NaijaPositive.com

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Fat Houses

'Fat Houses' exist in Calabar where the people believe that a woman should be fattened or plumped up in the right places to make her look more feminine and attractive to male suitors. As a result women are fattened and shaped before marriage and this process takes 6 months whereby the women are isolated and fattened, basically fed without exercising during the fattening process.

While their family members can visit them they are not permitted to go outside their fattening room except once after their initial 3 month stay, to show their fellow villagers their progress. During this period the women assigned to fattening the women, which usually are the mothers of the girl/women being fattened acts as mentors, who teach, guide and care for the well-being of those being fattened.

During the fattening period the women are taught about sex and how to sexually satisfy their future husbands, hence the reason why Calabar women are known for their sexual prowess. They are taught how to massage, caress and do other things deemed necessary to satisfy their future husbands. They are also taught about unwanted pregnancies, aids and other sexual concerns. Suitors who show interest thus have much to look forward to.

Although 'Fat Houses' were legally banned in Calabar a couple of years ago, the tradition of fattening girls/women before marriage is still being practiced by some people in the village. This is a tradition that had prevailed for a long time and would take time to eradicate.

While those that are against fattening for health reasons as well as female circumcision which some of these Calabar women also practice to deter fornication, or sex before marriage, are strong advocates against both practices; those that believe in it embrace it as their culture and see no reason why the legal ban should seek to eradicate their traditional practice, so they continue to do it privately in the villages. Also, while some shun female circumcision that is no longer widely practiced in these areas, they still believe in fattening and the continuing operation of 'Fat Houses'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5QypK_0Ofg&feature=related

Cxsm
12th March '08

© Cxsm 2008 All Rights Reserved

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm