CULTURAL RESTRICTIONS FOR WOMEN

CULTURAL RESTRICTIONS FOR WOMEN

Cameroon by 2008 estimate has a population of 18,467,692 with a land area of 181,251 sq mi (469,440 sq km) and total area of 183,567 sq mi (475,440 sq km). The country is called \"Africa in miniature\" for its geological and cultural diversity with about 250 different ethnic and linguistic groups.

Most of the various ethnic groups by their tradition restrict women from certain activities and foods. In the old ages before civilization, women who experienced menstrual flow were sent to the bushes to stay until the end of their flow, for women with blood flow living amongst people was considered a taboo. In some areas since women were eaten by wild animals, they started building a tall wooden frame structure for the women to stay during their menstrual flow as a means to protect them from any wildlife attack while food was brought to them.

Most cultures hold women are not allowed to eat the gizzards of fowls it is meant only for men. And some men in these traditional settings are so engross about the whole idea that if his wife prepares fowl and the gizzard is missing she may be asked to leave her marital home.

In the Bamvele tribe around Nanga Eboko women are not allowed not eat porcupine if they do they are attacked by a rare disease similar to leprosy. The men in the village have a special hut where they prepare and eat porcupine for it is also alleged that even if the bone of this animal pierce a woman she would still be infected and that even women who have migrated to other areas if they dare eat this forbidden meat they still suffer from the same effect like in their villages. But other women in other tribe eat porcupine. Some even bars women and children from eating eggs.

Please do share by telling us about cultural practices in your country that restrict women.