The fattening room is a practice in Nigeria whereby women or adolescent girls are kept away from their companions, societal interactions and also from performing their customary duties.[1] This period may range from three months to seven years depending on the wealth of their father.

Background

The purpose of the fattening room is to groom and raise girls or intended brides according to the traditional norms of the people. This is to enable them in taking care of their prospective husbands and their future homes. A fattening room is like a traditional school where the lady or bride is groomed into a good mother, a wife, with an overall good character, that will be attractive to men.[2] Another perspective argues that the main purpose of the fattening room is used to create plump women. This is because the society that practice it believe that surplus flesh ensures greater chances of fertility and a healthy baby.[3][1] For this reason the maidens are fed on a variety of food and are taught new rituals and skills. The fattening room is also used as a retreat prior to a major social change in a person's life.[1]

Modern view of Fattening Room

The practice of fattening room is dominantly practiced in South Eastern part of Nigeria, especially among the Efiks. This cultural practice is gradually waning down, though not entirely. However, it has become part of the tourist attractions among the Efiks.[4] Younger generations are resisting the fattening room culture due to some practices like female genital mutilation, overfeeding the bride, and the length of time it takes to be in the fattening room. More so, this practice has been criticized to be associated with rituals that are not acceptable by Christians.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Brink, Pamela J. (1989-11-01). "The fattening room among the Annang of Nigeria". Medical Anthropology. 12 (1): 131–143. doi:10.1080/01459740.1989.9966016. ISSN 0145-9740. PMID 2486126.
  2. 1 2 Akin-Otiko, Akinmayowa; Eshiet, I, Idongesit; Olokodana-James, Oluwatoyin; Edisua, Merab Yta (2022). RE-EXAMINING GENDER, GENDER ROLES AND IDENTITY IN NIGERIA: THE FATTENING ROOM TRADITION OF THE EFIK (Report of Fieldwork) (PDF). Lagos: Lagos-African Cluster Centre, University of Lagos, Nigeria. pp. 1 & 2. ISBN 978-978-998-458-9.
  3. ↑ Kocjan, Deirdre K.; Giannini, A. James (1993), Giannini, A. James; Slaby, Andrew E. (eds.), "The History of Obesity", The Eating Disorders, New York, NY: Springer, pp. 22–28, doi:10.1007/978-1-4613-8300-0_3, ISBN 978-1-4613-8300-0, retrieved 2023-03-10
  4. ↑ Ogaboh Agba, A.M.; Ikoh, Moses U.; Bassey, Antigha O.; Ushie, Ekwuore M. (2010-01-01). "Tourism industry impact on Efik's culture, Nigeria". International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research. 4 (4): 355–365. doi:10.1108/17506181011081523. ISSN 1750-6182.
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