Africa is a continent rich in culture and traditions, some of which date back thousands of years. While some of these traditions are fascinating and awe-inspiring, others are bizarre and strange, especially when it comes to sexual practices.
Virginity testing is one of the customs still in practice in South Africa. Among the Zulu ethnic group, it is known as Umhlanga. During the test, a girl is examined in an isolated room to check if her hymen is still intact. If she passes, she receives a certificate of virginity.
Another sexual tradition is sexual cleansing, which is common in rural Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, and other African countries. It involves a woman having unprotected sex with a “hyena,” a person who could be a male sex worker, a selected future husband, or someone paid by the woman’s family. The custom is meant to help girls become good wives and is carried out on three separate occasions.
In Uganda, the Banyankole tribe carries out a practice similar to the virginity test, known as potency testing. The groom-to-be must prove his virility to the aunt of the bride by having sex with her. If he passes the test, the couple is allowed to consummate their marriage.
Finally, wife stealing is an annual ritual practised by the Wodaabe tribe, a subgroup of the Fulani ethnic group in Niger, Senegal, and Cameroon. Women are allowed to have as many husbands as they wish and can select their preferred mate from a group of men who put on a spectacular mating dance. Women are free to have sex with any mate they choose before settling on the right one.
These traditions may seem strange to outsiders, but they are an important part of African culture. However, it’s important to note that some of these customs have harmful consequences, such as female genital mutilation, which is now banned in many African countries.
While Africa is a continent filled with fascinating and interesting traditions, some of its sexual practices are strange and bizarre. While some of these customs are harmless, others can have serious negative consequences for those involved
