INTRODUCTION
Nigerians have a different idea of beauty than in the West. They like fat girls. Before marriage, in some parts of the country, virgin girls are taken to fat houses where theyre stuffed with food for months to make them more desirable. Recently, the government banned this practice. But this hasnt stopped the fat houses from carrying on as before, secretly, as Marion Mayer-Hohdahl reports.
TEXT
0.00 Pictures start
0:02
Calabar a provincial city in southern Nigeria. With 110 million citizens, Nigeria is Africas most populous nation. Three of the countrys 250 different ethnic groups the Efigs, Efut and Qua (Kwa) live in Calabar. And, like this monument shows, men here like their women round and fat and always have.
0:22
In a tradition peculiar to this region, marriageable girls are fattened up over the course of a year. The practice has been banned by the state for about two years, but its only succeeded in pushing the fat houses underground.
0:41
Fattening was banned because it was associated with the tradition of genital mutilation where the clitoris is excised. But, Bassy is being fattened up. From early morning onwards the 21 year-old is stuffed with carbohydrates. There are two simple principles to the fattening process. Bassy has to eat as much as possible, and move as little as possible.
1.04
O-sound
Bassy Effiom
Fattening client
I like our tradition even though its been banned by the government. Ill stay here for six months. Every girl should go through this process before they get married, otherwise their parents cant do anything for them.
1:21
Calabar women have the reputation of being skilled in sexually satisfying their husbands. With the help of massages and chalk rubbed into the skin, the rolls of fat are directed into the desirable places.
1:48
Bassys mother cooks continually. Her husband is a farmer. In the countryside, its easier to finance the fattening cure because only a few essentials have to be bought. Bassys mother starts cooking at five in the morning and continues until sunset.
2.09
O-sound
Agosta Effiom
Mother
We have to maintain our traditions. When we feed Bassy well, then she will be fat and the family of her husband knows that weve cared for her. And, Ill be extremely proud.
2.24
But for many modern women, fattening is a nightmare. During the virgin fat cure the girl cannot leave the room. Only Bassys family and the fat expert can keep her company. The fat expert is hired so that every day Bassy can get fatter in the right places. To stave off boredom Bassy sings.
2:53
O-sound
Agnes Etim
Fat Expert
Ive been fattening girls for decades so they can lead a happy life with their husband. When I was young, I did the same thing and I was also cut.
3:05
In this house, whether youre fat or slim doesnt matter. But womens rights do. The Girl Power Initiative a womens rights group is protesting against the fat house culture. Its thanks to them the genital mutilation of young girls has been banned
3:23
Eka Bassey
Womens activist
The fat cure only causes problems later in life like diabetes or other complaints connected with obesity. Apart from that, the girls are isolated for a long period of time. Its against their human rights that theyre not given a choice.
3.44
The Performance Studio Workshop hopes through theatre to explain these things more clearly. Women should be against being cut. Every year, two million women are genitally mutilated without painkillers.
Free
4:06
For Ada Ene-Anwan its already too late. She was cut last year. The 20 year-old also went through the fattening process. But now shes trying to lose weight. Adas grandmother wanted her to be fat to show she was a good prospect, because fat women, according to traditional belief come from rich families.
4:29
O-Sound
Ada Ene-Anwan
Student
I was cut and fattened up. They prepared cassava roots for my meals. When I didnt eat or drink properly, I was hit with a stick.
4:58
Question: Why did they hit you?
5:00
O-sound
Ada
They beat me so Id eat more and get fat.
5:04
Most of the Calabar women are fat but a few dont want to be overweight and diet. But thats a small minority who model themselves on Western images.
5:18
O-sound
Marilyn Abia
Student
I dont believe fat women have an advantage. When youre slim you can do anything. You look better in a dress.
5:13
O-sound
Raphael Itaku
Student
I dont like women with thick waists and stomachs. Its better to have a small waist, a big behind, thick thighs and a flat stomach. Thats the kind of woman I like.
5:46
Bassys not the right woman for him. The virgin fat cure is for the oldest girl in the family. If she hasnt been fattened, then none of her sisters can go through the process. In Africa, sex is still a taboo topic within the family. But, during Bassys isolation shes also taught by the fat expert about sex, unwanted pregnancies, AIDS and rape.
6:16
After three months, todays the day Bassy can show off her extra pounds to the neighbours. Shes at the halfway mark of the cure and palm wine is brought out to celebrate. A palm tree can produce 25 litres a day of liquid. In the evening its lightly fermented, ready for the festivities.
6:48
The fat expert has to defend her reputation. So, over the last three months shes been keeping a very careful eye on the fattening process. Shes happy with the result. Bassys neighbours are suitably impressed with her new round shape.
7:18
Now, Bassys has to return to her room for another three months of fattening and isolation.
7:26
Today, shes eaten six meals. Its not so important how many extra kilos she gains. But what does count is if these kilos are in the right place. Shes fattened for the last time today. She has to sleep on the floor. Shell only get to sleep on a bed on her wedding night.
7:49
Since the government ban, the fat cures are now secretly taking place in the villages, not in Calabar city.
7:58
Ruth Ebassy was secretly initiated into the genital cutting and fattening by her mother. The 54 year-old sells useful implements on the local market. A centuries long tradition isnt going to die out overnight, even if its a punishable offence. For first time offenders the parents and fat experts get a six-month prison sentence or a fine of around 100 euros. If theyre caught a second time the expert and parents land up behind bars.
8:27
For Uba Ekpeyong the time has come after months of isolation to show herself to her family. Shes well groomed, to show everyone, shes ready for marriage.
8:44
O-sound
Uba Ekpeyong
Id do the same thing for my daughter.
8:49
Question: Why?
8:50
O-sound
Its our tradition and culture.
8:56
O-sound
Ruth Ebassy
Fat expert
The students at university think its a waste of time. But the older people want their daughters to be respected as women. The girls have to be fattened before they can marry a man.
9:14
After 90 days Uba leaves her room. Shortly before, she was told news of a man who was interested in her. The feminists have a lot of work ahead of them if theyre to break the power of this tradition.
Text ends 9:30
Pix end 9:44
CREDITS:
Reporter: Marion Mayer-Hohdahl
Camera: Moses Makokha
VT editor Peter Mueck
AKM: Maikani Impressions of Africa
CD S 10 A-01
Nr.3 Pipunuguwo
Femmes dAfrique Collection
SD 72 CDD 9027/Bono
Nr. 1 Sali Sidibe
Nigerians have a different idea of beauty than in the West. They like fat girls. Before marriage, in some parts of the country, virgin girls are taken to fat houses where theyre stuffed with food for months to make them more desirable. Recently, the government banned this practice. But this hasnt stopped the fat houses from carrying on as before, secretly, as Marion Mayer-Hohdahl reports.
TEXT
0.00 Pictures start
0:02
Calabar a provincial city in southern Nigeria. With 110 million citizens, Nigeria is Africas most populous nation. Three of the countrys 250 different ethnic groups the Efigs, Efut and Qua (Kwa) live in Calabar. And, like this monument shows, men here like their women round and fat and always have.
0:22
In a tradition peculiar to this region, marriageable girls are fattened up over the course of a year. The practice has been banned by the state for about two years, but its only succeeded in pushing the fat houses underground.
0:41
Fattening was banned because it was associated with the tradition of genital mutilation where the clitoris is excised. But, Bassy is being fattened up. From early morning onwards the 21 year-old is stuffed with carbohydrates. There are two simple principles to the fattening process. Bassy has to eat as much as possible, and move as little as possible.
1.04
O-sound
Bassy Effiom
Fattening client
I like our tradition even though its been banned by the government. Ill stay here for six months. Every girl should go through this process before they get married, otherwise their parents cant do anything for them.
1:21
Calabar women have the reputation of being skilled in sexually satisfying their husbands. With the help of massages and chalk rubbed into the skin, the rolls of fat are directed into the desirable places.
1:48
Bassys mother cooks continually. Her husband is a farmer. In the countryside, its easier to finance the fattening cure because only a few essentials have to be bought. Bassys mother starts cooking at five in the morning and continues until sunset.
2.09
O-sound
Agosta Effiom
Mother
We have to maintain our traditions. When we feed Bassy well, then she will be fat and the family of her husband knows that weve cared for her. And, Ill be extremely proud.
2.24
But for many modern women, fattening is a nightmare. During the virgin fat cure the girl cannot leave the room. Only Bassys family and the fat expert can keep her company. The fat expert is hired so that every day Bassy can get fatter in the right places. To stave off boredom Bassy sings.
2:53
O-sound
Agnes Etim
Fat Expert
Ive been fattening girls for decades so they can lead a happy life with their husband. When I was young, I did the same thing and I was also cut.
3:05
In this house, whether youre fat or slim doesnt matter. But womens rights do. The Girl Power Initiative a womens rights group is protesting against the fat house culture. Its thanks to them the genital mutilation of young girls has been banned
3:23
Eka Bassey
Womens activist
The fat cure only causes problems later in life like diabetes or other complaints connected with obesity. Apart from that, the girls are isolated for a long period of time. Its against their human rights that theyre not given a choice.
3.44
The Performance Studio Workshop hopes through theatre to explain these things more clearly. Women should be against being cut. Every year, two million women are genitally mutilated without painkillers.
Free
4:06
For Ada Ene-Anwan its already too late. She was cut last year. The 20 year-old also went through the fattening process. But now shes trying to lose weight. Adas grandmother wanted her to be fat to show she was a good prospect, because fat women, according to traditional belief come from rich families.
4:29
O-Sound
Ada Ene-Anwan
Student
I was cut and fattened up. They prepared cassava roots for my meals. When I didnt eat or drink properly, I was hit with a stick.
4:58
Question: Why did they hit you?
5:00
O-sound
Ada
They beat me so Id eat more and get fat.
5:04
Most of the Calabar women are fat but a few dont want to be overweight and diet. But thats a small minority who model themselves on Western images.
5:18
O-sound
Marilyn Abia
Student
I dont believe fat women have an advantage. When youre slim you can do anything. You look better in a dress.
5:13
O-sound
Raphael Itaku
Student
I dont like women with thick waists and stomachs. Its better to have a small waist, a big behind, thick thighs and a flat stomach. Thats the kind of woman I like.
5:46
Bassys not the right woman for him. The virgin fat cure is for the oldest girl in the family. If she hasnt been fattened, then none of her sisters can go through the process. In Africa, sex is still a taboo topic within the family. But, during Bassys isolation shes also taught by the fat expert about sex, unwanted pregnancies, AIDS and rape.
6:16
After three months, todays the day Bassy can show off her extra pounds to the neighbours. Shes at the halfway mark of the cure and palm wine is brought out to celebrate. A palm tree can produce 25 litres a day of liquid. In the evening its lightly fermented, ready for the festivities.
6:48
The fat expert has to defend her reputation. So, over the last three months shes been keeping a very careful eye on the fattening process. Shes happy with the result. Bassys neighbours are suitably impressed with her new round shape.
7:18
Now, Bassys has to return to her room for another three months of fattening and isolation.
7:26
Today, shes eaten six meals. Its not so important how many extra kilos she gains. But what does count is if these kilos are in the right place. Shes fattened for the last time today. She has to sleep on the floor. Shell only get to sleep on a bed on her wedding night.
7:49
Since the government ban, the fat cures are now secretly taking place in the villages, not in Calabar city.
7:58
Ruth Ebassy was secretly initiated into the genital cutting and fattening by her mother. The 54 year-old sells useful implements on the local market. A centuries long tradition isnt going to die out overnight, even if its a punishable offence. For first time offenders the parents and fat experts get a six-month prison sentence or a fine of around 100 euros. If theyre caught a second time the expert and parents land up behind bars.
8:27
For Uba Ekpeyong the time has come after months of isolation to show herself to her family. Shes well groomed, to show everyone, shes ready for marriage.
8:44
O-sound
Uba Ekpeyong
Id do the same thing for my daughter.
8:49
Question: Why?
8:50
O-sound
Its our tradition and culture.
8:56
O-sound
Ruth Ebassy
Fat expert
The students at university think its a waste of time. But the older people want their daughters to be respected as women. The girls have to be fattened before they can marry a man.
9:14
After 90 days Uba leaves her room. Shortly before, she was told news of a man who was interested in her. The feminists have a lot of work ahead of them if theyre to break the power of this tradition.
Text ends 9:30
Pix end 9:44
CREDITS:
Reporter: Marion Mayer-Hohdahl
Camera: Moses Makokha
VT editor Peter Mueck
AKM: Maikani Impressions of Africa
CD S 10 A-01
Nr.3 Pipunuguwo
Femmes dAfrique Collection
SD 72 CDD 9027/Bono
Nr. 1 Sali Sidibe