Bound by Culture, Dreaming of Freedom
Bound by Culture, Dreaming of Freedom - A young Maasai girl stands before her mud hut, her hollow eyes reflecting a childhood shaped by tradition and sacrifice. “If I refuse, I will bring shame to my family,” she explains, her voice a mix of resignation and sorrow. “They say this is the only way to ensure I am accepted, to keep my family safe from poverty. But I feel like I’m losing myself in it. I wish I could have a choice. I wish I could stay a child, to learn, to dream, but my path is already set for me.” In her remote village, where many families cannot afford formal schooling, parents often see early marriage as a way to protect their daughters from poverty. For Maasai girls, childhood ends with the rite of passage—a ceremony that includes female genital mutilation (FGM), seen as a prerequisite for marriage. This deeply ingrained tradition underscores the harsh realities faced by girls in communities where opportunities are limited, and the weight of cultural expectations looms heavy.
- Epson Premium Luster 260g
- Paper Only or Black Square Profile with Wood Picture Frame
- Photographed in Kenya
