abdulraman. (Pg.48). This makes Ade grip Makalay’s
throat until she confesses to be telling lies but she regrets not to go home without her
daughter “Olabisi”.
Ade tells Makalay that he will take the matter to the court that Makalay must
be stopped from ever trying to circumcise Olabisi. Makalay retorts too that Ade would
talk with her through her Lawyer. Then Makalay leaves.
CHAPTER 7.
It is moving on the following day “friday”, the first day for Olabisi’s first day’s
appearance in the court. Olabisi is full of thoughts asking herself several questions.
What if Makalay wins?, on what if she fails to answer questions which will be asked by
the lawyer?.... Olabisi lacks even the appetite for eating. Ade Jones instructs and
encourages her to eat since if she does not eat, her stomach would worry her for food
in court. Ade asks Olabisi to see if she still remembers what Oyah have instructed her
on how to intervene in the court especially when she is asked questions. Olabisi prays
“Dear God, I will start going to church this Sunday. Just make Mama loose case”.
(Pg.53).
Near the court, all over the streets of Freetown, there are groups of
hundreds to thousands Bondo women marching singing songs of protest. In their front
holding up placards and banners high above their heads and the front banner have
these words splashed on it “FEMALE CIRCUMCISION! A MOTHER’S DECISION!”.
Makalay is among the crowd, politicians pretend to be deaf and dumb.
After two hours, Olabisi makes her first appearance in the court. In the court,
the Judge is Judge “Lansana Kanu”, two lawyers Oyah and Salaam Sesay for Ade Jones
and Makalay respectively. The case goes on and a lot of issues related to female
circumcision are exposed. Olabisi rejects in the court on undergoing FGM. When
Salaam Sesay, the lawyer of Makalay is questioning Olabisi, Olabisi confuses herself on
whether she is virgin or not and she is not off-course. Salaam asks Olabisi if she knows
Edward Cole “Eddy”, Olabisi hesitates, she confuses and she breaks into saying the
truth to have had sex more than once with Eddy. (Pg.58). Salaam asks Olabisi if she
knows the importance of circumcision , he asks her if she exactly knows that “Female
Circumcision” would reduce her sexual appetite and make her a clear girl?; then
Olabisi remembers the words she was told by Oyah then she replies by a question
“Does cutting off a person’s tongue reduce his appetite for food or his enjoyment of it?
(Pg.59).
It comes the time for Ade’s questioning, Ade is questioned by lawyers. Ade
refuses in the court to allow Olabisi get circumcised, because it is for the sake of
superstitution or tradition. After Ade is already questioned, he comes down from the
witness box his eyes meet with Olabisi’s: shame, regret, and guilt collide with each
other inside Olabisi. Olabisi feels worse as her father has been disgraced in public
because of her. Olabisi says “Dear God, I have changed my mind. I will throw myself in
front of fast truck” (Pg.63).
The case is postponed up to 10:00 next monay morning. And in the two
streets in front of the court house “Siaka Stevens and Lamina Sankoh” streets are
teemed with bondo women singing songs of protest accompanied by the loud drum
beats, Ade and Olabisi pass at the back door of the court. Olabisi sees Eddy coming
towards her; Eddy apologises for what has happened in the court. Olabisi spits his
face; she chases Eddy away from her. Makalay’s lawyer intervenes rushing from the
court, by saying “You can charge her with assault, ‘Eddy’ ”. So, there is a conflict
between Eddy and Olabisi. “If you ever come near me again, I’ll show you the other
side of me: Bisi, I love you’. Me too. I love me: Eddy becomes desperate. “You don’t
know what you are going to miss, Bisi”. “You mean sexually transmitted diseases and
unwanted pregnancies?”. Eddy remains mouth open, Olabisi tells him to close his
mouth before he swallows a fly, and she then runs off.
CHAPTER 8.
From the court, Olabisi and her father at home, Olabisi apologizes for the hundredth
times to her father for being forgiven on what has been hapenning. Olabisi blames
herself, but her father tells her that if one could blame, the one to be blamed is he
himself not Olabisi; but he insists Olabisi that he loves her and he hates what she did.
He further insists "Do as I say" but "learn from watching me". (Pg.66). Ade asks Olabisi
4 5

5. if she agrees to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of his marriage to Oyah, Olabisi
appreciates and agrees.
Then Oyah enters, she insists that Olabisi should see a gynaecologist (A
doctor who treats women) to examine her to see if Olabisi is pregnant or HIV positive.
Olabisi is asked on Whether she is pregnant or not, she rejects to be pregnant.
The monday reaches, it is in the court again, here Dr.Asiatu Koroma, the
gynaecologist is brought in the court as Olabisi's another witness. Dr.Koroma
confidently describes the process of circumcising a girl despite Bondo women's
interventions "There is a sensitive part in the sexual organs of a woman called the
clitoris. Many bondo women believe that this part of a woman is filthy, ugly, and
makes a woman immoral." "Here in Sierra Leone, it is amputated, cut oomff
completely. In other parts of Africa, after cutting it off, the lips of the vagina are
scraped with either a blade or knife and then sewn together. A small opening is left for
urinating". (Pg.68-69).
Dr.Koroma goes on insisting that the instruments such as knives, scissors,
razor blades as well as pieces of glasses are used while not boiled so no sterilization
which is made. They are dangerous that they may lead to HIV transmission and other
diseases. She adds, the process is traditionally believed to be based on super-natural
powers.
After Dr.Koroma is questionned by Oyah, Salaam Sesay Makalay's lawyer
interviews/questions her on if she was individually circumcised, Dr.Koroma agrees
and that she was not infected with any disease, but she exposes the issue of her
daughter "Umu" to be infected with HIV-AIDs when she was circumcised at the age of
eight (six years ago) (Pg.72). Salaam Sesay freezes after hearing this.
CHAPTER 9.
The case proceeds in the court, Salaam Sesay calls a half dozen witnesses and all of
them speak supporting Female Circumcision; then he calls Yah Posseh, the Digba
Sowey to stand. Loud applause comes out from women spectator, Judge Lansana Kanu
hits the gavel several times and he threatens them on if they repeat they will be taken
out of the court.
Yah posseh is questioned by Sesay, she tells to use "Temne" her mother
tongue, Makalay wants to be her interprete, she is neglected; a woman from woman
spectators is chosen to be Yah Posseh's interpreter.
Yah Posseh says she is a Digba Sowey, the head of Female circumcisers
(Pg.74), she narrates that Female Circumcision was done from very long time ago. "My
mother told me that her grand-mother told her that her great-grandmother told her
that she had inherited the knives, skills and powers of a sowey from her great-great-
grandmother who had told my grandmother's great-grandmother that." She adds,
"The bondo tradition is as old as Africa. It is Mama Africa". (Pg.74).
Yah Posseh talks of the advantages of circumcising a girl such as staying
married committed to the same man for a long time, becoming loyal to their husbands
and preparing a girl to care her future children, to manage a household, to prepare
tasty meats, in short, girls in bindo rituals, are helped to distinguish between mature
and immature views of marriage and to see the folly of marrying just for sex.
Likewise, Oyah interviews Yah Posseh; In most of questions, Yah Posseh fails
to answer appropriately. Oyah asks if circumcising a seven-or eight-year-old girl may
help her to learn how to manage a family successfully?, Yah Posseh replies as it is the
tradition and it benefits family life. After Yah Posseh has seemed not to be responding
to Oyah's questions appropriately, Olabisi smiles and says "This old lady is like
Grandma. She knows how not to answer questions". (Pg.79).
Finally, the star witness "Makalay" to Salaam Sesay is called, she is well
dressed, Olabisi admires to be wearing like that; Makalay repeats some advantages of
female circumcision as Yah Posseh's and when she is asked if Mr.Ade Jones is better
qualified to decide whether the child should be circumcised; Makalay answers "Can a
chameleon decide on a colour?" she adds; "Ade is unfit to decide on the matter."
Oyah's turn to ask Makalay reaches; she is wondered to see a college-
educated woman "Makalay" supporting deffending cruelty to a child for the sake of a
tradition based on medical ignorance and superstitution; Makalay refuses to be either
ignorant or superstitutious but rather she wants to help her daughter regain her self-
control.
Makalay is challenged on why she fell in love with Ade Jones while she was
in school yet she was already circumcised at the age of sixteen and she is challenged
on what about Dauda Kamara? Makalay refuses to describe the operation due to
traditions. Oyah makes her closing remarks to the judge.
Precisely,
Oyah has been speaking for Ade Jones and Olabisi whereas Salaam Sesay has bee
speaking for Makalay.
Now it reaches the point for Judge Lansana Kanu. Olabisi is expecting to win but she is
in dilemma whether she is going to win or not.
At the end, after the judge has listenned to both sides, he says "I can see that
there is an obvious need for dialogue between both groups for a better understanding
of each other's position". (Pg.36). The judge sees there is no need for continuous
upholding of old traditions and stigmatization of uncircumcised girls. He says "I am
satsified that the child Olabisi Jones, and her father, Mr.Ade jones, have informed
themselves sufficiently about the practice of Female Genital Mutilation. I am satsified
that they know the reason or reasons for the practice of Female Genital Multilation are
medically without basis." "In view of the risks involved, Mrs.Makalay Kamara, the
mother of the child might well have renounced forcing the child to undergo this
operation. She should have respected the wishes of the child, and those of the father.
Consequently, the court hereby orders that the child, Olabisi Jones, shall not be forced
against her will or the will of her father to undergo female genital mutilation". (Pg.86).
The side of Olabisi, Ade Jones, and their lawyer "Oyah" wins thus happiness
is to them and their counterpart of Makalay, lawyer Salaam Sesay, Yah Posseh, and
Bondo women freeze.
Three months later; there is a marriage between Ade and Oyah whereby
Olabisi is made a Bridesmaid full of joy wearing like her mother previously. Olabisi
smiles during the ceremony so that she can appear good and as a star in the Video to
be broadcasted in National TV. At last Olabisi says "I am clean! And alive".
6 7

6. FORM
•Meaning and relationship between the title and content:- UNANSWERED CRIES: -
The title can be taken to mean refusing to grant or accept some one's request/wish for
something or refusing to cooperate with someone in accomplishing something. The
book is mainly about female genital mutilation (FGM) and its supposed benefits. A
mother’s desire and wish to have her daughter circumcised are frustrated, refused
denied and even mocked. According to Makalay and indeed the entire village women
led by the Bondo secret society under their leader “Yah Posseh”, it is only through
circumcision that a girl would be able to prepare adequately for parenthood, be
submissive, faithful and loyal to her husband and possess self-control without which
she would be despised, mocked and even be rejected for marriage! She therefore
takes it upon herself to get her daughter circumcised but all her efforts are frustrated,
blocked and not reciprocated as follows:- Her daughter Olabisi flatly refuses to
cooperate with her on the matter of circumcision and runs away from her home back
to the city. This is her first hurdle which she fails to overcome. This is first the setback
she meets. Also the hunter (Pa Amadu) whom she contracted to help get her daughter
back collides with her (Olabisi) and helps her escape back to the city. It is like
everyone and everything is conspiring against her. Here we see how her efforts to get
her daughter back continue to hit one dead wall after another. Her ex-lover (Ade Jones)
flatly refuses to cooperate with her in her quest to have Olabisi circumcised. Her
threats & theatrics don’t move him an inch. He even threatens to kill her if she doesn’t
vacate his premises. So here again we see Makalaay’s desire to have Olabisi
circumcised blocked by her father hence unanswered cries. Yah Posseh and other
members of the Bondo Secret Society’s efforts to have Olabisi circumcised all hit a
dead end; she escapes from their captivity by fighting her way out this fight becomes
the proverbial last straw that broke the Carmel’s back, It gets personal from then
onwards since they are on a mission to teach her a lesson for clearly showing
contempt and disregard for their customs and beating Yah Posseh’s daughters.
Lastly, Makalaay’s last hope, the Court of justice, rules against her! This surely
strikes a hammer blow on her and leaves her with a lot of pent up anger, bitterness
and a feeling of betrayal from her only daughter. It is like the gods have ganged up
against her to punish her for an unknown crime. In the end, we realize that all
Makalay’s efforts to circumcise Olabisi have not succeeded. Her intentions, wishes,
and cries have all been frustrated and eventually denied hence UNANSWERED CRIES.
Likewise, other unanswered cries are upon the igorant society whereby girls
have been being forced to be circumcised, getting a lot of pains during the process,
others dying, etc, and this also signifies unanswered cries they have been making
believing that they are doing sounding things. Hence at the end, all society's practices
are seen highly based on traditions and greatly superstitutious!. Unanswered cries
too!.
CHARACTERS
•Makalay
•Olabisi
•Ade Jones
•Dauda
•Oyah
•Yah Posseh
•Rugiatu & Salay
•Edward Cole "Eddy".
•Salaam Sesay
•Judge Lansana Kanu
•Dr.Asiatu Koroma
•Umu
•Yamide
•Bondo women/Bondo secrety society
•Digba players
CHARACTERIZATION
MAKALAY
* Unrefined and vulgar- she uses lots of abusive and foul language against Ade and Bisi;
for instance she calls Ade a skirt chaser, useless man and a hopeless father.
- She also calls Bisi (Olabisi) a stupid girl and Gborka which is a derogatory term for
uncircumcised girl; (‘’you did worse than that you stupid girl, you stripped two bondo
girls naked and looked at their private parts. You! A Gborka!’’) Pg.19.
* She is quite temperamental (Hot tempered) – this is exhibited by the way she easily
gets angry at the slightest provocation for instance she slaps Bisi for being too
inquisitive and she’s also angry at Bisi for dancing (Makalay’s slap hit Olabisi on the
face like a small bomb, toppling her off the stool), she also twists Bisi’s ears
pg11(‘’Makalay grabbed Olabisi’s left ear and twisted it hard like a driver twisting the
ignition key of a stubborn car’’) Pg.14.
*Upholder and custodian of African culture- she implores Bisi to be circumcised and
also advocates for her to learn her native tongue. We see her telling Bisi ‘’one day you
will come and stay with me permanently and learn your native tongue’’ she further goes
on to claim that the only way people will ever respect and stop calling her (Bisi)
Gborka is if she gets circumcised.
* Strict disciplinarian – warns Bisi of dire consequences if she ever disobeys her. Her
punishment would be beating her until her skin peels. Pg11
* Superstitious – she believes in the power of spirits. She trusts the spirits would make
her childbirth difficult if she doesn’t obey them, that’s why on page 22 it is shown that
she meekly submit herself to the fate of the spirits by saying ‘’whatever the spirits say I
will do’’ and ‘’don’t say that. Please! I’m pregnant.’’ Pg 22.
* Desperate- she is so desperate to get her daughter circumcised (all in the name of
obeying the fictitious spirits) that she is ready to move heaven and earth just to
ensure her beloved daughter is circumcised. Some of her desperate acts include;
bribing Pa Amadu the hunter with a goat of his choice from her husbands herd if he
brings Bisi back to her, leaving home late at night to look for Bisi despite the risks and
threats from her husband Dauda, seeking the arbitration of the court of law to compel
Ade Jones to allow Bisi be circumcised.
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7. *Hypocrite – while she’s a staunch advocate for female circumcision which in her own
opinion she believes would make Olabisi abstain from sex till marriage, her own FGM
couldn’t make her abstain as she conceived Bisi at the tender age of 16 yrs. and out of
wedlock. Pg 83.
*Conservative – is someone who’s resistant to change i.e. a conservative person
doesn’t welcome or embrace change; they like to maintain the status quo. Makalay
shows this by her insistence on Bisi’s circumcision.
* A hypocrite- is a person who professes beliefs and opinions he or she doesn’t hold in
order to conceal his/her real intentions. while she claims FGM would make a girl
abstain from sex till marriage and be faithful in marriage, on digging deeper we realize
she was circumcised at the tender age of ten, started having sex at the age of fourteen
and became pregnant with Bisi at sixteen so it is revealed that Makalay is personally
not helped by Circumcision.
*She is a school teacher despite being much connected with outdated traditions.
OLABISI
* Inquisitive -she asks far too many questions, this actually lands her in trouble when
she jokingly asks Rugiatu and Salay whether they are Gborka (a disparaging term for
an uncircumcised girl)
* Streetwise (street-smart) – is defined as being able to deal with dangerous or
difficult situations that you often find in urban settings. No one epitomizes this more
than Bisi as shown below:-
First the way she flings the bucket behind her towards Dauda who falls on his face like
a log of wood and hence stopped chasing her. Also the way she fights off attacks from
Rugiatu, Salay and Yah Posseh hence avoiding grievous and actual bodily harm and
forced FGM. Lastly the way she maneuveres her way out of dangerous situations in
Freetown whenever students go on rampage.
* Religious- she repeatedly calls upon God for help whenever she is faced with difficult
circumstances. For instance when she finds herself in the unfamiliar and unfriendly
territory around Bondo women’s circumcision camp with Yah Posseh and her girls
closing in on her, she says ‘’what am I to do? God if you are there help me’’
*Brave- Olabisi is a daring girl in many ways. By standing up to her mother and saying
no to circumcision, she showes great courage and fearlessness and also by
maneuvering herself out of danger after danger the way she does when escaping from
the village back to the city, she shows great courage and heroism.
* Agent of change – in the world of many sierra Leonean women, circumcision is
sacrosanct, a rite of passage that every girl worth her salt must undergo. It is
(apparently) the only way:-
To make them faithful and committed in their marriages, To get them ready for
parenthood To impart subtle cooking skills, to make them love and respect their
husbands, when Bisi chooses to go against this common grain by refusing to be
circumcised, she becomes an instant celebrity of sorts, a pioneer champion of girls’
rights. By saying no to the barbaric and backward practice she becomes an agent of
change, above all she is sending a message that one doesn’t have to be circumcised to
learn how to cook delicious meals or even respect their husbands.
* Remorseful and apologetic – on pg. 65 it is seen how she unreservedly apologises for
the umpteenth time to her father after their secret love affair with Eddy is
dramatically exposed to all and sundry in the court.
YAH POSSEH
* She’s the Digba Sowey i.e. the chief circumciser; this gives her a position of
leadership and reverence amongst the village women.
* she is a staunch custodian and champion of African traditions and practices, this is
seen through her role and social rank in the society, she undertakes this responsibility
with great zeal and pride.
* Superstituous/Traditionalist.
OYAH
*Forgiving - despite Ade Jones’ long list of transgressions which include unfulfilled
promises about marriage, eloping with other women such as Yamide, she still finds it
in her heart to forgive him like a mother forgiving a spoilt child.( Pg. 43).
* Supportive – she supports her husband-to-be when he has a brief altercation with
Makalay over Bisi’s circumcision. She categorically states that ‘’if I’m going to be your
wife, I must stand by you’’ (pg. 47).
* Responsible – she exhibits qualities of a responsible parent by giving Olabisi
motherly advice to stay away from boys until she gets married. She also helps clean
Olabisi like a loving mother would do to her own daughter, as Olabisi is soon to be
Surrogate mother; she thrives in this role which only serves to forge a strong bond of
friendship between the two. (Pg.45).
* Liberal – she is an open minded person, someone who changes with the changing
times. Despite being circumcised herself, she’s against this barbaric tradition.
* Educated – she’s a lawyer by profession, this shows how educated she is. Her
character is used to represent all the African educated womenfolk who partipate in
burrying the negative cultural practices.
ADE JONES
* Promiscuous/womanizer – Makalay refers to him as a ‘skirt chaser’, Oyah also says
something to that effect i.e. ‘’I’ve been doing that for the past three years while you
chase after girls’’. All these points to one thing, Ade is indeed a womanizer. Pg. 41
* Funny and witty – He tells Oyah some cock and bull story about being attacked by
several friends (mosquitoes) they hosted the previous night. This joke shows how
funny, inventive and humorous Ade is. Pg.40
* Anti-FGM – his stance on FGM puts him on a head on collision course with Makalay
who is hell-bent on ensuring Bisi is circumcised, this position puts him in the same
bracket as other alienated Africans. He firmly supports his daughter who refuses to be
circumcised. This can be deduced from these comments ‘’No Bondo woman is going to
circumcise my daughter for the sake of superstitution or tradition’’ (Pg. 62).
* Irresponsible – he has not been a good father or role model to his daughter, his
hands-off approach has given Bisi immense freedom which she inevitably misuses. We
see Bisi having a love affair with Eddy right under his nose without as much as getting
a whiff of this. If he was responsible, maybe he would have detected this early on and
averted the enormous embarrassment they suffer at the hands of Makalay’s lawyer
"Salam Sasay". (Pg.66).
* Temperamental – he easily gets angry, he threatens Makalay that he would kill her if
she does not vacate his premises.
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8. EDWARD COLE (EDDY)
* He is Olabisi’s boyfriend.
* He is the traitor, he betrays Olabisi by revealing their secret escapades to lawyer
Salam Sasay who promptly uses that information to embarrass her in the court.
DAUDA
* He is Makalay's husband.
* Traditionalist.
* He surrenders to continue searching for Olabisi since it is against Olabisi's father's
will.
PA AMADU
* The hunter.
* Corrupt and Not trustful. He is corrupted by Olabisi. He receives money from her for
not taking her to Makalay. He hence shows her a way to town "Freetown".
YAMIDE
* She is Ade's concubine.
DR.ASIATU KOROMA
* Educated. As she is a doctor (a gynaecologist).
* Despite being circumcised in her childhood, she is determined, she is against old
traditions of circumcising girls.
* She is Umu's mother much hating FGM as it caused her daughter's infection (of HIV).
SALAAM SESAY
* He is Makalay's lawyer.
* He supports traditions "Female Genital Mutilation".
BONDO WOMEN
* They are staunch custodians and strong defenders of African traditional practices;
this is shown by the way they came out in large numbers during the court proceedings
to show solidarity with Makalaay and Yah Powseh.
LANGUAGE IN THE BOOK
The author "Osman Conteh" has employed a straight forward language with a lot of
similes accompanied by a lot of laughters to keep the reader awake!.
Figures of speech
There is the use of figurative language in the book. And the following are some figures
of speech that the writer has used;
i.Archaism/Barbarism
This is the figure of speech whereby the writer uses foreign words or words of
another language different from the specific language being used in a work of art. For
instance, the novelist has used words such as "Gborka" meaning "Uncircumcised girl",
as well as the word "Bondo" to stand for "Circumcised".
ii.Similes
A simile is a figure of speech whereby two different things are compared using
conjuctions such as ……like……, ……as……as……, etc. The writer has used a lot of similes
and few examples are proved through the following sentences:
•"Dauda fell like a roll of thunder" (Pg.23).
•"The bondo tradition is as old as Africa" (Pg.74).
iii.Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech whereas two unrelated things are compared without
using conjuctions. Sometimes defined as the figure of speech whereby one thing is
called the name of the other. An example is here below;
•"The bondo tradition is as old as Africa. It is Mama Africa." (Pg.74).
Sayings
The novelist has lowly used sayings, an example is found in chapter 8, the saying from
Ade Jones instructing his daughter "Olabisi" on her manners.
"Do as I say but learn from watching me!" (Pg.66).
Symbolism & Style of the author
Symbolism is the use of an object, animal, idea, thought, feeling, etc. to represent
another thing or to stand for a certain message or idea And a style is the uniqueness
that the writer has to present his/her work to the intended audience. For instance,
Interestingly, The writer has used various images/pictures before the beginning of
each chapter to stand for the general message contained in the particular chapter(s).
And this has been more influential and unique to this writer "Osman Conteh" a thing
which has made his work "Unanswered Cries" more attractive and to most of the
readers.
For example, at the beginning of chapter one, there is an image of a camera holded in
two hands, this has been used to stand for Olabisi's camera which she was given by
her father in the city before going to the village (for holiday). And this camera carries
the general content of the chapter and its effects in the chapter. He has continuously
used other images such as three buckets one lying down, a forest, a cock, etc
introducing various chapters to make a reader bear certain idea before reading
specific chapter(s), and this indeed, has simplified the work to be well capturing and
attractive.
CONTENT
THEMATIC ANALYSIS
1) FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.
Female genital Mutilation (FGM) is the removal of a woman’s genitals usually the
sensitive part known as clitoris, this is done to inhibit sexual desires. It is performed
as a rite of passage to mark a female’s progression from childhood (a girl) to
adulthood. Upon initiation the now ‘woman’ female earns respect from her peers and
the society in general. She’s then considered ripe for marriage and parenthood among
other things. The book revolves around a mothers desire to get her daughter
circumcised, An age of old institution (Bondo Secret Society) is seen established just
to perpetrate this practice. Yah Posseh sits pretty on top as the high priestess (chief
circumciser) a job she performs with great zeal and determination. It is further shown
that other characters such as Makalay, Yah Posseh, Oyah, Rugiatu and Salay who have
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9. all faced the knife sometimes in the past. Membership of the Bondo secret society is an
exclusive affair only achievable through circumcision. The group of six young naked
girls in the Bondo Secret Society’s dance procession are all being led away to be
circumcised. The shrieks and cries of the girls in the Bondo camp confirm they are
being circumcised. This practice is prevalent in Africa, in Tanzania it has been widely
practiced in some parts of Northern Tanzania such as Mara, Kilimanjaro, Arusha,
Manyara, etc.
2) POSITION OF WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY
The position of women in the society is the roles they play and their social standing in
the society. Each society has its own distinctive roles by its women, for instance in
some African societies the role of a woman is firmly fixed as the subordinate of a man,
child bearer and home maker. They are expected to play such roles with due diligence
and minimum fuss. In this book the author portrays They are portrayed as the
custodians and upholders of traditions and morals. Yah Posseh and Makalay fight
tooth and nail to ensure Olabisi is circumcised (though they fail). This shows they
want to ensure the continuation of old cultural practices. Women are also shown to be
strict disciplinarians who believe in the old adage ‘’spare the rod and spoil the child".
No one epitomizes this more than Makalay who twists Olabisi’s ears like a driver
turning the ignition key on a stubborn car; she also threatens to beat her until her skin
peels if she ever disobeys her again. All these are done to instill a sense of discipline
and responsibility on Olabisi. Indeed, women have been portrayed as Coward (To
Makalay, when she is afraid of Yah Posseh's threats on if she fails to bring Olabisi for
circumcision). Likewise, they are seen as superstitutious for instance, Yah Posseh,
Makalay, and other lots of Bondo women. Olabisi is portrayed as Courageous
representing women of her type who are open to express themselves going against
unfair practices upon them.
3) CONFLICTS
Are misunderstandings, disagreements, or fights between parts, groups, people, etc.
Every society has its own fair share of conflicts, this book has no exception, we see the
following conflicts;- Olabisi vs. her mother - this conflict is caused by Olabisi’s refusal
to honour her mother’s wish of getting her circumcised. Olabisi vs. Rugiatu & Salay -
this is caused by Bisi’s innocent mention of the taboo word ‘Gborka” in reference to
the two girls. Olabisi vs. Yah Posseh – Yah Posseh tries to kidnap and circumcise her
by force when she looses her way in the forest and find herself in the middle of
Bondo’s circumcision camp. This leads to a physical altercation in which Olabisi
triumphers, thanks to her street-smart skills. Ade vs. Makalay – caused by the two
former lovers’ conflicting opinions on whether Bisi should be circumcised or not.
While Ade has stamped his foot down and said no to FGM, Makalay is of a conflicting
opinion. Oyah vs. Ade – Oyah feels Ade’s love for her is not sincere, she believes Ade is
afraid to commit; on the other hand Ade is dragging his feet and wants to live one day
at a time and see where the relationship goes. Oyah wants immediate commitment
(marriage). Also the small matter of other women in the picture notably Yamide
further causes friction between the two lovebirds. Dauda vs. Makalay - caused by the
latter’s desperation to get Bisi back home. He threatens her with divorce if she doesn’t
stop. All his threats fall into deaf ears though as Makalaay goes out all the same. The
legal battle between the two lawyer’s Oyah and Salam Sasay is another great cause of
conflict in the book as they find themselves in opposing corners each trying to sway
the judge. And in general the conflict between Modern society (Educated) Vs
Traditionalists on female circumcision. The existence of educated society is revealed
through Olabisi, Oyah, Ade Jones, Dr. Asiatu Koroma as well as Judge "Lansana Kanu".
Whereas the traditional society is evidenced through Makalay, Yah Posseh, Rugiatu &
Salay, Salaam Sesay, Bondo women, etc.
4)DILEMMA
This is the situation in which an individual finds himself to make a difficult choice.
Olabisi is in difficult situations such that she does not exactly know what will happen
on if Makalay wins the case. She is indeed uncertain on if she fails to appropriately
answer questions which would be asked by the lawyer (Chapter 7, Pgs 52-53).
5) SUPERSTITUTION
Is defined as the belief or faith in magic or supernatural powers that cannot be
explained by logic. This theme manifests itself through Makalay who’s terrified of the
spirits; she believes the spirits would make her experience difficult childbirth if she
doesn’t obey them by offering her daughter for circumcision. Yah Posseh also believes
in the spirits and apparently acts as their messenger, for instance she tells Bisi ‘’the
spirits wants you circumcised’’ pg 35.
Also the hunter Pa Amadu wears an amulet on his left arm designed to make him
invincible to wild animals. Amulet is a piece of cloth worn around the neck or arm
believed to offer protection.
6) IGNORANCE
The writer has shown how the society is still ignorant. Since, the majority have been
portrayed supporting the outdated beliefs, traditions and taboos. It is seen that, bondo
women led by Yah Posseh as well as other people for instance Makalay's lawyer
"Salaam Sesay", are still upholding the medicineless beliefs believing that they are
helpful. Girls have been undergoing circumcision knowing that it helps to reduce
sexual appetite yet Makalay has been shown that despite circumcision, she conceived
at the age of sixteen. Therefore, the society has been practicing what is not well
understood about its reality.
7) IRRESPONSIBILITY
When one fails to act in discretion or accountably, he/she is said to be irresponsible.
Ade Jones is a father to a teenage girl, now that comes with a lot of responsibilities. As
a father he’s supposed to be a role model to his daughter, model her to be a
responsible and personable girl and counsel her whenever necessary. However He
fails miserably on that front because he employs a laisser-faire approach instead of a
hands-on methodology in exercising his parental duties. This gives Bisi a lot of
freedom which she inevitably misuses. If he would be a responsible parent maybe he
would have salvaged the whole situation from the onset hence avoiding the
embarrassing debacle in the courtroom.
8) PROTEST
To protest is to show opposition as the need of change, dislike, or disapproval over
something. This is portrayed through Bondo women’s marching and singing songs of
protest on the streets of Freetown in a show of solidarity with Makalay. Olabisi
protests against her mother’s desire to circumcise her. Dauda bitterly opposes
Makalay over her going out at night to look for the run-away Bisi. He even threatens to
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10. divorce her. Oya is also not impressed by Ade’s promiscuous ways not least the way
he shies away from marriage.
9) PROMISCUITY
This is having sexual relationship with many partners i.e. sleeping around. Ade is a
known skirt chaser. He has several partners such as Yamide, Oyah, and Makalay.
Olabisi is also promiscuous as claimed by her mother on pg 32. ‘’Olabisi has also shown
she is promiscuous, at the age of fourteen she is no longer a virgin’’ .
10) BETRAYAL
This is portrayed through Ade and Eddy. Eddy is considered a traitor because he
reveals their secret bedroom escapades to lawyer Salaam Sasay who promptly uses
that information to embarrass Olabisi in and her father in the court. Makalay takes
offence with Ade for revealing how she started having sex at fourteen and became
pregnant at the tender age of sixteen.
11) CULTURAL ALIENATION
To alienate yourself culturally is to detach, disengage or cut off yourself from your
people's ways of life by disowning their culture and other practices. This is usually
caused by foreign influence i.e. western education. The following characters have
alienated themselves from their people’s ways of life:- Olabisi - Yah Posseh calls her a
‘white woman’ which is a figurative way of referring to someone who has embraced
white peoples culture Dr. Koroma and Oyah are all circumcised as children but upon
receiving western education now they consider FGM backward and outdated.
12) LOVE AFFAIRS
Love is a mutual feeling of attraction between two people usually a male and a female.
Male and female relationships are a common occurrence in the book. There’s a
relationship between Ade and Oyah; Makalay and Dauda; Olabisi’s relationship with
Eddy also stands out prominently in the book.
13) DETERMINATION
This is the state/act of deciding definately and firmly. Olabisi has been portrayed as
determined girl in the society. She is aware of her rights that she is the one to decide
on her health status. She is fortunately helped by her father "Ade Jones", Oyah,
Dr.Asiatu Koroma and the law "The Judge" Lansana Kanu. This is the result of
Education and modernization as well as individual's consciousness.
14) STIGMATIZATION
Stigma is defined as the sign of disgrace which sets a person from other ‘normal’
members of the society. In the book uncircumcised girls are considered lesser beings
only fit for village riffraffs. They are abused, disrespected, looked down upon and
generally disregarded, heck, they can’t even get married. A Gborka is an outcast in the
eyes of these villagers.
15) TABOOS
A taboo is something generally forbidden or prohibited. In the book this theme
manifests itself as follows; an uncircumcised girl is expressly forbidden from calling
circumcised girls a ‘Gborka’ It is also forbidden to discuss in public how the
circumcision operation is done. Asking someone to do that is akin to asking them to
strip naked in public!.
MESSAGES FROM UNANSWERED CRIES
A message is what someone can learn from the work of art. And usually, messages are
extracted from various themes found in the work of art. The following are the sample
messages that a reader can extract from the book "Unanswered Cries".
1.Female Genital Mutilation can contribute to HIV spread.
This is through taking an example from Umu, Dr.Asiatu Koroma's daughter who was
infected through circumcision. Thus, the society has to be aware of sharing sharp tools
such as razor blades, knives, scissors, etc which are used in circumcision by being
shared among the people. A thing which is very dangerous towards people's health.
2.Family separation is the result of Poor relationship between the two couples.
Because of differences, despite getting the child together (Olabisi) by Makalay and Ade,
their relationship is no longer in existence. This has been occurring among the people
in the contemporary society. After getting a child, just before marriage, relationships
do not prolong due to various differences such as promiscuity by Ade. Thus, good
relationships between the couples has its role towards consolidating the relationship.
3.Betrayal results to conflicts among the people.
This can be proved through Eddy Vs Olabisi when Eddy exposes the relationship he
has with Olabisi to Makalay's lawyer 'Salaam Sesay' and as the result it ends into a
conflict between them. Thereby, it has to be known that betraying somebody expect
an emergence of a conflict. Thus, betrayal is harmful to people's relations.
4.Through Determination, some outdated and crude traditions can be abolished.
The society has to adopt Olabisi's example for going against the crude traditions. This
is the result of her determination acquired through one's awareness achieved through
education & modernization.
5.Confidence and courage is the core of success.
Despite being young, Olabisi is seen as a foundation towards liberating other girls who
could also face the knife of the traditions. This is achieved through being confident on
one's undertakings.
6.Lack of parental guide/care can cause bad behaviours to the child(ren).
Parents or guardians have to make sure that clear guide/care is given to their children
or relatives appropriately. Despite Ade Jones' saying "do as I say but not as I do" to his
daughter 'Bisi', it has been shown that he has not been perpendicularly guiding her
daughter on various manners such as not to earlier engage in love affairs whereas at
last shame falls on him in the court after Olabisi is discovered to already has has sex
with Edward Cole "Eddy". Thus, there must be deep follow-up of children manners by
their parents or guardians for a better child bring up.
7.Stigmatization in the society is highly based on cultural affairs.
This is by observing the way uncircumcised girl in the society is despised. For instance
an uncircumcised girl is distinguished from circumcised ones by refferring to her as
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11. 18 19